Minnesota · Otter Tail County
North Turtle Lake Fishing guide
North Turtle Lake covers 1,773 acres in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, reaching 19 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 4.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers2.8per gill net21"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 25 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 6 fish
2020Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 25 fish
2016Lengths measured · 6 fish
2012Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2005Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassGood numbers80.8per hr (electrofishing)15"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 82 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 82 fish
2024Lengths measured · 28 fish
2020Lengths measured · 2 fish
2020Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 99 fish
2016Northern pikeGood numbers13.2per gill net23"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 136 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 27 fish
2020Lengths measured · 136 fish
2016Lengths measured · 83 fish
2012Lengths measured · 263 fish
2005BluegillFair numbers38.8per trap net4"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 375 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 18 fish
2020Lengths measured · 375 fish
2016Lengths measured · 203 fish
2012Lengths measured · 511 fish
2005CrappieOne of the best around39.6per trap net5"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 603 fish
Recent · 2016 + 2025Lengths measured · 54 fish
2025Lengths measured · 208 fish
2020Lengths measured · 549 fish
2016Lengths measured · 101 fish
2012Yellow perchOne of the best around47per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 470 fish
Recent · 2016Lengths measured · 332 fish
2020Lengths measured · 470 fish
2016Lengths measured · 757 fish
2012Lengths measured · 165 fish
2005Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish North Turtle Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. With 82% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 19-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 82% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 19-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Largemouth bass | Walleye | Crappie |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | 13" |
| 2024 | 18" | — | — |
| 2020 | 18" | 27" | 9" |
| 2016 | 18" | 25" | 13" |
| 2012 | 20" | 19" | 14" |
| 2005 | 20" | 23" | 12" |
| 2001 | 20" | 23" | 14" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Crappie · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Crappie · Jigs & bladed
Beetle Spin
1.5–2" curly-tail grub trailer on a small in-line spinner jighead
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 50,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,454,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,454,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,454,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,454,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
North Turtle Lake is a 1,484-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County immediately northeast of Underwood, MN. North Turtle Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are no navigable inlets or outlets. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical Secchi disk readings ranged from 5.5 to 12.1 feet. The water clarity of North Turtle Lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton/algae blooms.
The majority of the shoreline of North Turtle Lake remains undeveloped. A state-owned public water access was developed along the north shoreline in 2011. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the majority of the shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Read the full DNR narrative
North Turtle Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake, and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available.
A special spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch data indicate that Black Crappies are moderately abundant. The 2020-, 2021-, and 2023- year classes are strong and should provide consistently good Black Crappie angling for several years. Fish sampled ranged in size from 5.3 to 13.9 inches in length, with an average length of 9.7 inches. Fifty-two percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappie growth rates are good with an average length of 11.5 inches at five years of age.
Special harvest regulations for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie were implemented in 2006 and modified in 2016 after public comment. All bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is a 10.0-inch minimum length limit. These regulations were implemented to maintain or improve the size structures of these species.
Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in North Turtle Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future.
North Turtle is currently not listed as an infested waterbody. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
North Turtle Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on North Turtle Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- North Turtle Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
North Turtle Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- South Turtle Lake · 837 ac · 2 mi
- Elbow Lake · 188 ac · 2.9 mi
- German Lake · 77 ac · 3.1 mi
- Fiske Lake · 254 ac · 3.3 mi
- Anna Lake · 598 ac · 3.6 mi
- East Lost Lake · 483 ac · 3.7 mi
- First Silver Lake · 529 ac · 3.9 mi
- Norway Lake · 485 ac · 4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is North Turtle Lake?
North Turtle Lake reaches 19 ft at its deepest point; about 82% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is North Turtle Lake?
North Turtle Lake covers 1,773 acres with about 22.9 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in North Turtle Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on North Turtle Lake average 4.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in North Turtle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is North Turtle Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does North Turtle Lake have a public access?
Yes. North Turtle Lake has one public access site: North Turtle Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in North Turtle Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 18"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2001.
When was North Turtle Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed North Turtle Lake in 2025, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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