Minnesota · Douglas County
Turtle Lake Fishing guide
Turtle Lake covers 218 acres in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 21 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 8.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10.7per gill net12"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 65 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 65 fish
2021Lengths measured · 90 fish
2015Lengths measured · 105 fish
2010Lengths measured · 16 fish
2005Largemouth bassGood numbers69.3per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 162 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 162 fish
2021Lengths measured · 94 fish
2015Lengths measured · 95 fish
2010Lengths measured · 47 fish
2005Northern pikeJust a few2.3per gill net21"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 15 fish
2021Lengths measured · 47 fish
2015Lengths measured · 51 fish
2010Lengths measured · 51 fish
2005BluegillFair numbers48.1per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 437 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 437 fish
2021Lengths measured · 458 fish
2015Lengths measured · 84 fish
2010Lengths measured · 74 fish
2005CrappieJust a few9.6per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 116 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 116 fish
2021Lengths measured · 187 fish
2015Lengths measured · 294 fish
2010Lengths measured · 36 fish
2005Yellow perchGood numbers9.3per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 68 fish
2021Lengths measured · 152 fish
2015Lengths measured · 94 fish
2010Lengths measured · 51 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 Turtle Lake through the year
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 88% 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.
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 88% 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.
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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26" | 19" | 28" |
| 2015 | 25" | 17" | 26" |
| 2010 | 22" | 17" | 25" |
| 2005 | 25" | 19" | 26" |
| 2000 | 25" | 20" | 30" |
| 1994 | 27" | 16" | 25" |
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:
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Flipping/Punching Creature Bait
4" beaver/creature-style bait
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Weedless Spoon + Trailer (Silver Minnow)
3/8–1/2 oz weedless spoon
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Weighted-EWG Weedless Swimbait
5" paddletail swimbait
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 | Walleye | 2,052 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,728 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 2,187 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 3,986 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,326 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Turtle Lake is a shallow, productive basin located in southern Douglas County. Consisting of two large bays, average depth is only 7.0 feet and aquatic vegetation is common. Water clarity was approximately 13.0 feet at the time of the July survey. A concrete boat launch is located in the southwest corner of Turtle Lake just off Douglas County Road 88 SW.
Turtle Lake supports an abundant Walleye population (10.7/gill net). Average size was 14.8 inches and 1.3 pounds. Despite a moderate average size, approximately 25% of the population currently exceeds 18.0 inches. Rapid growth rates allow smaller individuals to reach desirable lengths quickly. Two- and five-year-olds were the most common. Alternate year fingerling and yearling stocking efforts appear to be creating a productive fishery.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike catch rates (2.3/gill net) were slightly below the statewide average of similar lakes (4.7/gill net). Approximately 50% of Northern Pike were between 14.0 and 21.0 inches. The largest individual was 28.6 inches. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the liberalized pike harvest regulation (anglers are able to keep up to 10 pike with no more than two fish longer than 26 inches; all fish from 22-26 inches must be released). Largemouth Bass are common (69.3 bass/hour of electrofishing). Average length was 7.8 inches, but large bass are present. Maximum length was 19.8 inches. On average, it took 5.3 years for bass to reach 12.0 inches. Bluegill abundance was high (48.1/trap net). Over 65% of individuals were between 6.0 and 8.0 inches. The largest individual was 8.3 inches. High densities appear to be limiting growth and total length. Anglers are encouraged to harvest the abundant, moderately-sized Bluegill (6.0-8.0 inches). Reduced densities would allow some individuals to grow larger. Black Crappie were abundant, but most were not large enough to contribute to the fishery (average length was 7.1 inches). Low average size is related to the strong one- and two-year-old year classes. A remnant of the strong 2014 year class will provide the opportunity for some larger crappies. Maximum size of crappie in 2021 was 11.4 inches. Yellow Perch were common (9.3/gill net), but average size was modest. Over 95% of all perch were between 5.0 and 8.0 inches.
Other species recorded in the 2021 lake survey included Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed and Yellow bullhead. The next lake survey is scheduled for 2027.
Turtle Lake is designated as infested with zebra mussels. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to other lakes.
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
- Maple Lake · 831 ac · 1.3 mi
- Lake Reno · 3,809 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lake Andrew · 923 ac · 3.4 mi
- Union Lake · 107 ac · 4.1 mi
- Lake Mary · 2,450 ac · 5.2 mi
- Ann Lake · 370 ac · 5.4 mi
- Pocket Lake · 263 ac · 5.7 mi
- Lake Burgan · 174 ac · 5.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Turtle Lake?
Turtle Lake reaches 21 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 7 ft; about 88% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Turtle Lake?
Turtle Lake covers 218 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Turtle Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Turtle Lake average 8.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Turtle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Turtle Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Turtle Lake have a public access?
Yes. Turtle Lake has one public access site: Turtle Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Turtle Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; 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 2021, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Turtle Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open Turtle Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report