Little Turtle Lake

Little Turtle Lake near 47.6095, -93.7638 is a lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. Little Turtle Lake covers about 485 acres, reaches a recorded 30 feet and holds about 6,302 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Little Turtle Lake Affect Fishing

Little Turtle Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Little Turtle Lake

Fish reported from Little Turtle Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brown bullhead, cisco, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Little Turtle Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Little Turtle Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Little Turtle Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Northern Pike

For large predators at Little Turtle Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Little Turtle Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Little Turtle Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

Rock Bass

At Little Turtle Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco

For other cold-water fish at Little Turtle Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.

How the Seasons Change Little Turtle Lake

Spring at Little Turtle Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Little Turtle Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Little Turtle Lake

On a first trip to Little Turtle Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Little Turtle Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Little Turtle Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.

Little Turtle Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 485-acre Little Turtle Lake?

At Little Turtle Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 30-foot deep end of Little Turtle Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Little Turtle Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 6,302 acre-foot storage figure mean at Little Turtle Lake?

At Little Turtle Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.