Talus Lake

Cook County, Minnesota - DNR stocking history, depth and survey data

Minnesota · Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) · DOW 16018700

DNR records show 10 stocking entries at Talus Lake since 2016, most recently rainbow trout fingerlings in 2025 (1,500 fish).

• Talus Lake has 10 DNR stocking records across 10 years (2016-2025): rainbow trout (10).
• The most-stocked species by count is rainbow trout: 15,590 fish on record.
• Maximum depth 22 ft; surface area 17 acres, 14 littoral acres, 0.8 miles of shoreline, per the DNR lake survey.
• Average water clarity (Secchi depth) 11.6 ft.
• Fish species DNR lists here: rainbow trout, white sucker.
• 1 public access on the DNR list.
• Most recent DNR fish survey: June 6, 2023 (targeted survey).
• Cook County, nearest town Grand Marais; DNR lake number (DOW) 16018700.

Stocking history

Public accesses

DNR fish survey, 2023

Catch per net (CPUE) is the DNR survey's count per gill net or trap net set; higher means more of that species were sampled, not a fishing forecast. Top species per gear shown; where we have no verified common name for a DNR code, the code itself is shown.

Talus is a small, designated stream trout lake located 25 miles north of Grand Marais in the Lake Superior North watershed, discharging to that lake via West Twin Lake, Bluff Creek, and the Brule River. Public access is through portages from either Kemo Lake or West Twin Lake. Talus has been managed exclusively for rainbow trout with stocking since 1959. The 2023 survey was conducted to evaluate the growth and survival of stocked rainbow trout year classes. Rainbow trout abundance was very low in 2023 continuing a decline since the 2012 survey. Catch rates were similar to other area lakes. Rainbow trout captured in this survey ranged from 7.5 to 14.5 inches. Aging results indicated that two year classes were present, age 1 and age 3, from the 2022 and 2020 stocking events. Growth appeared to be below average for similar rainbow trout lakes with fish reaching 9.29 inches at age-2 compared to area mean of 11.4 inches. The white sucker catch in 2023 was again high for Talus lake and above the normal range found in spring surveys of stream trout lakes in this area. White sucker compete with trout for invertebrate forage, and the high numbers observed may account for slow rainbow trout growth observed in recent surveys. White sucker removals may be considered if the performance of rainbow trout continues to be low. Cook County, Minnesota lakes continue to be susceptible to aquatic invasive species introductions. Invasive species have the potential to significantly alter fish communities and overall lake health. Anglers should clean watercraft and fishing gear, drain all water, and dispose of unused bait in the trash to prevent accidental introductions.

Minnesota DNR survey narrative, June 6, 2023.

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