Fish of the Watershed

Why the Watershed Supports Biodiversity

Exceptional water quality is essential for supporting biodiversity. Cold, clear, oxygen-rich water, combined with deep basins, wetlands, and healthy natural shorelines throughout the watershed, allows coldwater, coolwater, and warmwater species to thrive together in one connected system. The watershed’s sandy soils, forests, and wetlands remain largely intact and help filter potential pollutants before they reach the lakes and tributaries.

• The Crystal River is a Type 3 designated trout stream. A small number of rainbow trout run up the river in the spring, and some coho and chinook salmon annually stray into the river each fall. The river also supports a limited population of smallmouth bass and panfish.
• Glen Lake has a long and diverse fish stocking history and remains one of Michigan’s best inland lake trout fisheries. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to stock species that cannot fully sustain themselves. Last spring alone, the DNR stocked 20,699 rainbow trout and 14,900 lake trout in Glen Lake.
• Little Glen Lake is much shallower than Big Glen and has been traditionally regarded as a premier inland perch fishery. While fish may move freely between Big and Little Glen, each species tends to favor one lake or the other.
• Hatlem Creek is a Type 1 designated trout stream. It’s also known to have large runs of emerald shiners at certain times of the year.

Most Common Fish of the Watershed

Casting a line? These are some of the fish you might be lucky enough to catch:

• Bluegill are common panfish found in shallow, vegetated areas. They provide family-friendly fishing opportunities and serve as important prey for bass and pike.
• Bullhead catfish live near the bottom in quiet bays and soft-bottom areas. They tolerate a wide range of conditions. During spawning season, bullhead sometimes gather in dense schools that stand out against the clear, sandy waters of lakes like Fisher Lake.
• Cisco (lake herring) are highly sensitive to water quality and require cold, well-oxygenated water. While they have disappeared from many inland lakes, their presence in Glen Lake signals excellent water quality and a healthy, resilient ecosystem.
• Coho salmon can be found in a rare, self-sustaining population in Glen Lake. This makes it one of very few inland lakes in the region with this distinction.
• Emerald shiners are small, silvery baitfish that often travel in large schools in rivers. They play an important role in the food web, serving as a key food source for larger fish, birds, and other wildlife.
• Lake trout are coldwater predators that live in the deep, clear waters of Glen Lake. They require cold temperatures and high oxygen levels. Stocking helps maintain a high-quality inland lake trout fishery.
• Largemouth bass prefer warm, shallow areas with abundant vegetation and structure. Anglers often find them near docks, fallen trees, and weedy bays.
• Longnose gar are native predators that inhabit shallow, weedy areas and river mouths. Their ancient appearance and habit of floating near the surface often cause them to resemble a log.
• Pumpkinseed sunfish are colorful fish that prefer shallow water with vegetation. Their presence reflects healthy shoreline and nearshore habitat.
• Rainbow trout are stocked to provide seasonal and open-water fishing opportunities. In winter, they often cruise just below the ice, making them a favorite of ice anglers.
• Rock bass are hardy, structure-oriented fish commonly found near rocks, docks, and woody cover. They can be abundant in clear lakes like Glen Lake.
• Smallmouth bass thrive in clear, cool water with rocky shorelines. They are a highly valued sportfish and are well suited to Glen Lake’s clean-water conditions.
• White sucker migrate into tributaries to spawn in spring. They play an important ecological role by recycling nutrients and providing food for larger fish.
• Yellow perch are among the most abundant fish in Glen Lake. They are an important food source for larger predators and a popular panfish for anglers of all ages.

Stewardship is Essential for Maintaining a Thriving Ecosystem

Protecting water quality protects fish. Everyone who lives in or visits the watershed can make a difference.

You can help by:

• Obeying fish and game laws. Please observe creel limits and take only the fish that you need. The collective impact of human fishing can devastate a fish population.
• Preserving natural shorelines with native plants and minimal hard surfaces
• Maintaining septic systems and pumping them every three to five years
• Reducing or avoiding fertilizer use near the shoreline
• Preventing invasive species by washing boats and gear before moving between water bodies
• Don’t dump your bait! Dispose of unused bait only in covered trash receptacles–not in the water

These everyday actions add up. When we care for the land and water, we protect the fish as well as the traditions, recreation, and sense of place that make this watershed so special.