Minnesota · Todd County
Thunder Lake Fishing guide
Thunder Lake is a 214-acre lake in Todd County, Minnesota, reaching 17 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 7.4 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Northern pikeGood numbers10.5per gill net21"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 52 fish
2019Lengths measured · 45 fish
2013Lengths measured · 59 fish
2007BluegillJust a few7per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 42 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 42 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2019Lengths measured · 78 fish
2013Lengths measured · 31 fish
2007Yellow perchGood numbers6per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 18 fish
2025Lengths measured · 57 fish
2019Lengths measured · 40 fish
2013Lengths measured · 16 fish
2007No recent survey rating.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Thunder Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. With 90% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops. A 17-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 90% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 17-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29" | 14" | 5" |
| 2019 | 36" | 24" | — |
| 2013 | 33" | 29" | 17" |
| 2012 | — | 24" | — |
| 2007 | 31" | 24" | 15" |
| 2001 | 23" | 25" | 5" |
| 1995 | 30" | 30" | 15" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Weedless Spoon + Trailer (Silver Minnow)
3/8–1/2 oz weedless spoon
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Weighted-EWG Weedless Swimbait
5" paddletail swimbait
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Flipping/Punching Creature Bait
4" beaver/creature-style bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 200,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 300,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Thunder (DOW# 77-0066-00; Lake Class 39) is a 214-acre lake located near Browerville, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the south shore. Thunder has 2.9 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 17 feet. The lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Walleye and secondarily for Black Crappie.
Thunder is in the process of recovering from a winterkill in the winter of 2022-2023. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill are particularly susceptible to winterkills, with Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie more resistant. This winterkill appears to have affected Walleye and Largemouth Bass most heavily.
Read the full DNR narrative
A total of 21 Northern Pike were captured in 2025 (10.5/gillnet). This catch was slightly below the 2019 (11/gillnet) and 2013 (11.2/gillnet) surveys. Lengths sampled ranged from 16 to 29 inches and averaged 21.7 inches. Only 19 percent measured greater than 24 inches. This value is above that of 2019 (15.9%) and below 2013 (28.9%). The clear presence of large fish suggests significant survival. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the current Northern Pike regulation by harvesting small fish and releasing large fish. This can help preserve the fishery and maintain balance in the fish community on Thunder.
Seven Walleye were captured in 2025 (3.5/gillnet), which is higher than both 2019 (1.75) and 2013 (2.75). Lengths observed ranged from 11 to 14 inches, with the only year class represented being 2023. Thunder has been stocked with Walleye fry annually since 2016 following the determination that natural reproduction was limited. The lack of fish from year classes prior to 2023 is likely due to the winterkill.
Only 5 Black Crappie were sampled in trap nets in 2025 (0.83/trap net). This is within the normal range for this type of lake. Lengths sampled ranged from 6.5 to 8.5 inches, but the limited sample size along with evidence of winterkill survival means quality fish may still be present in Thunder.
One juvenile Largemouth Bass measuring 5.4 inches was captured in 2025. Electrofishing in 2024 captured 22 Largemouth Bass ranging in length from 3.7 to 14.4 inches. Though not an actively managed species, quality Largemouth Bass have been observed in prior surveys and their recovery will be monitored.
Yellow Perch are an important forage species in Thunder with a few individuals attaining lengths desirable to anglers. A total of 12 Yellow Perch were captured in 2025 (6/gillnet), which is below average for this lake type and below the historical range for Thunder (8 - 27/gillnet). Lengths ranged from 6 to 10.5 inches. Ages collected in 2025 show fish attaining 9 inches by age 4 and fish up to age 5 present. Yellow Perch abundance is influenced heavily by predation and the observed change cannot be attributed solely to winterkill.
Bluegill do not appear to have been heavily affected in the winter of 2022-2023. A total of 42 Bluegill were captured in trap nets (7/trap net). Lengths captured ranged from 3.4 to 9.1 inches and averaged 5.6 inches. The 2025 catch rate and average length were similar to the historical range for summer trap nets in Thunder (3.6 - 9.3/trap net; 5.3 - 6.8 inches). Bluegill are not actively managed in Thunder, but fish exceeding 9 inches have been consistently present in surveys.
Brown, Black, and Yellow Bullheads were abundant in 2025, with Black Bullheads dominating net catches. Black Bullheads often thrive following a winterkill event and are consistently present in surveys in Thunder.
Other fish species observed were Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Thunder Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Thunder 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
- Thunder Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Thunder Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pine Island Lake · 238 ac · 1.6 mi
- Coal Lake · 171 ac · 2.7 mi
- Big Lake · 297 ac · 3.4 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 121 ac · 3.9 mi
- Turtle Lake · 112 ac · 5.2 mi
- Mill Lake · 171 ac · 5.6 mi
- Star Lake · 69 ac · 5.8 mi
- Fawn Lake · 125 ac · 6.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Thunder Lake?
Thunder Lake reaches 17 ft at its deepest point; about 90% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Thunder Lake?
Thunder Lake covers 214 acres with about 2.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Thunder Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Thunder Lake average 7.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Thunder Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Thunder Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Thunder Lake have a public access?
Yes. Thunder Lake has one public access site: Thunder Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Thunder Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Thunder Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Thunder Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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