Ponto

Cass County, Minnesota — DOW #11023400

205 Surveys

388.05

Acres

60 ft

Max Depth

0

16

Fish Species

25

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Ponto. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.17 lb	3
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	37.5 (above normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.21 lb	225
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	2.9	—	—	3
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	3.9	—	—	39
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.14 lb	28
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	39.3 (above normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.29 lb	157
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.23 lb	17
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.05 lb	6
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.11 lb	1
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.10 lb	4
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.3	0.19 lb	1
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	12.7	—	0.01 lb	7
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	1.5 – 13.8	0.22 lb	42

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	5.8 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.62 lb	35
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.79 lb	9
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	1.27 lb	4
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.3	1.11 lb	7
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	13.6 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.52 lb	122
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.74 lb	36
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.64 lb	7
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	11.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.44 lb	106
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.57 lb	17
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.59 lb	45
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.65 lb	24
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.73 lb	27
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.84 lb	13
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	1.0 – 6.0	0.64 lb	42
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	1.0 – 5.3	0.70 lb	34

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	14.2 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.38 lb	85
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.0	—	0.85 lb	8
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	12.0 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.59 lb	48
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	0.30 lb	17
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	9.2 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.72 lb	83
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	5.7 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.95 lb	51
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2	—	2.23 lb	2
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	9.9 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.44 lb	89
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	2.2 – 8.7	2.09 lb	63
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	1.37 lb	11
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	9.0 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.78 lb	81
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.53 lb	4
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	1.8	—	0.14 lb	1
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	10.2 (above normal)	2.2 – 8.7	1.22 lb	92
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	1.36 lb	10

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.36 lb	21
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	3.5 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.39 lb	14
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.9	—	—	9
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	23.2	—	—	24
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.40 lb	5
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.22 lb	13
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.40 lb	9
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	7.6 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.25 lb	68
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.14 lb	17
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	5.8 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.25 lb	52
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.19 lb	11
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.37 lb	54
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.23 lb	12
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	7.8 (above normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.39 lb	70
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.33 lb	12
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	1.8	—	0.02 lb	1
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.4	0.47 lb	34
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.8 – 3.7	0.32 lb	10

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	0.57 lb	25
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.30 lb	1
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	7.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.20 lb	31
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.9 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.86 lb	35
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	6.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.38 lb	57
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	1.46 lb	1
2015-08-03	Fall electrofishing	2.3	—	0.26 lb	3
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.45 lb	39
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.84 lb	2
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.83 lb	33
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	5.86 lb	1
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.6 (normal)	1.0 – 5.0	2.39 lb	32
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.38 lb	2
1996-08-20	Standard electrofishing	28.4	—	0.33 lb	24
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	7.0 (above normal)	1.0 – 5.0	1.64 lb	63
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	2.37 lb	5

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.60 lb	3
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.66 lb	9
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	4.8	—	—	5
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	1.7	—	—	17
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.32 lb	5
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	10.9 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.34 lb	87
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.29 lb	11
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.98 lb	54
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.06 lb	2
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	5.6 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.69 lb	50
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	1.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.48 lb	13
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.91 lb	27
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.66 lb	12
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	1.20 lb	35
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 1.5	1.01 lb	6
1996-08-20	Standard electrofishing	34.3	—	1.23 lb	29
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	10.9	—	0.03 lb	6
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	1.9 (above normal)	0.5 – 1.7	0.92 lb	17
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.5	0.11 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	7.8	—	0.15 lb	47
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	43.0 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.28 lb	172
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	21.3	—	—	22
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	110.3	—	—	1103
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	4.8	—	0.14 lb	19
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	14.0 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.10 lb	112
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	6.0	—	0.19 lb	54
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.12 lb	6
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	4.3 (below normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.10 lb	39
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.2	—	0.08 lb	20
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	10.5 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.11 lb	84
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.2	—	0.14 lb	20
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	10.9 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.14 lb	98
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	1.1	—	0.16 lb	10
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	4.1 (below normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.12 lb	37
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	107.1	—	0.05 lb	59
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	13.8	—	0.14 lb	124
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	9.6 (normal)	7.7 – 43.4	0.15 lb	86

