Turtle

Turtle Lake is a 2,052 acre lake with 556 littoral acres (27%) and a maximum depth of 137 feet. The 25.8 mile shoreline is moderately developed but interspersed with large undeveloped parcels. There are two inlets, from Hatch and Maple Lake(s), and one outlet through Turtle River. There is a small US Forest Service access on the northeast shore with limited parking. Walleye are a primary management species and have been stocked at various rates and frequencies in the past, but have been stocked at a rate of one pound/littoral acre (556 pounds) in even years since 2002. Rusty crayfish, an invasive species, has been documented at various abundances in past surveys. The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2011. Walleye were listed as the primary management species with a management goal of maintaining a gill net catch rate above 4.0/net. Smallmouth Bass are also considered a primary management species. The goal was to increase or maintain Smallmouth Bass PSD-11 above 80, RSD-14 above 60 and RSD-17 above 20 with a gill net catch rate above 3.0/net. A 12 to 20 inch with one over 20 inches in possession protected slot length special regulation was implemented in the spring of 2006. Northern Pike are considered a secondary management species with management goals of a catch rate less than 3.0/net and fish greater than 34 inches present. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass are also considered secondary management species. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate fingerling stocking and the status of the fishery. Turtle Lake has a long history of Walleye catches that are comparable to lakes with similar habitats. The 2017 catch rate of 4.9/gill net was similar to the previous surveys and met the management goals. There was a diverse range of sizes sampled, similar to previous assessments. Lengths ranged from 12.1 to 29.3 inches with an average length of 17.7 inches. Age analysis suggested year classes were fairly well dispersed. This was the second survey since the Smallmouth Bass regulation was implemented. Smallmouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 3.9/gill net, similar to previous surveys and exceeding management goals. Size structure was good, surpassing management goals and the previous survey. Lengths ranged from 6.1 to 20.1 inches with an average length of 16.2 inches. Electrofishing was also conducted to complement the sample size. Lengths from the electrofishing sample ranged from 4.9 to 19.4 inches with an average length of 14.0 inches. Northern Pike are not abundant and typically sampled below the expected range for similar lakes. The low catches are likely related to limited spawning habitat. The 2017 catch was the lowest since 1954. Lengths ranged from 19.3 to 37.1 inches with a mean length of 24.2 inches. Northern Pike averaged 24.5 inches by age 4. Black Crappie were caught in relatively low numbers yet comparable to lakes with similar habitats. Sample size was too small to accurately assess size structure, though fish almost 12 inches were sampled. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate lower than expected yet similar to previous surveys. Lengths ranged from 5.3 to 8.4 inches. Tullibee were the most abundant species sampled in gill nets, while still within the expected range. Tullibee are likely an important prey species due in part to the range of sizes available and the lack of Yellow Perch. Other species sampled included Bluegill, Bowfin, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and White Sucker.

Turtle Lake is in ecological lake class 22 and is located a mile north of Marcell, MN, in the Bigfork Watershed and Chippewa National Forest. The lake is 2,052 acres and has a maximum depth of 137 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area staff on 3 July, 2017. Twenty-four sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at 21 sites; 11 using a 50-ft seine and 10 using a 15-ft seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 24 sites. Nearshore sampling captured a total of 16 different species; 10 species by seining and 15 species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 7 August, 2017, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

This assessment was conducted as part of the Statewide IBI program. This was the second sampling ofTurtle Lake in 2010.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass 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 137 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Turtle is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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