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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
18-acre lake near Cook County. The lake tops out around 12 ft. What you see is a modeled chart: the shoreline is real, the max depth is published, and the contours between are estimated. Plan with it; don't navigate by it. Species by species, here's what the data says the year looks like.
On the chart, Thompson draws 18 acres inside 0.8 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.3) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. The whole water is littoral — nothing here runs deeper than ~15 ft, so it's all weed-and-bait territory. Call it 0.3 mi long. You'll find it in Cook County. For a second option, Dick lies 2 mi north.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: brook trout in 2 to 12 ft. The depth story barely changes: 4 to 12 ft through summer, 2 to 12 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 10 ft range, prime in summer. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 2 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (3 ft) | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (10 ft) | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 2 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | open water | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 20 ft | dawn | Deep basin (10 ft) | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 3 to 12 ft covers summer, 2 to 12 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Shoreline break, a drop-off in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Spring brown trout on Thompson hold shallow, usually 1 to 12 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 4 to 12 ft in summer, 2 to 12 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Shoreline break — drop-off, 5 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in after dark and early morning. The summer box starts with a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night).
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 2 to 12 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
The chart marks 4 structure features on Thompson; the deepest is Deep basin at about 10 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Brown Trout (fingerlings) | 1,000 | — |
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (yearlings) | 1,050 | — |
| 2024* | Rainbow Trout (yearlings) | 1,050 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-11.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Thompson specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Thompson is about 12 ft (4 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout on Thompson.
Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For brook trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Thompson was most recently stocked 2025 with 1,000 brown trout (fingerlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Thompson is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Dick 2 mi · Olson 2 mi · McDonald 3 mi · Two Island 3 mi · Devil Track 3 mi · Bath 4 mi · Pit 4 mi · Thrasher 4 mi · Junco 4 mi · Thrush 4 mi · Swamp 5 mi · Mit 5 mi
See how Thompson stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Minnesota · best brown trout lakes in Minnesota · best brook trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: Cook County fishing maps (351 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.