Tait Lake
About Tait Lake
Tait Lake is a 355-acre lake near Lutsen in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. Ice typically goes out around May 4, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Tait Lake
- 355 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Lutsen
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 7.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 355 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 355 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
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 6
- Game fish
- 5
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 4
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 28, 2012
- Latest
- May 17, 2013
- Most recent
- May 14, 2022
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Tait Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Lichen Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen253 acres
2.1 miles away
Bouder Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais129 acres
2.9 miles away
Holly Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen76 acres
2.9 miles away
Gust Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais143 acres
2.9 miles away
Kinogami Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen111 acres
3 miles away
Crescent Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais755 acres
3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tait Lake?
Tait Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Lutsen. It covers 355 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Tait Lake?
Tait Lake covers 355 acres with about 6.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Tait Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Tait Lake?
Yes. Tait Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Tait Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Tait 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 Tait Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Tait Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Tait Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 4, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 28, 2012 and the latest is May 17, 2013.