Taylor Lake
About Taylor Lake
Taylor Lake is a 55-acre lake near Hill City in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 23 feet, and has roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.4 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 3 fish species here, including rainbow trout, brook trout, and tullibee (cisco). The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Taylor Lake
- 55 acres, up to 84 feet deep, near Hill City
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: rainbow trout, brook trout, and tullibee (cisco)
- Average water clarity around 14.4 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 55 acres
- Max depth
- 84 ft
- Average depth
- 23 ft
- Shoreline
- 1.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 14.4 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 18 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
Best For
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 3
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Taylor Lake
Compare Taylor Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Hill Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Hill City794 acres
3.7 miles away
Split Hand Lake
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids1,374 acres
4.8 miles away
Mountain Ash Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Hill City101 acres
5.2 miles away
Dinner Pail Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Hill City47 acres
5.3 miles away
Little Split Hand Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids244 acres
5.9 miles away
Smith Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Hill City43 acres
8.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Taylor Lake?
Taylor Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Hill City. It covers 55 acres and reaches 84 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Taylor Lake?
Taylor Lake covers 55 acres with about 1.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 84 feet and its average depth is about 23 feet.
What fish can you catch at Taylor Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, and Tullibee (Cisco). A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Taylor Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Taylor Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Taylor Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Taylor Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Taylor Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.