Turtle River Lake

Turtle River Lake is a lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota. Turtle River Lake covers about 1,780 acres, reaches a recorded 63 feet and holds about 33,262 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Turtle River Lake Affect Fishing

Turtle River 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 Turtle River Lake

Fish reported from Turtle River Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, golden shiner, hornyhead chub, iowa darter, johnny darter, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, logperch, longear sunfish, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, trout perch, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

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

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

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

Walleye

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

Northern Pike

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

Bullheads

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

Other Reported Fish

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

Rock Bass

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

Cisco, Lake Whitefish, and Burbot

For other cold-water fish at Turtle River, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and keep a small jig or natural bait near clean bottom for lake whitefish, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.

How the Seasons Change Turtle River Lake

Spring at Turtle River is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Turtle River can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Turtle River Lake

On a first trip to Turtle River, 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 Turtle River Lake

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

Turtle River Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 1,780-acre Turtle River Lake?

At Turtle River, 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 63-foot deep end of Turtle River Lake?

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

What does the 33,262 acre-foot storage figure mean at Turtle River Lake?

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