Fishing Turtle Lake in Morrison County, Minnesota

• Overview

  This water sits in Morrison County, Minnesota. The land about it is pine and birch. Around 112 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. About 2.1 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Few waters listed in Morrison County are bigger. Start from Staples, 11 miles down the road. Long Prairie follows at 16 miles, then Little Falls at 25 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Turtle Lake

  Published depth figures reach 45 feet at the lowest point. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Morrison County records list largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike and black crappie among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read Turtle Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 8°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid April. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to Turtle Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. There is camping recorded roughly 0.9 miles off. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Peat Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Turtle Lake are worth checking on the day.