Thunderbird

Thunderbird Lake is managed primarily for Walleye with fry stockings occurring on a regular interval at the time of this survey. The lake is located 12 miles north of Finland and to the north of Ninemile Lake. Anglers wishing to access the lake should follow a 0.75-mile-long carry-in trail from Thunder Road to the east end of Thunderbird Lake. The 2025 survey was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Walleye fry stockings and to update information on the fish community. For anglers willing to put in the effort to get to it, Thunderbird Lake continues to provide good opportunities to catch and harvest eater-sized Walleye along with some limited opportunities for larger fish. Walleye catch rates were again well above the normal range relative to similar lakes, but within the historic range observed for Thunderbird Lake. The high catch was largely driven by abundant age-4 fish, which accounted for 77% of the fish captured in the survey. At the time of the survey age-4 Walleye had an average length of 12 inches. The longest Walleye sampled had a length of almost 25 inches and was age-10. In total, 12 different ages of Walleye were present in 2025, including fish from four stocked years and eight years when no stocking occurred. Staff will continue to evaluate if stocking is necessary to maintain a quality Walleye fishery in Thunderbird Lake. Only two Northern Pike were sampled during the survey, they had lengths of 18 and 37 inches. Thunderbird lake continues to maintain a low-density pike population that has the potential to grow large fish. Limited Northern Pike spawning habitat within the lake likely limits pike abundance. White Sucker were the only other species sampled during the survey. No Yellow Perch were sampled during the 2025 survey, but they have historically been sampled in the lake and are likely still present and still serving as a forage species for pike and Walleye.

Thunderbird Lake is located about seven miles east and 12 miles north of Finland and is 97 acres in size with a maximum depth of 18 feet. Access is a 0.75-mile user made carry-in trail that crosses federal and state land. There is a small parking area available along Thunder Road with enough room for a vehicle or two. Walleye are the primary management species in Thunderbird Lake and the current plan calls for fry to be stocked for two years followed by two non-stocked years. The 2022 gill net catch of 12/lift was higher than average compared to similar lakes. Size structure was good with about a third of the catch greater than 16 inches long and an average size of 13.9 inches long and 1.15 pounds. Age analysis determined less than half the catch came from stocked years suggesting fry stocking may not be necessary. Survey results indicate the 2018 and 2019 naturally reproduced year classes currently provide anglers with good opportunities for Walleye 13-17 inches long. Northern Pike are the secondary management species. The gill net catch was 1.8/lift with average length and weight of 27.4 inches and 4.7 pounds, which exceeded management goals. Of the 11 fish sampled only one was less than 20 inches long. The remainder of the catch was greater than 24 inches long, with two fish over 30 inches, and the largest fish sampled in 2022 measuring 35 inches long. Historically the Pike catch on Thunderbird has been low with a very nice average size. The Yellow Perch gill net catch of 6.2/lift is average compared to other similar lakes. Most of the catch was between 6-8 inches long, with 13.5% longer than 9 inches. Thunderbird is not locally known as a big perch destination, however; a keeper or two may be mixed in while Walleye fishing. Other important forage species sampled were Iowa and Johnny Darters, Blacknose and Common Shiners, Pearl Dace, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker.

Thunderbird Lake is characterized as a lake class 13 lake and is located nine miles west and three miles north of Schroeder in the Superior National Forest in the Lake Superior watershed. Public access is a carry-in on the northeast corner of the lake, from the trailhead off of Thunder Road, then northwest 0.75 miles on the user developed trail across federal and state land. This trail is suitable for ATV and foot traffic only. The lake is 96.7 acres, 91% littoral with a maximum depth of 18 feet and a Secchi disc reading of four feet in brown bog stained water. Rubble and gravel were "common" shoreline substrates, with boulder, sand, muck and detritus rated "rare". Vegetation was found to a maximum depth of six feet, 30 species/groups of aquatic vegetation were identified with horsetail rated "common" and all others rated "rare". The majority of plants identified were emergent and bog species. Two inlets enter the lake. Moose Creek originates in Shoepack Lake. An unnamed Creek is along the northeast shore and originates in Bonanza Lake. Moose Creek is the outlet and exits the lake along the south shore. Two designated campsites are on the lake. One is northeast of the outlet about halfway to the point, has many down trees and looks as though it hasn't been used in quite a long time. The other is along the northwest shore about 30 yards north of the portage trail to Shoepack Lake and is neat and well used. The 2013 Walleye gill net catch of 9/gillnet lift was higher than average for lake class 13. Average weight was 0.78 pounds which is below average, and was heavily influenced by a strong age-3 year class which comprised 53% of the catch. The lake is stocked with fingerlings two consecutive years out of four. The contribution from stocking of this year class is uncertain, since strong non-stocked year classes have been documented in the past. Three fish in the catch were near 25 inches with the largest 25.3 inches and 6.2 pounds. Past assessments revealed similar results of high catch with small average size. The 2013 catch was comprised of 26% from non-stocked years. In 2008, 66% were from non-stocked years, 2003 contained 21% and 1995 11% from non-stocked years. In 2013 all Walleyes greater than 12 inches scales and otoliths were sampled, making age data as accurate as possible. Of twelve year classes identified, seven were from non-stocked years. Growth of Walleyes in Thunderbird Lake is slower than average compared to other lakes in the Finland Area. The Northern Pike catch of 0.5/gillnet lift was below average for the lake class. Average weight was 3.12 pounds which is larger than average. Historical catch has revealed similar results of very low numbers with large average size. Growth of Northern Pike in Thunderbird Lake is faster than average by area standards. Yellow Perch catch of 1.17/gillnet lift was below average, with an average weight of 0.19 pounds which is larger than average for the lake class. Yellow Perch catch rates and sizes have ranged in past assessments. Growth of Yellow Perch in Thunderbird Lake is faster than the Finland Area average. White Sucker catch of 12.17/gillnet lift was above average for the lake class, and the lowest catch recorded in past assessments. The average weight of 1.37 pounds is slightly smaller than average for the lake class. Thunderbird Lake is known by local anglers as a decent Walleye lake with a somewhat small average size and some occasional large fish present. Hammerhandle Northern Pike are not a problem in this lake with a few large fish taken. The appeal with its main clientele is in its remote location and difficult access, making Thunderbird Lake a BWCA-experience without the need for a permit or restrictive regulations.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Brook Trout, and Pumpkinseed in Thunderbird. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Thunderbird has a maximum depth of 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Thunderbird is from 2025.

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