---
type: lake
name: "Turtle Lake"
county: "Todd"
nearest_town: "Staples"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 112
max_depth_ft: 39
latitude: 46.19251
longitude: -94.77016
lake_score: 60
dnr_lake_id: "77008800"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/turtle-lake
---

# Turtle Lake

Lake in Todd County, Minnesota, near Staples

- **Surface Area**: 112 acres
- **Max Depth**: 39 ft
- **Average Depth**: 20 ft
- **Shoreline**: 2.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 12.5 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 an 112-acre lake near Staples in Todd County, Minnesota. It reaches 39 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 20 feet, and has roughly 2.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 12.5 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 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 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR.

## 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**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **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, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Nearby Lakes

- [Fawn Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/fawn-lake) - 2 miles, 125 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/rice-lake) - 3.8 miles, 562 acres
- [Thunder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/thunder-lake) - 5.2 miles, 214 acres
- [Big Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/big-lake) - 5.4 miles, 297 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/horseshoe-lake) - 5.9 miles, 121 acres
- [Pine Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county/pine-island-lake) - 6 miles, 238 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.19251,-94.77016)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=77008800)
- [All lakes in Todd County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/todd-county)

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