South Turtle Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

56037700

County

Otter Tail

Surface area

837 acres

Maximum depth

35 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

398 acres, 48% of the lake

Shoreline

11.0 miles

Average water clarity

14.6 feet (Secchi disk, 2 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Underwood

Latest DNR fish survey

July 2018, targeted survey

Surveys on record

7, since 1981

Game fish caught in the 2018 survey

bluegill 531, largemouth bass 87, yellow perch 81, pumpkinseed 52, green sunfish 47, hybrid sunfish 22, northern pike 2

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, yellow perch, and 15 other species

Stocked in 2024

walleye fry (597,000)

Stocked in 2022

walleye fry (597,000)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fry (597,000)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2016 to 2024)

South Turtle Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 12 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.