Minnesota · DNR survey data
Thornton Lake
Thornton Lake covers 161 acres in Aitkin County, running to 21 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2009. 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
Largemouth bassPresent0.4per trap net13"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 14 fish
2009Lengths measured · 38 fish
1999Lengths measured · 41 fish
1994Northern pikeGood numbers10.3per gill net18"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 43 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 43 fish
2009Lengths measured · 38 fish
1999Lengths measured · 72 fish
1994BluegillJust a few4.9per trap net4"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2009Lengths measured · 65 fish
2009Lengths measured · 379 fish
1999Lengths measured · 594 fish
1994No 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.
Recent reports
Thornton Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Thornton 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.
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Townline Lake · 114 ac · 0.7 mi
- Sunset Lake · 221 ac · 1.5 mi
- Shirt Lake · 231 ac · 2.2 mi
- Farm Island Lake · 2,005 ac · 2.3 mi
- Little Pine Lake · 226 ac · 2.5 mi
- Cedar Lake · 1,726 ac · 3.1 mi
- Hammal Lake · 376 ac · 3.2 mi
- Hickory Lake · 212 ac · 3.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Thornton Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Thornton Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Thornton Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2009) recorded largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Thornton Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Thornton Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Thornton Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Thornton Lake in 2009, the most recent of 4 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 .