Little Turtle

The 2015 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Bluegill and Walleye were primary management species while Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike were secondary. The LMP goal was to maintain a Walleye gill-net catch rate at 5.0/net. Only gill nets were used in the 2020 survey. Information from the 2020 spring electrofishing survey for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass are presented in another report. Northern Pike gill-net catches have ranged from 6.8 fish/net in 2020 to 13.3 fish/net in 1982. The catch in 2020 was the lowest on record but similar to lakes with similar habitat. The sampled fish ranged from 15.1 to 31.9 inches and averaged 21.8 inches. Seven age-classes were estimated with fish from age 1 to 7 represented. Pike averaged 21.7 inches by age 4; which was similar to the statewide average of 20.5 inches. Voluntary release of larger pike is encouraged so those genetics can be passed on to future generations. Walleye have been actively managed for many years. The most recent strategy has been to stock 2 lbs of fall fingerlings/littoral acre (452 lbs) every other year. Gill-net catch rates have ranged from 2.1/net in 1988 to 10.3/net in 1982. The 2020 catch of 6.8 was above average for the lake (5.2/net). The sampled fish ranged from 9.2 to 23.4 inches and averaged 15.1 inches. The five year-classes sampled included fish from 2 to 8 years old. Roughly 90% of the fish were age 2 or 4, both stocked years. Based on the lake habitat only limited natural reproduction is anticipated. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 14.7 inches at age 4. The Walleye population likely provides some good angling. Yellow Perch gill-net catch rates have varied from 24.6 fish/net in 2020 to 112.2 fish/net in 2006. The 2020 catch was the lowest on record yet above average for similar lakes. Perch catches have generally been high with poor size distributions. The sampled fish ranged from 4.1 to 8.5 inches and averaged 6.0 inches. Perch are likely more important as prey for predators like bass, pike and Walleye than they are of interest to anglers. Tullibee can be difficult to sample because they frequently live suspended over deep water, an area the survey nets were not designed to sample. However, they are important to fish communities as a prey source for large predators. Tullibee gill-net catch rates have ranged from 0.6 fish/net in 2020 to 25.5 fish/net in 1974. The 2020 catch was the lowest on record. The five sampled fish ranged from 13.9 to 14.8 inches and averaged 14.2 inches. It appears only one year-class was sampled based on the length distribution. Other species sampled included Brown Bullhead, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Little Turtle Lake has a history of producing quality Bluegill and has been considered for a special harvest regulation. The 2015 Lake Management Plan (LMP) indicated that Bluegill was a primary management species while Largemouth Bass was a secondary species. The LMP goal for Bluegill was to maintain a size distribution having ?60% longer than 6 inches, 20% longer than 8 inches, and at least some 10-inch fish represented. There was no specific LMP goal for Largemouth Bass. During the spring of 2020, night electrofishing was used to sample the Bluegill and Largemouth Bass populations. A total of 138 Bluegill and one Hybrid Sunfish were sampled. The sampled fish ranged from 3.1 to 8.9 inches and averaged 5.6 inches. Only one fish exceeded 8 inches. Consequently, the LMP size distribution goals were not met. Males and females were equally represented in the sample. Six age-classes were present with fish ranging from age 2 to 8. Age-5 fish represented more than 50% of the sample, while age 3, 4, and 5 represented 84%. Growth was slightly faster than other lakes with similar habitat. Fish averaged 6.1 inches after five years of growth. Age and growth information appears to reflect a population with variable recruitment and/or recent angler harvest of the larger, older individuals. Anglers are encouraged to release some of the larger fish they catch because large males have a reproductive strategy that helps maintain quality size structure. Spring night electrofishing for bass occurred in 2020 for only the second time. Twenty-six Largemouth Bass were captured for a catch rate of 19.5 fish/hour compared to 16 fish (12 fish/hour) in 2020. Size distributions were similar between samples; the 2020 sample included fish from 11.1 to 18.5 inches that averaged 15.2 inches. Nine age-classes were estimated from scales with fish ranging from age 3 to 12. Growth was similar to statewide averages. Five year-old fish averaged nearly 14 inches. The two electrofishing samples suggest the lake maintains a relatively low-density population with moderate size structure.

Little Turtle Lake is located just north of Talmoon, MN in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. The lake management plan (LMP) was last updated in 2014. Walleye and Bluegill were considered primary management species and Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass were considered secondary management species. Past sampling has indicated quality Bluegill and Black Crappie populations. Little Turtle may be considered for a special sunfish regulation to maintain size quality. A targeted survey using trap nets was conducted in June 2019 to evaluate the status of Bluegill and Black Crappie in the lake. The survey consisted of 18 trap net sets. A similar survey was conducted in June 2014. Caution should be used when interpreting spring catch rates. The timing of sampling in relation to spring weather conditions and fish movements can result in variable catch rates that are not comparable to standard summer sampling. The Bluegill trap-net catch rate was similar to the previous survey at 16.7/net. Size structure decreased slightly, but was still favorable. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.7 to 9.6 inches with an average length of 6.3 inches. The size distribution was influenced by the age structure of the sample. Recruitment appeared consistent but variable. Ages 3 through 10 were represented, but a strong 2015 year class (age 4) made up 42% of the sample. This resulted in a high proportion of fish under 6 inches. As in the previous survey, growth was faster than average compared to similar lakes. Bluegill averaged 7.5 inches after 6 years. Little Turtle offers good angling opportunities for Bluegill and appears to be a good candidate for a reduced bag limit regulation to maintain or improve size structure. Anglers are encouraged to limit harvest to 5 or fewer Bluegill and release fish exceeding 8 inches. The Black Crappie catch rate was similar to the previous survey at 2.9/net. Size structure was favorable, as crappie ranged from 7.6 to 12.3 inches with an average length of 10.3 inches. Age analysis identified six year classes with variable recruitment. Ages 4 through 6 made up the majority of the sample. Growth was considered average compared to similar lakes. Black Crappie averaged 9.9 inches after 5 years. Little Turtle likely offers good angling opportunities for crappie at times. Other species sampled included Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, and Yellow Perch in Little Turtle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Turtle has a maximum depth of 29 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for Little Turtle in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.