---
type: lake
name: "Turtle Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Marcell"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 2126
max_depth_ft: 137
latitude: 47.62741
longitude: -93.71163
lake_score: 71
dnr_lake_id: "31072500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/turtle-lake
---

# Turtle Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Marcell

- **Surface Area**: 2,126 acres
- **Max Depth**: 137 ft
- **Shoreline**: 25.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 71/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Turtle Lake is a 2,126-acre lake near Marcell in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 137 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 25.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.8 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 15 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 smallmouth bass, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2017.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 25, based on 19 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

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

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 15
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2017
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Smallmouth Bass**: All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

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

## Invasive Species

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

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 25
- **Years of record**: 19
- **Earliest**: 2017-04-10
- **Latest**: 2008-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Grass Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/grass-lake) - 0.9 miles, 120 acres
- [Maple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/maple-lake) - 1.5 miles, 255 acres
- [Johnson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/johnson-lake-marcell) - 2.6 miles, 304 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/horseshoe-lake) - 2.7 miles, 260 acres
- [Little Turtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-turtle-lake) - 2.7 miles, 492 acres
- [Bello Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/bello-lake) - 2.8 miles, 527 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.62741,-93.71163)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31072500)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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