Turtle Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

31072500

County

Itasca

Surface area

2,126 acres

Maximum depth

137 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

556 acres, 26% of the lake

Shoreline

25.8 miles

Average water clarity

14.8 feet (Secchi disk, 2 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Marcell

Latest DNR fish survey

August 2017, standard survey

Surveys on record

14, since 1950

Game fish caught in the 2017 survey

bluegill 178, smallmouth bass 146, rock bass 77, walleye 67, largemouth bass 50, northern pike 23, yellow perch 21, black crappie 11

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, walleye, yellow perch, and 26 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fingerlings (9,652)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fingerlings (10,759); walleye fingerlings (2,200)

Stocked in 2021

walleye fingerlings (8,490); walleye fingerlings (2,530)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Turtle Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 3 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Special regulation

Smallmouth Bass: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

Fish consumption

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

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

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.