Takucmich

Takucmich is a 369-acre lake located 33 miles northwest of Ely in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It is comparable to Amoeber, Ester, and Wisini in the Tower Area. Much of the shoreline is bedrock and rubble that rapidly drops to depths exceeding 100 feet, and maximum depth is 137 feet. Few shallow bays are present and aquatic vegetation is sparse. The lake was thermally stratified during the survey and Secchi visibility was 15 feet through clear water. Surface temperature was 67 °F and temperature at 100 feet was 39 °F, with the lake descending below 56 °F at 25 feet. A targeted TDO3 survey on 07/30/2025 found a 92-foot band of optimal lake trout habitat. As temperature data and past surveys indicate, Takucmich supports robust cold-water fish populations with sparse numbers of cool-water fish present in the limited shallow habitat available. Access is most common by a 17-rod portage from Lac la Croix, with a 31-rod portage to Tesaker connecting it to southern canoe routes. Portages to Trygg and Trillium are both dead ends at their respective lakes. The surrounding landscape consists of dark outcrops of granitic bedrock that fall into striking cliffs in several spots. An aged canopy of jack pine shades mixed deciduous undergrowth and is interspersed with pockets of old-growth white and red pine. Three U.S. Forest Service campsites are present on the north end of the lake. Total catch in deep gill nets of 25.9 fish/net was the highest sampled out of Takucmich. Cold-water fish populations were composed of cisco, lake trout, and burbot. Low numbers of quality-sized smallmouth were also present in the nets. Cisco abundance (19.2/net) was above average for Takucmich. Lengths ranged from 7 to 13 inches with an average length of 9 inches. The cisco population in Takucmich has been quite stable in abundance and size structure, barring a low catch in the previous survey. Lake trout numbers (3.8/net) were notably high compared to past surveys. Lengths ranged from 12.5 to 27 inches with an average length of 20.5 inches the highest sampled to date. Lake trout aged with otoliths ranged from 4 to 15 years old. Trout stomachs, particularly those of mature fish, were often empty. The survey's proximity to the lake trout spawning season may have factored in both catch rate and lack of diets. Burbot numbers (2.6/net) were quite high for both Takucmich and other cold-water lake surveys in the Tower Area. Lengths ranged from 11 to 22 inches with an average length of 16 inches which was somewhat low for Takucmich. The total catch in shallow nets of 19.2/net was high compared to past surveys. A notable haul of rock bass (12.0/net) is responsible for this apparently drastic increase, and they constituted almost 2/3rds of the catch. White sucker were present in above average numbers, and the remainder of the catch was a smattering of bluegill, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. A lone northern pike and a large tadpole madtom were also sampled. Smallmouth bass numbers (0.5/net) were similar to past surveys. Low sample sizes and variable effort make drawing any conclusions difficult. Gill nets are poor at sampling bass populations, which are often smart enough to swim around them. Lengths in shallow nets ranged from 11 to almost 15 inches with an average length of 12.5 inches. Smallmouth in deep nets were larger, ranging from 13 to 18.5 inches with an average length of 15.5 inches. Multitudes of smallmouth could be observed from camp and while paddling shorelines. They appear well established and of sizes compelling to anglers. The northern pike catch was the lowest sampled to date. The lone fish captured was 26 inches long. Northern pike have been both absent and relatively abundant in previous surveys. Whether this variability is due to sporadic recruitment or habitat use is unknown. Shallow vegetated habitat is rare in Takucmich and could be a limiting factor.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Takucmich Lake on July 31st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 127.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 27.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 119.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 92.1 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.0 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2013 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Takucmich Lake on July 31st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 127.9 feet), the water temperature decreased below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 27.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 119.7 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 92.1 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 4.0 degrees C (39.2 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2013 also indicates suitable oxythermal habitat. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Takucmich. 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 Takucmich. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Takucmich has a maximum depth of 150 feet and a mean depth of 40 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Takucmich is from 2025.

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