Ponto Lake
About Ponto Lake
Ponto Lake is a 388-acre lake near Backus in Cass County, Minnesota. It reaches 60 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 18.2 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2024.
There is one public boat launch (asphalt surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 31 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Ponto Lake
- 388 acres, up to 60 feet deep, near Backus
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 18.2 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 388 acres
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 18.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 102 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 16
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2024
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 20
- Years of record
- 31
- Earliest
- April 5, 2021
- Latest
- May 13, 2013
- Most recent
- April 5, 2021
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Ponto Lake
Compare Ponto Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Long Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack246 acres
1.4 miles away
Island Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville184 acres
1.5 miles away
Hand Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Backus289 acres
1.8 miles away
Sand Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Hackensack149 acres
2 miles away
Sand Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Longville41 acres
2.5 miles away
Deep Portage Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · Pontoria129 acres
2.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ponto Lake?
Ponto Lake is in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. It covers 388 acres and reaches 60 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Ponto Lake?
Ponto Lake covers 388 acres with about 4.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 60 feet.
What fish can you catch at Ponto Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Ponto Lake?
Yes. Ponto Lake has 1 public boat launch (asphalt), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Ponto Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Ponto Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Ponto Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Ponto Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Ponto Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 20, from 31 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 5, 2021 and the latest is May 13, 2013.