---
type: lake
name: "Little Thunder Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Shovel Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 258
max_depth_ft: 72
latitude: 46.96498
longitude: -93.86655
lake_score: 59
dnr_lake_id: "11000900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/little-thunder-lake
---

# Little Thunder Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Shovel Lake

- **Surface Area**: 258 acres
- **Max Depth**: 72 ft
- **Average Depth**: 29 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 9.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 59/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Little Thunder Lake is a 258-acre lake near Shovel Lake in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 72 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 29 feet, and has roughly 6.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 9.8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Big Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/big-rice-lake) - 3.6 miles, 2,030 acres
- [Thunder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/thunder-lake) - 5.2 miles, 1,347 acres
- [Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/bass-lake-outing) - 5.8 miles, 195 acres
- [Birch Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/birch-lake-remer) - 5.9 miles, 276 acres
- [Little Bass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/little-bass-lake) - 6.8 miles, 136 acres
- [Upper Trelipe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/upper-trelipe-lake) - 8 miles, 421 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.96498,-93.86655)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11000900)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/little-thunder-lake)*