---
type: lake
name: "Turtle Lake"
county: "Beltrami"
nearest_town: "Bemidji"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1607
max_depth_ft: 45
latitude: 47.61834
longitude: -94.86617
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "04015900"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/turtle-lake
---

# Turtle Lake

Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota, near Bemidji

- **Surface Area**: 1,607 acres
- **Max Depth**: 45 ft
- **Shoreline**: 11.4 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 60/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Turtle Lake is a 1,607-acre lake near Bemidji in Beltrami County, Minnesota. It reaches 45 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 11.4 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.9 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to northern pike and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with starry stonewort — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 61 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 17
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Northern Pike**: All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30".
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

starry stonewort. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 23
- **Years of record**: 61
- **Earliest**: 2012-03-25
- **Latest**: 2013-05-14

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fox Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/fox-lake) - 1.3 miles, 165 acres
- [Little Turtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/little-turtle-lake) - 1.7 miles, 469 acres
- [Movil Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/movil-lake) - 2 miles, 855 acres
- [Black Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/black-lake) - 2.4 miles, 271 acres
- [Larson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/larson-lake) - 2.7 miles, 203 acres
- [Three Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/three-island-lake) - 2.9 miles, 729 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.61834,-94.86617)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=04015900)
- [All lakes in Beltrami County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/beltrami-county/turtle-lake)*