Turtle

Polk County

Near Fosston

DOW: 60003200

WalleyeGood · 73Northern PikeGood · 56Yellow PerchAverage · 46

A 525-acre lake near Fosston in Polk County — best known for walleye and pike. Last surveyed 1991.

Fish Species (8)

Walleye

Stocked 2024

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.03 lbs

Catch rate: 28.0 per gill net · typical 1.5–5.8 for a lake like this

Stocked with fry irregularly · 1,066,005 fish total

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1981	28.00	-	1.03 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1981	4.62	-	0.96 lbs	Standard trap nets

Stocking Details

Year	Size	Number	Pounds	Agency
2024	fry	527,443	4.9	-
2023	fry	538,562	4.4	-

Northern Pike

Good · 56

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.71 lbs

Catch rate: 11.3 per gill net · typical 4.6–11.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	11.25	-	1.71 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1991	1.43	-	1.37 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1981	4.50	-	1.33 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 46

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.80 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	0.25	-	0.80 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 31, 1981	3.50	-	0.44 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 45

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1981

Last surveyed 1981 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.45 lbs

Catch rate: 0.88 per trap net · typical 2.5–25 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 31, 1981	0.88	-	0.45 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1981	2.50	-	0.03 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 22

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.14 per trap net · typical 1.4–8.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	0.14	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (3)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Black Bullhead

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.12 lbs

Catch rate: 135.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–17.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	211.75	-	0.18 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1991	135.00	-	0.12 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1981	1.00	-	0.49 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 50

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1991

Last surveyed 1991 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.23 lbs

Catch rate: 8.1 per trap net · typical 1.5–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	2.50	-	0.85 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1991	8.14	-	0.23 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1981	2.12	-	1.49 lbs	Standard trap nets

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 17, 1991	4.50	-	0.77 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 17, 1991	0.14	-	4.50 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 31, 1981	2.00	-	1.80 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

June 17, 1991FOLLOWING SEVERAL YEARS OF MODERATE WINTER-KILL, TURTLE LAKE'S FISH POPULATION STATUS HAS REVERTED TO ITS ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION-BLH. NOP AND WTS N…

FOLLOWING SEVERAL YEARS OF MODERATE WINTER-KILL, TURTLE LAKE'S FISH POPULATION STATUS HAS REVERTED TO ITS ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION-BLH. NOP AND WTS NUMBERS REMAIN STRONG AS WELL. NOP EXHIBIT AN ABOVE AVERAGE GROWTH RATE. CEN AND PERCID SPECIES HAVE BEEN NEARLY ELIMINATED BY LOW DISSOLVED OXYGEN LEVELS DURING WINTER.

July 31, 1981High population of Walleye, N Pike and Bluegill populations are slightly above average.

High population of Walleye, N Pike and Bluegill populations are slightly above average.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Turtle?

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

Is there public access at Turtle?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Turtle. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Turtle?

Turtle has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Turtle last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Turtle is from 1991. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Turtle have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Turtle?

No — Turtle has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.