Thomas Lake
About Thomas Lake
Thomas Lake is a 1,465-acre lake near Prairie Portage in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 110 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 26.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state. Access is by portage through Superior National Forest; most lakes reached this way lie in or beside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where an entry permit is required.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service and Minnesota DNR. 16 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Thomas Lake
- 1,465 acres, up to 110 feet deep, near Prairie Portage
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the US Forest Service and Minnesota DNR
- Average water clarity around 14 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water
- Boundary Waters country: entry permit required, no cans or glass bottles, and motors are restricted on most lakes
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service, Minnesota DNR
- Wilderness permit
- BWCAW permit required
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,465 acres
- Max depth
- 110 ft
- Shoreline
- 26.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 14 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 441 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
- A BWCAW permit is required year-round; quota permits apply May 1 through September 30
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- 4 portage accesses
- Camping (16 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Canoe tripping
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Camping & Reservations
16 campgrounds are mapped on or near Thomas Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Thomas Lake
Compare Thomas Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
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2 miles away
Alworth Lake
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2.3 miles away
Fraser Lake
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2.5 miles away
Ima Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Ely742 acres
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Alice Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Forest Center1,469 acres
3.1 miles away
Jordan Lake
38 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Prairie Portage142 acres
3.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Thomas Lake?
Thomas Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Prairie Portage. It covers 1,465 acres and reaches 110 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Thomas Lake?
Thomas Lake covers 1,465 acres with about 26.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 110 feet.
What fish can you catch at Thomas Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Thomas Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Thomas Lake?
Yes. Thomas Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the US Forest Service and Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Thomas Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Thomas 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.
Can you camp at Thomas Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.