Upper Red Lake vs Turtle River
Two of the top-scoring lakes in Beltrami County, Minnesota, side by side.
Upper Red Lake is the larger of the two at 119,294 acres against 1,740 for Turtle River. On our rankings, Upper Red Lake comes out ahead for fishing, Turtle River comes out ahead for swimming, Upper Red Lake comes out ahead for boating, Upper Red Lake comes out ahead for camping, Turtle River comes out ahead for paddling, and Upper Red Lake comes out ahead for ice fishing.
| Measure | Upper Red Lake | Turtle River |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Score | 76 / 100 | 72 / 100 |
| Nearest town | Waskish | Turtle River |
| Surface area | 119,294 acres | 1,740 acres |
| Max depth | 15 ft | 63 ft |
| Shoreline | 59.2 mi | 17.3 mi |
| Water clarity | — | 9.2 ft |
| Public access | 2 public boat launches (concrete) | 1 public boat launch (concrete) |
| Fish species | 14 | 20 |
| Game fish | Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch | Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie |
| Stocked | Yes | Yes |
| Special regulations | Yes | Yes |
| Swim beach | Yes | Yes |
| Camping | Yes | No |
| Invasive species | starry stonewort | starry stonewort, zebra mussel |
Which lake is better for…
- FishingUpper Red Lake
- SwimmingTurtle River
- BoatingUpper Red Lake
- CampingUpper Red Lake
- PaddlingTurtle River
- Ice FishingUpper Red Lake
The lakes
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Upper Red Lake or Turtle River?
Upper Red Lake is bigger at 119,294 acres; Turtle River covers 1,740 acres.
Which is deeper, Upper Red Lake or Turtle River?
Turtle River is deeper, with a maximum depth of 63 feet against 15 feet.
Is Upper Red Lake or Turtle River better for fishing?
Upper Red Lake ranks higher for fishing in this directory, based on game species, lake size, access and stocking. Upper Red Lake lists 14 species and Turtle River lists 20.