North Turtle

North Turtle Lake is a 1,484-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County immediately northeast of Underwood, MN. North Turtle Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are no navigable inlets or outlets. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Historical Secchi disk readings ranged from 5.5 to 12.1 feet. The water clarity of North Turtle Lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton/algae blooms. The majority of the shoreline of North Turtle Lake remains undeveloped. A state-owned public water access was developed along the north shoreline in 2011. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the majority of the shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. North Turtle Lake can be ecologically classified as a bass-panfish type of lake, and this is reflected in the assemblage of the fish community. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. A special spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch data indicate that Black Crappies are moderately abundant. The 2020-, 2021-, and 2023- year classes are strong and should provide consistently good Black Crappie angling for several years. Fish sampled ranged in size from 5.3 to 13.9 inches in length, with an average length of 9.7 inches. Fifty-two percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Crappie growth rates are good with an average length of 11.5 inches at five years of age. Special harvest regulations for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie were implemented in 2006 and modified in 2016 after public comment. All bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is a 10.0-inch minimum length limit. These regulations were implemented to maintain or improve the size structures of these species. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in North Turtle Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. North Turtle is currently not listed as an infested waterbody. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

North Turtle Lake is a 1,484-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County located immediately northeast of Underwood, MN. North Turtle Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are no navigable inlets or outlets. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Secchi disk readings have ranged from 2.7 to 12.1 feet. The majority of the shoreline of North Turtle Lake remains undeveloped. A state owned public water access was developed along the north shoreline in 2011. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the majority of the shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to analyze the Largemouth Bass population. Catch data indicate that North Turtle Lake has a moderate-density Largemouth Bass population. Age data indicate that bass reproduction is consistently good. Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6.9 to 18.1 inches with an average length and weight of 13.2 inches and 1.6 pounds. Bass attain an average length of 15.3 inches at five years of age. A special harvest regulation for Largemouth Bass was implemented in 2006 and modified in 2016 after data analysis and public comment. All bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. This regulation was implemented in an attempt to maintain or improve the size structure of the bass population. A long-term evaluation of the Largemouth Bass population indicates that the regulation has been successful. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in North Turtle Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. North Turtle Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

North Turtle Lake is a 1,484-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County located immediately northeast of Underwood, MN. North Turtle Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. There are no navigable inlets or outlets. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 19 feet; however, 98% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2020 survey was 2.7 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 4.0 to 12.1 feet. The water clarity of North Turtle Lake sometimes diminishes during the summer months due to plankton/algae blooms. The majority of the shoreline of North Turtle Lake remains undeveloped. A state owned public water access was developed along the north shoreline in 2011. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are prevalent along the majority of the shoreline. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A special gillnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Walleye and Northern Pike populations. Walleye abundance has historically been low. Walleyes ranged in length from 21.7 to 27.6 inches with an average length and weight of 25.1 inches and 6.1 pounds. A moderate to high density Northern Pike population exists. Age data indicate that Northern Pike reproduction is consistently good. Pike ranged in length from 17.7 to 30.2 inches with an average length and weight of 24.0 inches and 3.4 pounds. Northern Pike attain an average length of 24.4 inches at four years of age. Age and catch data also indicate that the 2019 year class of Black Crappie is very strong. The 2019 year class should provide excellent crappie fishing in the future. Special harvest regulations for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie were implemented in 2006 and modified in 2016 after public comment. All Largemouth Bass 14.0 inches and larger must be immediately released with the exception of one over 20.0 inches allowed in possession. The Black Crappie regulation is a 10.0-inch minimum length limit. These regulations were implemented in an attempt to maintain or improve the size structures of these species. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in North Turtle Lake by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. North Turtle Lake is not listed as an infested water. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch in North Turtle. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

North Turtle has a maximum depth of 19 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in North Turtle is from 2024.

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