Taylor

Taylor Lake is a small, moderately fertile lake located 4.5 miles southwest of the city of Aitkin in Aitkin County. The shoreline surrounding the lake consists of marshland, bogland, and small hills covered with mixed hardwoods. Only a small amount of shoreline development exists along the east shore. The lake's shape is characterized by three basins with the eastern most basin largely connected to the middle basin while the western most basin is connected by a narrow channel. Each basin has deep water depths, but half of the lake's area consists of water depths less than 15 feet. Since an abundance of shallow water acreage characterize this basin along with good fertility, this type of lake may experience low levels of oxygen during the winter which can cause partial or severe fish kills. According to historical oxygen monitoring data, inadequate oxygen levels were reported during several different winter seasons which did result in some degree of winterkill. In the event of winterkill, the lake's fishery may consist of surviving species and/or of migrating fish from Cedar Lake via Cedar Creek during high water periods. Currently, the lake is managed for black crappie, northern pike, and largemouth bass.The evaluation portion of the current management plan called for a population assessment in 2001 to evaluate the status of the fish population. During the week of June 5, 2001, an assessment was conducted utilizing gill and trap nets. Black crappie were not sampled during this assessment and in 1986, but historical records indicate that good numbers of crappie have been sampled in the past by DNR netting gear and local anglers. Dramatic fluctuations in the crappie population most likely result from the occurrence of some degree of fish winterkill. Northern pike numbers were found within a normal range for this type of lake with their lengths extending from 9.1 to 29.1 inches. Two-thirds of the northern pike sampled were greater than 23.0 inches in length. The abundance of largemouth bass was above normal along with their average weight. Northern pike and largemouth bass growth was normal at all ages when compared to statewide averages. Other fish species sampled included bluegill sunfish, brown bullhead, dog fish, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow perch. Brown bullhead were normal in abundance while bluegill sunfish, dog fish, and yellow perch were sampled at levels below normal for lakes of this type.Since Taylor Lake lacks a public access, fishing enthusiasts will have to obtain permission from a private landowner to access the lake. Anglers who target northern pike or largemouth bass are likely to encounter low numbers of pike that are quality sized or a good number of smaller largemouth bass. Panfish numbers appear to be sparse at this time. Because the lake has the potential for some degree of fish winterkill during favorable conditions, the fish population may be subject to consistent change. Shoreline property owners and surrounding land users within the watershed can maintain or improve water quality by protecting the existing abundance of natural shoreline, updating outdated or failing septic systems, using phosphorus free fertilizer (if needed) on surrounding lawns or crop land, utilizing crop farming practices that reduce run-off, limiting aquatic plant removal or disturbance, and limiting construction of impervious surfaces near the shoreline.

The gill net index for northern pike was above the lake class 33 third quartile. The trap net indices for golden shiner and black crappie were above their respective lake class 33 third quartiles. The trap net indices for black bullhead and bluegill were below their respective lake class 33 first quartiles. The gill net index for pumpkinseed (pumpkinseed were not sampled in trap nets) was below the lake class 33 first quartile. Nop (51 of 117 aged) ranged from one to six years of age with strong year classes indicated for 1988 and 1989. The growth rate for the first annual increment was faster than normal. Growth rates for the third and fourth annual increments were slower than normal. Total length at formation of the fifth annulus was normal. Bluegill (5 of 5 aged) ranged from three to eight years of age. Black crappie (54 of 110 aged) ranged from one to five years of age with strong years classes indicated in 1988 and 1990. The growth rate for the second annual increment was faster than normal. Yep (12 of 12 aged) ranged from four to six years of age with over one-half of the sample from the 1986 year class. Growth rates for the second and third annual increments were faster than normal. Growth rates for the fifth and sixth annual increments were slower than normal. The abundance of black bullhead has decreased from the 1986 assessment to the 1991 assessment (Wilcoxon's signed rank test, p=0.125, n=8).

The population indices for golden shiner, black bullhead, brown bullhead and yellow perch are between the first and third regional quartiles. The index for northern pike is above the third quartile, while the indices for yellow bullhead, bluegill and pumpkinseed are below the first regional quartile. Catch indices for northern pike golden shiner and brown bullhead are between the first and third area quartiles. The catch indices for yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed and bluegill are below the first area quartile. Catch indices for brown bullhead and yellow perch are above the third area quartile. Northern pike (26 of 55 aged) ranged from two to four years old with age three dominating the sample with seventy three percent (19 of 26 fish) of the sample. Growth rates for all four increments are normal. Pumpkinseed (5 of 6 aged) ranged from three to six years of age with ages three and four each having two fish. Growth the first, third and sixth increments are normal. Growth the second increment is twenty one percent slower than normal and the fifth increment is 55 percent faster than normal. The overall growth rate through age six is normal. Bluegill (2 of 4 aged) were both age three fish. Growth was normal for all three increments. Northern pike abundance increased significantly for 3 gillnets. The mean length decreased from 20.1 inches in 1983 to 17.7 inches in 1986. The decrease mean length is being caused by the fact that in 1983 there were no fish sampled less than 17.0 inches, in 1986 thirty eight percent (21 of 55 fish) of the sample was less than 17.0 inches. Samples of other fish caught in the 1986 survey are so small, because of the winter kills of 1984-85 and 1985-86. That very little can be said their population structure.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed in Taylor. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Taylor. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Taylor has a maximum depth of 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Taylor is from 2001. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

No invasive species are on record for Taylor in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.