Turtle

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. 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.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Turtle Lake was conducted on August 2, 2017 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Ten sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine. Nearshore sampling captured 14 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2014 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Turtle Lake is in exceptional health as indicated by an FIBI score well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Buffalo River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Turtle Lake is a small (187 acres), deep (73 feet), heavily-developed lake located on the boundary between Becker County and Clay County. The lake has been primarily regarded as a bass and panfish lake, although Northern Pike and Walleyes are also present. Along with fluctuating water levels, the fish community in this groundwater influenced lake has been impacted by fishing pressure, fish stocking, water chemistry, and fish habitat changes. Northern Pike were stocked often in the 1960's and 1970's. None have been stocked here since 1989. The population sustains itself through natural reproduction in the spawning area just north of the lake. Pike over 30.0 inches long were not found in 2014 and the average length of sampled Northern Pike was just under 19.0 inches. Walleye spawning habitat is lacking in Turtle Lake but fingerling stocking has helped to sustain a fishable population. Only Walleyes have been stocked during the past two decades. The lake was identified 15 years ago as one that might benefit from increased stocking. The Walleye stocking rate was doubled to two pounds of fingerlings per littoral acre, biennially, in 1999. Increased Walleye stocking has not resulted in increased catch rates. In fact, the 2014 Walleye catch rate was the second lowest in history. The potential cause is predation due to the dramatic increase in pike numbers. Pike catches increased to a historic high in 2014 and Yellow Perch and Walleye populations have been detrimentally impacted. In 2014, sampled Walleyes averaged a relatively large 19.3 inches in length and 2.7 pounds in weight. Abundant, slow-growing Bluegills have been reported as part of Turtle Lake's fish community since the initial fisheries survey in 1947. In 2014, the average length of Bluegills sampled in trap nets was 6.9 inches. Several fish over eight inches were found and growth rates were only slightly slower than normal compared to statewide age and growth indices. Despite permitted, private stocking of 3,000 Black Crappie yearlings in 2013, no crappies were caught in test nets. However, several were caught while electrofishing in May, 2014. They averaged 9.3 inches in length and none were younger than age four. Previously, crappies were found in large numbers in Turtle Lake during only two surveys-the 1975 and the 1982. Crappies are known to benefit from more turbid water conditions than most other gamefish and panfish species. Interestingly, water clarities were significantly lower in Turtle Lake during the 1970's and early 1980's than in more recent years. Algal blooms were reportedly more common then as well. Fish populations in any lake are reflections of their habitat and watershed. Turtle Lake's diverse fish community continues to reflect relatively good water quality. There are very few Black Bullheads, a species that is favored by turbid water. Turtle Lake and its surrounding watershed are heavily developed and the lake is vulnerable to cultural eutrophication (aging). Unchecked development of this watershed could tip the balance toward smelly algal blooms and a fish community dominated by bullheads. Lakeshore owners have not only battled against high water levels, but also for good water quality. Landowners are encouraged to apply "best management practices" in order to maintain property values, water quality, and fish populations.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Bluegill in Turtle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Turtle. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Turtle has a maximum depth of 73 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Turtle is from 2020.

Yes — Turtle has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.