Thunderbird Lake
- May, Jul–Sep
- best months
Is Thunderbird Lake open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Thunderbird Lake, so check the source for the area it covers.
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Thunderbird Lake is a fishing lake in northern Minnesota, within the Tofte Ranger District of Superior National Forest and the Finland State Forest. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the lake is not reservable. Summer is the most comfortable time to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 76°F in July with lows near 54°F, while winter highs stay in the teens and 20s. Shoepack Lake and Ninemile Lake Campground are both about a mile and a half away, and the T Bird-Shoepack Lake hike starts just over a mile off. Paddlers can reach the Manitou River about 6 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Sawbill Canoe Outfitters21 mi away
- Snowbank Lodge and Outfitters31 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May, Jul–Sep
Best time to visit Thunderbird Lake
Best months: May and July–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
19° / 1°
10 wet
Feb
24° / 3°
8 wet
Mar
35° / 15°
9 wet
Apr
46° / 28°
9 wet
May
59° / 40°
12 wet
Jun
70° / 49°
13 wet
Jul
76° / 54°
12 wet
Aug
74° / 53°
12 wet
Sep
65° / 46°
12 wet
Oct
51° / 34°
11 wet
Nov
36° / 21°
10 wet
Dec
24° / 9°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wolf Ridge Elc, MN, 11.6 mi away at 1,400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service
Keep exploring — more waters worth the drive
SEE
Crescent Lake
~38 min drive
SEE
Shoepack Lake
~2 min drive
SEE
Cascade River
~47 min drive
Cascade River is a river in Minnesota.
SEE
Hogback Lake Fishing Pier
~7 min drive
SEE
Section Eight Lake
~12 min drive
Section Eight Lake is a 6-acre lake near Crystal Bay Township, Minnesota, at about 1,921 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Dumbbell Lake Fishing Pier
~14 min drive
SEE
Slade Lake
~17 min drive
Slade Lake is a 5-acre lake near Silver Bay, Minnesota, at about 1,482 feet.
SEE
White Pine Lake Fishing Pier
~32 min drive
SEE
Trappers Lake
~20 min drive
Trappers Lake is a 19-acre lake near Stony River Township, Minnesota, at about 1,844 feet. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
SEE
Sawbill Lake Fishing Pier
~36 min drive
Also worth it near here
SEE
Ninemile Lake Boat Access
~2 min drive
Photo: Superior National Forest, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)CROSS RIVER/ WRINGER LAKE A
~9 min drive
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Manitou River
~10 min drive
RIDE
Cross/ Wringer Bike Loop
~11 min drive
