---
type: lake
name: "Ponto Lake"
county: "Cass"
nearest_town: "Backus"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 388
max_depth_ft: 60
latitude: 46.87207
longitude: -94.33797
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "11023400"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/ponto-lake
---

# Ponto Lake

Lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus

- **Surface Area**: 388 acres
- **Max Depth**: 60 ft
- **Shoreline**: 4.5 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 18.2 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (asphalt)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2024
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 31
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-05
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/long-lake-hackensack) - 1.4 miles, 246 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/island-lake-longville) - 1.5 miles, 184 acres
- [Hand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/hand-lake) - 1.8 miles, 289 acres
- [Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sand-lake) - 2 miles, 149 acres
- [Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/sand-lake-longville) - 2.5 miles, 41 acres
- [Deep Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county/deep-portage-lake) - 2.6 miles, 129 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.87207,-94.33797)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=11023400)
- [All lakes in Cass County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cass-county)

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