---
type: lake
name: "Thornton Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Deerwood (Crow Wing)"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 161
max_depth_ft: 21
latitude: 46.45436
longitude: -93.79651
lake_score: 32
dnr_lake_id: "01017400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/thornton-lake
---

# Thornton Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Deerwood (Crow Wing)

- **Surface Area**: 161 acres
- **Max Depth**: 21 ft
- **Average Depth**: 7 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: No public access on record
- **Lake Score**: 32/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Thornton Lake is a 161-acre lake near Deerwood (Crow Wing) in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 7 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2009.

No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner.

## Access

- **Public access**: No public access on record
- **Managed by**: Not recorded
- **Launch fee**: N/A

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 7
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2009
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing

## Amenities

None on record

## Fish Species

Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Townline Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/townline-lake) - 0.7 miles, 114 acres
- [Sunset Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/sunset-lake) - 1.4 miles, 221 acres
- [Shirt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/crow-wing-county/shirt-lake) - 2.2 miles, 231 acres
- [Farm Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/farm-island-lake) - 2.4 miles, 2,005 acres
- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/little-pine-lake) - 2.5 miles, 226 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/cedar-lake) - 3.1 miles, 1,726 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.45436,-93.79651)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01017400)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/thornton-lake)*