Minnesota · DNR survey data
Taft Lake
Taft Lake covers 14 acres in Hennepin County, running to 45 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2017. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeFair numbers3.3per gill net14"Typical22"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2017Lengths measured · 4 fish
2017Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2012Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2001Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeStocked · 2025Just a few3.3per gill net22"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2017Lengths measured · 9 fish
2017Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2012Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2001Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillStocked · 2025Just a few10.4per trap net3"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 130 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2017Lengths measured · 123 fish
2017Lengths measured · 7 fish
2012Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 198 fish
2001Lengths measured · 496 fish
1994CrappieStocked · 2023Just a few4.2per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 70 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2017Lengths measured · 63 fish
2017Lengths measured · 7 fish
2012Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 87 fish
2001Lengths measured · 978 fish
1994Yellow perchStocked · 2025One of the best around49.5per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2012 + 2017Lengths measured · 6 fish
2017Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 118 fish
2012Lengths measured · 23 fish
2001Lengths measured · 8 fish
1994Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Present in recent DNR surveys.
No recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Bluegill Sunfish | 125 adults |
| 2025 | Northern Pike | 35 adults |
| 2025 | Yellow Perch | 700 adults |
| 2024 | Bluegill Sunfish | 50 adults |
| 2024 | Northern Pike | 25 adults |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 100 adults |
| 2023 | Bluegill Sunfish | 44 adults |
| 2022 | Bluegill Sunfish | 400 adults |
| 2022 | Northern Pike | 24 adults |
| 2021 | Bluegill Sunfish | 205 adults |
| 2021 | Northern Pike | 17 adults |
| 2020 | Bluegill Sunfish | 102 adults |
Stocking records before 2020 omitted.
Recent reports
Taft Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Taft Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Taft Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Nokomis Lake · 201 ac · 1.1 mi
- Hiawatha Lake · 53 ac · 2 mi
- Smith Pond · 7 ac · 2.6 mi
- Snelling Lake · 103 ac · 3.2 mi
- Powderhorn Lake · 11 ac · 3.4 mi
- Harriet Lake · 341 ac · 3.4 mi
- Centennial Lake · 6 ac · 4.1 mi
- Penn Lake · 44 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Taft Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Taft Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Taft Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2017) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge, rock bass, channel catfish.
Does Taft Lake have a public access?
Yes. Taft Lake has one public access site: Taft Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier).
Is Taft Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked bluegill sunfish, northern pike and yellow perch in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2020.
When was Taft Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Taft Lake in 2017, the most recent of 7 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .