Taft

Taft Lake is a 12.4-acre lake located in the City of Richfield. This pond has been managed as a Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) pond since 2002 and is regularly stocked with Bluegill and Yellow Perch. In 2016, the City of Richfield in collaboration with FiN, installed several updates to improve fishing access at Taft Lake. A new handicapped-accessible fishing pier was installed on the Southwest side of the lake, and six groups of fishing blocks spaced evenly throughout the lake were installed. The lake is surrounded by park land and has a paved walking trail around the entire lake. Other amenities include close parking to the pier, restrooms, and ball fields in the park. In 2017, a Standard Survey was conducted to assess the gamefish population. Nine Northern Pike were captured in the single gill net during this survey. Northern Pike measured from 19.1 to 30.9 inches in length, with a mean length of 23.9 inches. Northern Pike averaged 3.04 pounds. The most abundant species sampled during this survey was Bluegill. Lengths of Bluegills ranged from 3.1 to 7.0 inches, with a mean length of 4.1 inches. Black Crappie trap net catches were 7.3 per net. Black Crappie measured from 5.7 to 11.3 inches in length, with a mean length of 7.0 inches. One Walleye was captured in the gill net during this survey, which measured 19.7 inches in length. Three other Walleye were captured with trap nets with a mean length of 19.6 inches. Walleye are not stocked in the lake. Other species captured in low numbers during this survey included Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Tiger Muskellunge, White Crappie, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Taft Lake is in lake class 30 and is in the Fishing in the Neighborhood program. Taft Lake was surveyed during the summer of 2012 as part of the lake's regular sampling regime. Taft Lake is located within the city limits of Richfield. It is surrounded by city land, has a public fishing pier, and has numerous shoreline fishing opportunities. Bluegill abundance has decreased since 2001 and considered below average for this lake type. Bluegill mean length was 4.37 inches (3.15-5.94 inches) and the population is dominated by smaller fish. Bluegill growth rates were below average. Age analysis revealed limited and sporadic reproduction with representatives from the 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2011 year classes. This is the best case scenario since multiple ages of blue gill were stocked in 2012 prior to the survey. Black crappie abundance has decreased since 2001 and considered below average for this lake type. Black crappie mean length was 7.31 inches (6.34-8.74 inches) and is composed mostly smaller fish. Black crappie growth rates were below average. Age analysis revealed limited and sporadic reproduction with representatives from the 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010 year classes. Walleye abundance was greater than 2001, and considered above average for this lake type. Walleye mean length was 14.29 inches (12.60-16.30 inches) and population is composed of smaller individuals. Walleye growth rates were below average. Age analysis revealed 2008, 2009, and 2010 year classes. Yellow perch abundance has increased since 2001 and considered above average for this lake type. Yellow perch mean length was 6.05 inches (4.53-9.45 inches) and is dominated by smaller fish. Yellow perch growth rates were below average. Age analysis revealed representatives from all year classes from 2006 to 2011 with strong 2008 and 2009 year classes. Other fish species sampled in the 2012 survey include black bullhead, common carp, golden shiner, hybrid sunfish, northern pike, white crappie, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Water quality measurements were taken on 7/23/2012. The sampling site was taken in 43.0 feet of water. Water clarity was measured with a secchi disk reading of 3.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen ranged from 0.1 to 2.5 parts-per-million. Oxygen levels this low can lead to fish kills though none were reported to the local area fisheries office.

Taft Lake is 12.4-acres with a maximum depth of 45 feet and is encompassed within a Richfield city park. Fishing opportunities consists of a fishing pier and several areas of open shoreline for shore angling. Two open-water aeration systems are present to provide oxygen to a depth of 32 feet. Taft Lake is managed as a Kid's Fishing Pond, and the program has stocked black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish.Fifteen fish species were sampled during the 2001 population assessment, and the dominant fish species was black bullhead. Other fish species present that provide some angling opportunities are crappies, bluegill, and largemouth bass. The abundance of crappie is about average for this lake type with an average size of 6 inches in length. Bluegill abundance was average for this lake type with an average length of 5 inches. The practice of catch and release of largemouth bass may help reduce the number of black bullhead and smaller bluegills while providing an opportunity for anglers to catch larger fish.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch in Taft. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Taft. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Taft has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Taft is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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