Little Turtle Lake
About Little Turtle Lake
Little Turtle Lake is a 469-acre lake near Puposky in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 25 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 5.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 26, based on 15 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Little Turtle Lake
- 469 acres, up to 25 feet deep, near Puposky
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 5.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 469 acres
- Max depth
- 25 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 5.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 302 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 16
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2021
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Northern Pike: All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30".
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 26
- Years of record
- 15
- Earliest
- April 11, 2016
- Latest
- May 14, 2013
- Most recent
- April 23, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Turtle Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Larson Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Puposky203 acres
1.7 miles away
Turtle Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Bemidji1,607 acres
1.7 miles away
Lake Julia
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Puposky511 acres
2.1 miles away
Campbell Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Puposky463 acres
2.5 miles away
Fox Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Werner165 acres
3 miles away
Black Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreBeltrami · Turtle River271 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Turtle Lake?
Little Turtle Lake is in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Puposky. It covers 469 acres and reaches 25 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Turtle Lake?
Little Turtle Lake covers 469 acres with about 5.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 25 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Turtle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Tullibee (Cisco) and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Turtle Lake?
Yes. Little Turtle Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Little Turtle Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Turtle Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Turtle Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Little Turtle Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Little Turtle Lake?
Yes. All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30". Daily limit five.
When does the ice go out on Little Turtle Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 26, from 15 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 11, 2016 and the latest is May 14, 2013.