---
type: lake
name: "Turtle Lake"
county: "Douglas"
nearest_town: "Forada"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 218
max_depth_ft: 21
latitude: 45.77447
longitude: -95.40249
lake_score: 54
dnr_lake_id: "21009000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/turtle-lake
---

# Turtle Lake

Lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, near Forada

- **Surface Area**: 218 acres
- **Max Depth**: 21 ft
- **Average Depth**: 7 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 54/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Turtle Lake is a 218-acre lake near Forada in Douglas County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8.8 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2021.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving.

## 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**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2021
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Nearby Lakes

- [Maple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/maple-lake) - 1.5 miles, 831 acres
- [Lake Reno](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-reno) - 2.3 miles, 3,809 acres
- [Lake Andrew](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-andrew) - 3.2 miles, 923 acres
- [Union Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/union-lake) - 4.1 miles, 107 acres
- [Lake Ann](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/pope-county/lake-ann) - 5.4 miles, 370 acres
- [Lake Mary](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county/lake-mary) - 5.4 miles, 2,450 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.77447,-95.40249)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=21009000)
- [All lakes in Douglas County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/douglas-county)

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