---
type: lake
name: "South Turtle Lake"
county: "Otter Tail"
nearest_town: "Underwood"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 837
max_depth_ft: 35
latitude: 46.27996
longitude: -95.79328
lake_score: 65
dnr_lake_id: "56037700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/south-turtle-lake
---

# South Turtle Lake

Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, near Underwood

- **Surface Area**: 837 acres
- **Max Depth**: 35 ft
- **Shoreline**: 11 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 14.6 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 65/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

South Turtle Lake is an 837-acre lake near Underwood in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It reaches 35 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 11 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14.6 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 13 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 2018.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 17, based on 10 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**: 13
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2018
- **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, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 17
- **Years of record**: 10
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-05
- **Latest**: 2013-05-11

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fiske Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/fiske-lake) - 1.5 miles, 254 acres
- [North Turtle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/north-turtle-lake) - 2.2 miles, 1,773 acres
- [Elbow Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/elbow-lake) - 2.3 miles, 188 acres
- [German Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/german-lake) - 2.8 miles, 77 acres
- [First Silver Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/first-silver-lake) - 3.6 miles, 529 acres
- [Long Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county/long-lake-underwood) - 3.6 miles, 204 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.27996,-95.79328)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=56037700)
- [All lakes in Otter Tail County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/otter-tail-county)

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