North Turtle Lake

North Turtle Lake is a lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. North Turtle Lake covers about 1,773 acres, reaches a recorded 19 feet and holds about 12,357 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of North Turtle Lake Affect Fishing

North Turtle Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.

Fish and Baits at North Turtle Lake

Fish reported from North Turtle Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, golden shiner, green sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at North Turtle, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

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

Walleye

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

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads

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

How the Seasons Change North Turtle Lake

Spring at North Turtle 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 North Turtle can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing North Turtle Lake

On a first trip to North Turtle, 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 North Turtle Lake

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

North Turtle Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 1,773-acre North Turtle Lake?

At North Turtle, 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 19-foot deep end of North Turtle Lake?

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

What does the 12,357 acre-foot storage figure mean at North Turtle Lake?

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