Description
Tait Lake is a relatively shallow, moderately-sized lake. Water clarity is good, with an average summer visibility of 8 feet. It is located 12 miles north of Lutsen, Minnesota in the Superior National Forest. Tait is a mesotrophic lake, with low to moderate levels of nutrients, good water clarity, and minimal or no summer algae blooms.
Tait Lake supports a diverse cool- and warm-water fish community, including Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. The Walleye population is self-sustaining, and recruitment appears to be very consistent, as 13 different year classes were sampled during the latest fisheries survey. Bluegill have increased significantly in abundance since 2011, a trend that is common to many northeastern Minnesota lakes.
Tait Lake is a relatively shallow, moderately-sized lake. It is located 12 miles north of Lutsen, Minnesota in the Superior National Forest. Its watershed is primarily composed of forest and wetland land cover types and it makes up the headwaters of the Poplar River watershed. The eastern portion of the lake is developed; the western portion is undeveloped except for the public access.
Water clarity is good, with an average summer visibility over 2 meters. The lake has low to moderate levels of nutrients, good water clarity, and minimal or no summer algae blooms.
Because of the oligotrophic state of the lake and its rocky bottom, the plant community is sparse. The plants that are there show a high level of diversity without any invasive species.
Tait supports a diverse cool- and warm-water fish community, including Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed. The Walleye population is self-sustaining, and recruitment appears to be very consistent, as 13 different year classes were sampled during the latest fisheries survey. Bluegill have increased significantly in abundance since 2011, a trend that is common to many northeastern Minnesota lakes.
Tait Lake is a good representative of shallow water Canadian Shield lakes in northeastern Minnesota.
Location
Data
County: Cook
Ecoregion: Northern Lakes and Forests (Canadian Shield)
Surface Area: 355 acres
Littoral Area: 355 acres
Shoreline Length: 7 miles
Maximum Depth: 15 feet
Classification: Tier 2
DNR Lake No.: 16038400
MPCA report
Depth
