I'd be more on board with your lake theory if Minnesota has more lakes if using Wisconsin 's criteria. Otherwise whoever has the largest lakes can just change the definition of lake to weed out everyone else. As far as I know, a lake is simply a body of water surrounded by land. Ponds are just small lakes. Some seas are just large lakes.
It literally says if you use Wisconsin's criteria, Wisconsin comes out ahead. You're just repeating the same argument. The only new info is the USGS puts Michigan ahead but doesn't state the criteria used so it's hard to say. And Wisconsin comes ahead of you count surface area and the portions of the the various great lakes residing in each state.
Since you weren't specific, here's the source paragraphs for both claims:
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota technically has 11,842 lakes. Those lakes are defined as bodies of water 10 acres or more.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, Wisconsin has 15,074 "documented" lakes. Those are defined as bodies of water 2.2 acres or more. Of those lakes, about 6,000 are named.
15k is larger than 12k.
Last claim:
Finally, Minnesota still comes out ahead by counting surface area covered by lakes. But by adding what both states claim for Lake Superior and Michigan, Wisconsin has twice as much lake surface area.
Emphasis mine.
Did you not link the article you thought? Cause it clearly mentions both states. Michigan is definitely mentioned more than just Lake Michigan.