Ponto Lake
Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. DNR lake ID 11023400.
Ponto Lake is a 388.1-acre lake in Cass County, Minnesota, near Backus. Its deepest point reaches 60 ft, and about 26% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. Summer water clarity averages 19.1 feet in Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring, which places it in the oligotrophic nutrient class. It is not on the DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill.
Buying or selling on Ponto Lake? Ask us what lakeshore here actually sells for, which stretches of shoreline buyers compete for, and what’s coming up before it’s listed.
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Quick facts
| DNR lake ID | 11023400 |
|---|---|
| County | Cass County, near Backus |
| Surface area | 388.1 acres |
| Maximum depth | 60 ft |
| Share under 15 ft | 26% |
| Water clarity (summer) | 19.1 ft through 2025 |
| Phosphorus (summer) | 8.7 µg/L |
| Algae, chlorophyll-a (summer) | 2.3 µg/L |
| Nutrient class | Oligotrophic |
| Clarity trend | Steady (2016 to 2025) |
| Invasive species | Not on DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026) |
| Public water accesses | 1 |
Water quality
Summer averages from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency monitoring through 2025: clarity 19.1 ft, phosphorus 8.7 µg/L, algae (chlorophyll-a) 2.3 µg/L. Using the Carlson trophic state index, Ponto Lake rates as oligotrophic. Summer clarity trend 2016 to 2025: steady.
Fishing on Ponto Lake
The most recent DNR standard fish survey was in 2021 (5 years ago). Catch per net is compared with the DNR’s typical range for lakes of the same type.
| Species | Net | Catch per net | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | gill | 2.78 | 1.0 to 5.0 |
| Walleye | trap | 0.11 | 0.2 to 0.7 |
| Northern pike | gill | 6.44 | 2.2 to 8.7 |
| Northern pike | trap | 0.22 | n/a |
| Yellow perch | gill | 1.67 | 1.5 to 13.8 |
| Yellow perch | trap | 0.22 | 0.4 to 2.3 |
| Black crappie | gill | 1.11 | 0.3 to 1.7 |
| Bluegill | gill | 2.33 | n/a |
| Bluegill | trap | 13.33 | 7.7 to 43.4 |
| Largemouth bass | gill | 3.89 | 0.5 to 1.7 |
| Largemouth bass | trap | 1.22 | 0.4 to 1.5 |
| Smallmouth bass | gill | 0.33 | 0.2 to 1.6 |
| Pumpkinseed | gill | 6.44 | n/a |
| Pumpkinseed | trap | 1.33 | 1.4 to 5.9 |
| Rock bass | gill | 8.0 | 0.7 to 4.4 |
| Rock bass | trap | 1.0 | 0.8 to 3.7 |
| Hybrid sunfish | gill | 1.11 | n/a |
| Hybrid sunfish | trap | 3.56 | n/a |
Walleye catch was within the typical range for similar lakes in that survey.
Largest fish measured in recent DNR samples: Walleye 23.0 in (2021), Largemouth bass 18.0 in (2021), Northern pike 29.0 in (2021), Smallmouth bass 14.0 in (2021).
Game and panfish documented since 2005: Walleye, Northern pike, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Black crappie, Bluegill, Yellow perch, Pumpkinseed, Hybrid sunfish, Rock bass, Burbot, Bowfin, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Black bullhead.
Fishing regulations
No lake-specific regulation found in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Regulations change. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.
Invasive species
Not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means no confirmed listing, not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
Public boat access
- Ponto Lake: 1 concrete slab launch ramp, 1 dock, 8 trailer spaces. 7.5 mi E of Backus on Hwy 87, 1.5 mi N on Hwy 84, then 0.1 mi N on Ponto Twp Rd. Directions
DNR water access records (2023). Confirm current conditions with the DNR.
Nearby lakes
- One Lake 0.9 mi, Cass County
- Tamarack Lake 1.3 mi, Cass County
- Two Lake 1.4 mi, Cass County
- Long Lake 1.4 mi, Cass County
- Island Lake 1.5 mi, Cass County
- Hand Lake 1.8 mi, Cass County
- Sand Lake 2.0 mi, Cass County
- Little Portage Lake 2.3 mi, Cass County
Questions about Ponto Lake
How deep is Ponto Lake?
Ponto Lake reaches a maximum depth of 60 ft according to Minnesota DNR records. About 26% of the lake is shallower than 15 feet.
How big is Ponto Lake?
Ponto Lake covers about 388.1 acres in Cass County, Minnesota.
How clear is Ponto Lake?
Summer water clarity on Ponto Lake averages 19.1 feet (Secchi depth) in MPCA monitoring through 2025. Its trophic state is oligotrophic.
Does Ponto Lake have zebra mussels or other invasive species?
Ponto Lake is not on the Minnesota DNR infested waters list as of September 2026. That means there is no confirmed listing; it is not a guarantee the lake is free of invasive species.
What fish are in Ponto Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys document walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, rock bass in Ponto Lake. The most recent standard survey was in 2021.
Where is the public boat access on Ponto Lake?
Ponto Lake has 1 public water access site on DNR record: Ponto Lake.
How is the walleye population on Ponto Lake?
In Minnesota DNR net surveys from 1992 to 2021, walleye numbers on Ponto Lake ran mostly within the typical range for similar lakes. Nets measure how many fish a lake holds, not where they’re biting, so local guides are the best source for current fishing.
Are there lake homes for sale on Ponto Lake?
Homes on Ponto Lake come up for sale throughout the year, and some sell before they’re ever publicly advertised. Tell us what you’re looking for and our agents will run a custom search and send you matching homes on Ponto Lake and nearby lakes, including off-market opportunities when available.
What is it like to live on Ponto Lake?
A mid-size lake with room for boating and fishing, about 26% shallow shoreline under 15 feet, and summer clarity around 19.1 feet. Conditions vary by property, so walk the frontage and ask us what similar homes have sold for.
Are there special fishing regulations on Ponto Lake?
No lake-specific regulation was found for Ponto Lake in Minnesota Rules or the DNR sunfish list. Statewide and zone regulations apply.
Ask us about Ponto Lake
Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, our team works Cass County lakes every day. Send us a note or call (218) 656-6469.
Sources: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder records, DNR fish surveys (latest 2021), DNR infested waters list (Sept 2026), Minnesota Rules 6264.0400 (April 2026), MPCA monitoring via the Water Quality Portal, DNR water access records (2023), LAGOS-US. Lakewide information from public data; it does not describe any specific property. Verify shoreline, bottom type, and depth at any frontage.