Ponto

Ponto Lake is a 388-acre lake located northeast of Backus, Minnesota. A DNR owned public access is located on the southeast shore. Ponto Lake has 4.53 miles of shoreline, 102 littoral acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Ponto Lake is in Lake Class 23; lakes in this class tend to be deep, clear, have a low percentage of littoral area (less than 15 feet deep), and hard water. Other area lakes in this class include Baby, Mule, Grave, and Jack lakes. The lake is primarily managed for Northern Pike and Walleye, and secondarily for Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Northern Pike were caught in moderate numbers and were within the management goal for abundance but did not meet size management goals. Sampled Northern Pike ranged in length from 15 to 29 inches, with an average length of 21 inches and average weight of 2.0 pounds. The Walleye catch rate exceeded the minimum management goal for the first time since 2006. Walleye lengths ranged from 13 to 25 inches with an average length of 16 inches. Bluegill were caught at moderate levels and were generally small. The Bluegill catch did not meet the management goal and fish ranged in length from 3 to 8 inches. Black Crappie were caught at moderate numbers and met the management goals. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 8 to 15 inches. Largemouth Bass were abundant with fish from 5 to 17 inches sampled. Yellow Perch catches remained below the management goal with only six fish sampled. Past surveys have sampled low numbers of Smallmouth Bass however, none were sampled in this survey. Other species sampled in Ponto Lake include Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Ponto Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ponto lake 09/08/2023, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There were a total of 7.6 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 0.5 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 7.1 acres of floating leaf plant communities. Emergent and floating-leaf vegetation was limited to just a few sections of shoreline. The following taxa were noted during the survey: arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.), burreed Emergent Group (Sparganium spp.), cattail (Typha spp.), floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans), sedge (Carex spp.), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia), watershield (Brasenia schreberi), white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), and yellow waterlily (Nuphar variegata). For more information see map and summary table below.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff delineated the floating leaf and emergent aquatic vegetation of Ponto lake 09/08/2023, following the protocols listed in the MN DNR Lake Plant Mapping Manual. There were a total of 7.6 acres of floating and emergent plants mapped. This consisted of 0.5 acres of emergent dominated plant communities and 7.1 acres of floating leaf plant communities. Emergent and floating-leaf vegetation was limited to just a few sections of shoreline. The following taxa were noted during the survey: arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), bulrush (round-stem group) (Schoenoplectus spp.), burreed Emergent Group (Sparganium spp.), cattail (Typha spp.), floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans), sedge (Carex spp.), spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), water smartweed (Persicaria amphibia), watershield (Brasenia schreberi), white waterlily (Nymphaea odorata), and yellow waterlily (Nuphar variegata). For more information see map and summary table below.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Rock Bass in Ponto. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Ponto. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Ponto has a maximum depth of 60 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Ponto is from 2024.

No invasive species are on record for Ponto in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.