Minnesota Fishing Guide

Thunderbird

Lake County, Minnesota — DOW #38003100

42 Surveys
96.66
Acres
18 ft
Max Depth
0
5
Fish Species
8
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 2.0 – 8.5 4.83 lb 4
1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 1.3 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 2.57 lb 5
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 4.29 lb 2
1990-09-17 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 11.00 lb 2
1982-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 14.50 lb 2
2013-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 3.12 lb 3
2025-08-04 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 2.0 – 8.5 5.99 lb 2

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 34.0 (above normal) 2.2 – 10.5 0.92 lb 68
1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 14.3 (above normal) 2.2 – 10.5 1.09 lb 57
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 10.7 (above normal) 2.2 – 10.5 0.84 lb 64
1990-09-17 Standard gill nets 19.5 (above normal) 2.2 – 10.5 0.84 lb 39
2013-08-12 Standard gill nets 9.0 (normal) 2.2 – 10.5 0.78 lb 54
2025-08-04 Standard gill nets 19.2 (above normal) 2.2 – 10.5 0.84 lb 115

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 5.0 (normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.11 lb 10
1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 2.3 (below normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.12 lb 9
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 10.5 (normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.16 lb 63
1990-09-17 Standard gill nets 2.5 (normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.20 lb 5
1980-05-29 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.08 lb 3
1982-08-10 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.05 lb 2
2013-08-12 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.19 lb 7
1985-07-09 Standard gill nets 9.5 (normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.31 lb 19
1977-08-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 (below normal) 2.5 – 14.3 0.21 lb 9

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 15.5 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 2.34 lb 31
1995-08-14 Standard gill nets 33.8 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 1.93 lb 135
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 17.7 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 1.80 lb 106
1990-09-17 Standard gill nets 35.0 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 0.64 lb 70
1980-05-29 Standard gill nets 11.0 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 0.68 lb 11
1982-08-10 Standard gill nets 14.5 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 0.56 lb 29
2013-08-12 Standard gill nets 12.2 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 1.37 lb 73
2025-08-04 Standard gill nets 8.8 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 1.82 lb 53
1985-07-09 Standard gill nets 34.5 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 0.58 lb 69
1977-08-22 Standard gill nets 19.0 (above normal) 1.6 – 8.4 0.31 lb 76

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.09 lb 1
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.04 lb 1
1990-09-17 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.10 lb 1
2013-08-12 Minnow traps 0.5 — — 3
2013-08-12 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.05 lb 3

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2003-08-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.09 lb 1
2008-08-26 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.08 lb 1
1985-07-09 Standard gill nets 9.0 — — 18

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2013-08-12 Minnow traps 0.3 — 2

Brook Trout

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1985-07-09 Standard gill nets 0.5 — 0.40 lb 1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Agate Bay Outfitters LLC

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5777

★ 4.4

Boundary Waters Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-3466

★ 4.9

Canadian Border Outfitters

Ely, MN

(800) 247-7530

★ 4.8

Granite Gear Inc

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-6157

★ 4.7

North Country Canoe Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5581

★ 4.9

Red Rock Wilderness Store

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5489

★ 5

Seagren's Home Hardware Outdoors

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-2222

★ 4.6

Veness Bait & Tackle

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 3.9

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Ely, MN

★ 4.7

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 393-4545

★ 5

Knife River Marina

Knife River, MN

(218) 834-6076

★ 4.7

Landing Sports Bar

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5191

★ 4.6

Leroy's Repair

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 4.6

Meierhoff Marine

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 341-4588

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Thunderbird

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Thunderbird.

The Moose Bay Co
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-6285
Bell Sheep Homestead
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 226-4614
Bob's Cabins On Lake Superior
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 834-4583
Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 389-4522

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Northern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Thunderbird

Boreal Triangle Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 830-2148
Boundary Waters Fishing Guide
Fishing Guide

(218) 235-9595
Duluth Superior Charter Fishing with Capt Paul Morris aboard Freedom II
Fishing Guide

(218) 428-5562
Ely Ice Fishing Company
Fishing Guide

(218) 365-3466
James Addiction Charter Fishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 213-8816
Muskie Doom Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 491-3277

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Lake County

Abinodji

35.74 acres

Adams

474.95 acres

Adventure

47.23 acres

Ahmakose

42.71 acres

Ahsub

60.33 acres

Alger

20.82 acres

Plan Your Trip to Thunderbird

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