Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County Fishing
Lake County, 1,465 acres, 110 feet deep.
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Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County, the Minnesota rundown
LakeFinder puts Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County, a lake in Lake County, at 1,465 acres. Maximum depth is 110 feet, with an average of 26.8 feet. The littoral zone, water under 15 feet, takes in 469 acres (32%). Winton is the nearest city on the Census list, roughly 26 miles off. The DNR fisheries office in Tower manages it.
The species list from DNR surveys starts with walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, cisco, lake trout and rock bass. The last DNR population assessment ran on September 10, 2012.
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The population assessment of September 10, 2012 supplied these counts; the DNR normal range shows what similar lakes produce.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Shallow gill nets | 82 | 13.67 | 2.36 | ||
| Northern pike | Shallow gill nets | 8 | 1.33 | 3.37 | ||
| Northern pike | Deep gill nets | 2 | 0.25 | 5.11 | ||
| Yellow perch | Shallow gill nets | 4 | 0.67 | 0.09 | ||
| Tullibee (cisco) | Shallow gill nets | 15 | 2.5 | 0.1 | ||
| Tullibee (cisco) | Deep gill nets | 110 | 13.75 | 0.11 | ||
| Lake trout | Deep gill nets | 15 | 1.88 | 3.41 | ||
| Rock bass | Shallow gill nets | 5 | 0.83 | 0.14 |
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Status of the fishery on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
“Thomas Lake is located approximately 27 miles northeast of Ely and is entirely within the BWCAW.”
“It has a surface area of 1,721 acres and a maximum depth of 110 feet.”
“Access is by several portages which typically take at least one day of travel time.”
“There are eighteen designated USFS campsites located around the lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Thomas Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Landings around Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Water accesses near Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
- Snowbank Lake AccessSnowbank, 9 miles west
- Discovery Lake AccessDiscovery, 11 miles west
- Lake One AccessOne, 12 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County basin shape
Volunteers and DNR staff have logged 2 Secchi readings on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County since 2012.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Fish found in Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Every species shown for Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County turned up in a DNR survey or holds a record here.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Limits that apply on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Statewide inland limits are the whole rule set on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County sits in the Northeast Zone by map position, which sets the pike and bass rows.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Sizing up Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County against nearby water
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County | 1,465 | 110 | 0 | 13.67 | |
| Cacabic Lake | 1 mile southeast | 23 | 30 | 0 | |
| Hatchet Lake | 2 miles north | 127 | 40 | 0 | 8.57 |
| Muskrat Lake, Lake County | 2 miles northeast | 25 | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| Alworth Lake | 2 miles west | 200 | 33 | 0 | 0.67 |
| Fraser Lake | 3 miles northeast | 695 | 105 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Beyond the shore of Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
More Minnesota lakes near Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
- Cacabic Lake1 mile southeast
- Hatchet Lake2 miles north
- Muskrat Lake, Lake County2 miles northeast
- Alworth Lake2 miles west
- Fraser Lake3 miles northeast
Minnow buckets filled near Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
- Williams and Hall Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 13 miles
- Tuscarora Lodge & Canoe Outfitterssporting goods store, Grand Marais, 20 miles
- Boundary Waters Outfitterssporting goods store, Ely, 24 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
- Winton26 miles
- Ely29 miles
- Lutsen33 miles
Counties that Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County reaches
- Lake Countyseat: Two Harbors
Four Piscifun picks for Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
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Fish to look for at Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Handy answers on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Which DNR office covers Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
In Lake County, managed from the Tower fisheries office, about 26 miles from Winton.
What is the maximum depth of Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
The DNR record gives 1,465 acres, 110 feet at the deepest.
Is there a boat launch on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
No point in the DNR access layer; 0 accesses in LakeFinder.
Which species has the DNR recorded in Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, cisco, lake trout, rock bass and white sucker.
When did the DNR last survey Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
September 10, 2012, in a population assessment. walleye ran 13.67 per shallow gill net.
Are there size limits on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
No special rule; statewide rows in the Northeast Zone.
Do kids need a license on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
How clear is Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
Average clarity: 14 feet.
Where are minnows sold near Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County?
Drive 13 miles to reach Williams and Hall Outfitters.
Plan a lake day on Thomas Lake near Winton, Lake County
Minnesota license costs and limits are one click away.