Minnesota · Becker County
Turtle Lake Fishing guide
Turtle Lake sits in Becker County, Minnesota, and covers 196 acres, reaching 73 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 14.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2020, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets. That survey is 6 years old now.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1per gill net20"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 26 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 7 fish
2020Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 19 fish
2014Lengths measured · 19 fish
2008Lengths measured · 35 fish
2001Largemouth bassFair numbers32per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 89 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 33 fish
2020Lengths measured · 56 fish
2014Lengths measured · 24 fish
2008Lengths measured · 9 fish
2001Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeOne of the best around18.4per gill net17"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 247 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 95 fish
2020Lengths measured · 152 fish
2014Lengths measured · 115 fish
2008Lengths measured · 20 fish
2001BluegillJust a few22.1per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 466 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 156 fish
2020Lengths measured · 310 fish
2014Lengths measured · 558 fish
2008Lengths measured · 662 fish
2001CrappieLast stocked 2025Just a few0.1per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 3 fish
2020Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 32 fish
2014Lengths measured · 14 fish
2008Lengths measured · 2 fish
2001Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchFair numbers2.2per gill net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 13 fish
2014Lengths measured · 8 fish
2008Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 663 fish
2001Lengths measured · 84 fish
1994Rock bassElite fishery4.9per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 101 fish
Recent · 2014 + 2020Lengths measured · 57 fish
2020Lengths measured · 44 fish
2014Lengths measured · 37 fish
2008Lengths measured · 100 fish
2001Rates 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 Turtle Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 73 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 73 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 30" | 24" | 17" |
| 2014 | 29" | 25" | 18" |
| 2008 | 35" | 28" | 18" |
| 2001 | 30" | 24" | 16" |
| 1994 | 27" | 26" | 13" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Black Crappie | 1,700 adults |
| 2025 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
| 2024 | Black Crappie | 1,850 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 70,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2020 survey
Turtle Lake is a 196-acre lake located in western Becker County. The lake possesses a heavily developed shoreline and receives significant recreational use and angling pressure. Lake survey assessments are completed periodically on Turtle Lake to highlight and track changes in species presence and abundance over time.
Walleye are stocked biennially in Turtle Lake. Walleye catch rates have been variable in this lake since initial surveying in 1964. The 2020 mean catch rate was one Walleye per net, similar to what was observed in 2014. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 17.8 to 24.9 inches, averaging 20.6 inches. Size distribution of sampled Walleye indicate a population dominated by large, older fish.
Read the full DNR narrative
Gill net catch rates of Northern Pike have increased in Turtle Lake over the last several decades, likely as a result of several high water years leading to improved pike spawning habitat. On average, about 14 pike were caught per net in the 2020 survey. Sampled pike ranged in length from 10.4 to 30.9 inches, averaging 18.1 inches long.
The average catch rate of Yellow Perch has fallen below three perch per gill net in the last three surveys, a large decline since the 2001 survey. No Yellow Perch were sampled in the 2020 survey, indicative of very low perch abundance in recent years.
In the 2020 survey Bluegill were found to be in low abundance. Bluegill ranged in length from 2.8 to 9.4 inches, with a mean length of 6.7 inches. An average eight inch Bluegill was found to be 7 to 8 years old.
Black Crappie ranged in length from 4.8 to 11.3 inches, while Largemouth Bass caught during the survey ranged in length from 5.7 to 17.6 inches.
Additional species sampled in 2020 included Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and White Sucker. Bullhead and Rock Bass were caught in modest numbers. Hybrid sunfish were found to range in length from 3.8 to 9.5 inches and averaged 8.3 inches long.
Anglers can help to maintain Turtle Lake's valuable fishery by voluntarily releasing a portion of medium-large size fish and harvesting smaller fish for eating, specifically Northern Pike and Bluegill. Shoreline owners can help to maintain or improve water quality and fish habitat by leaving shoreline buffer zones, by leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact, by taking precautions to prevent invasive species introductions, and by using wise land management practices.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Turtle Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on 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
- Turtle Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Turtle Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Upper Cormorant Lake · 974 ac · 1.9 mi
- Fifteen Lake · 154 ac · 2.6 mi
- Bijou Lake · 225 ac · 3.1 mi
- Middle Cormorant Lake · 373 ac · 3.6 mi
- Stakke Lake · 497 ac · 4.3 mi
- Ida Lake · 632 ac · 5.3 mi
- Sand Lake · 311 ac · 5.7 mi
- Big Cormorant Lake · 3,657 ac · 5.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Turtle Lake?
Turtle Lake reaches 73 ft at its deepest point; about 36% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Turtle Lake?
Turtle Lake covers 196 acres with about 2.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Turtle Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Turtle Lake average 14.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Turtle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2020) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Turtle Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Turtle Lake have a public access?
Yes. Turtle Lake has one public access site: Turtle Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Turtle Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Turtle Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Turtle Lake in 2020, the most recent of 10 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Page updated .
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