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	1.7	—	0.08 lb	10
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.21 lb	17
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	5.8	—	—	6
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	8.2	—	—	82
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.10 lb	7
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	4.3 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.11 lb	34
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.19 lb	16
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.20 lb	16
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.09 lb	4
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	2.2	—	0.13 lb	20
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.14 lb	22
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.08 lb	16
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.08 lb	19
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	1.2	—	0.17 lb	11
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.06 lb	2
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	5.5	—	0.06 lb	3
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	1.6	—	0.17 lb	14
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	1.9 (normal)	1.4 – 5.9	0.14 lb	17

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.25 lb	4
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	5.70 lb	5
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	5.32 lb	6
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.3	4.81 lb	1
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.92 lb	4
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.3	4.86 lb	2
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.71 lb	11
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	4.22 lb	3

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.48 lb	11
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	1.8	—	—	18
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	3.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.96 lb	14
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.30 lb	1
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.30 lb	3
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.37 lb	4
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.0	1.13 lb	3
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.0	2.76 lb	5

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.20 lb	1
1984-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.47 lb	3
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
1976-08-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.10 lb	1
1976-08-23	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.99 lb	7
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.17 lb	10
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.31 lb	2
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	5.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.61 lb	48
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.28 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.43 lb	2
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.56 lb	5
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	3.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.76 lb	35
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.09 lb	2
1996-08-20	Standard electrofishing	4.7	—	0.36 lb	4
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.35 lb	1
1996-08-20	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.38 lb	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.62 lb	16
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.0	—	—	1
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.9	1.36 lb	17
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.76 lb	3
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.70 lb	1

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1984-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.75 lb	13
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.94 lb	7
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.23 lb	5
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	0.45 lb	4
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.53 lb	2
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.26 lb	1
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.54 lb	1
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.8	1.18 lb	6

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.2	—	2
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	3.9	—	4

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	4.8	—	5
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.4	—	4
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	1.8	—	1

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.0	—	—	1
1992-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.50 lb	1
1996-08-20	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.24 lb	2

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	51.7	—	517
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	94.8	—	98
1996-08-20	Special electrofishing	21.8	—	12

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.5	—	—	5
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	2.9	—	—	3
2024-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.18 lb	2
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	0.46 lb	6
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.09 lb	2
2015-08-03	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	0.36 lb	17
2009-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.07 lb	1
2009-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.15 lb	5
2018-08-27	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.61 lb	1
2018-08-27	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	0.26 lb	9

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	3
2024-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.08 lb	1
2015-08-03	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.6	2.37 lb	4

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	1.7	—	17
2018-07-02	Backpack electrofishing	1.0	—	1

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-02	50-ft beach seine	4.0	—	40

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

Bar Harbor Pontoon Rentals

Lake Shore, MN

★ 5

Bentley Pontoons Boat & Snowmobile Storage

Longville, MN

Blackwater lake access

Longville, MN

★ 4.8

Bradford & Blake Boat Storage

Hackensack, MN

Brainerd Lakes Marine LLC

Pequot Lakes, MN

Captain Gary Leech Lake Pontoon Rental

Walker, MN

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Ponto

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Ponto.

Decoy Lodge (Cabin 106) at Bluewater Lodge Resort

Fishing Resort Walker

(714) 235-6033

Ice Guys Fish House Rentals

Fishing Resort East Gull Lake

(218) 851-6488

Leech Lake Cabins

Fishing Resort Walker

(218) 766-6878

Fishing Resort Longville

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Ponto. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Burbot Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Ponto

Adventures Guide Service

(218) 232-6556

Bobby G's Guide Service

(218) 831-7711

Boggs Fishing Adventures

(218) 820-5612

Brainerd Lakes Area Guide Service

(763) 670-6033

Brainerd Lakes Guides

(218) 866-2876

Chuck Emery Guide Service

(218) 536-0348

View all 25 guides →

Other Lakes in Cass County

Ada

Agate

Alice

Andrus

Anway

Baby

Plan Your Trip to Ponto

Weather forecast for Ponto — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.8716°N, 94.3403°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.