Thomas

A standard survey was completed in July 2018 to monitor the status of the fish community and document existing habitat conditions. Thomas Lake is a moderately sized lake with dark colored water located about 13 miles north of Two Harbors. The lake bottom consists of mainly sand, gravel, and muck that supports a fairly diverse aquatic plant community. Lakeshore ownership is almost entirely private, except that County Road 14 does intersect the lake outlet which provides an undeveloped carry-in access. Black Crappie and Northern Pike are the most likely species targeted by anglers and their populations are quite different. Crappie are abundant but growth is slow and few fish reach quality size. Consistent natural reproduction has been documented in fisheries surveys and indicates adequate habitat conditions. Fish reach just 5.7 inches at age-4, however, suggesting most crappie likely survive on an invertebrate diet. Northern Pike numbers were within the normal range for this type of lake. Size from gill nets averaged 22.1 inches and 2.45 pounds with 31% greater than 24 inches. Analysis determined that natural reproduction occurs regularly and each of the previous seven year classes were present in the 2018 sample. Growth is good compared to area averages and pike reach 22.2 inches at age-4. The forage fish community appears healthy and includes populations of Golden Shiner, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. No Largemouth Bass were captured in standard assessment gear in 2018. Spring night electrofishing targeting adult bass was not completed due to lack of equipment availability. A small number Bluegill and Pumpkinseed were sampled in trap nets in 2018 and catches were similar to previous surveys. These species are not likely to be of interest to anglers due to poor size structure with few fish greater than 7 inches captured. No Black Bullhead were sampled in 2018 after being caught in each of the previous three assessments dating back to 1974. This species is uncommon in the Finland area. It is possible that they were unintentionally introduced in the past but were not able to maintain a naturalized population.

Thomas is a 148 acre lake with 134 (91%) acres of littoral area and a maximum depth of 20 feet. Thomas Lake is located 13 miles north of Two Harbors, MN off State Highway #14. Thomas Lake has no developed public access, however, access can be gained along a road right-of-way on the east shore of the lake. Fish population investigations have been conducted in 1951, 1957, 1974, 1991, 1994 and 1999. Northern pike abundance indexed with assessment nets was 4.3 per lift in 1999. This index value was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size and growth of northern pike was good. Mean length of sampled northern pike was 22.2 inches and length at the beginning of their fourth year of life was 25.2 inches. Age distribution revealed a strong 1996 year class. Yellow perch abundance indexed with assessment nets was 15.2per lift in 1999. This index value was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size and growth of yellow perch was poor. Mean length of sampled yellow perch was 6.1 inches and length at the beginning of their fourth year of life was 5.4 inches. Age distribution revealed a very strong 1995 year class. Largemouth bass were sampled during a spring electrofishing assessment conducted on the night of 06/08/1999. A total of 19 largemouth bass were collected. Size of largemouth bass was poor but growth was good. Mean length of sampled largemouth bass was 6.0 inches and length at the beginning of their fourth year of life was 12.6 inches. Age distribution revealed 17 of 19 aged largemouth bass were born after adult bass were stocked in 1996 and 1997. Black crappie abundance indexed with assessment nets was 10.9 per lift in 1999. This index value was above average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size of black crappie was average and growth was slow. Mean length of sampled black crappie was 7.4 inches and length at the beginning of their fourth year of life was 5.9 inches. Age distribution revealed strong 1994, 1995 and 1997 year classes Bluegill abundance indexed with assessment nets was 2.4 per lift in 1999. This index value was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Size and growth of bluegill were both average to poor. Mean length of sampled bluegill was 4.9 inches and length at the beginning of their fourth year of life was 4.7 inches. Age distribution revealed only three year classes represented between 1990 and 1998. Pumpkinseed sunfish and white sucker were also sampled during the 1999 investigation. Pumpkinseed sunfish were common and white sucker were abundant compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type.

Northern pike abundance is below first quartile ranking of Schupp Lake Class 13 although the 1991 gillnet CPUE is consistent with historic netting data. Yellow perch, bluegill and pumpkinseed are at historic high levels of abundance. Other species present are similar in abundance to historic data and within first and third quartiles for this lake class. Growth rates, other than northern pike, are slow. Black bullheads, first documented in the 1974 assessment, need to be monitered for abundance trends.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Thomas. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Thomas. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Thomas has a maximum depth of 20 feet and a mean depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Thomas is from 2018. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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