Turtle River Fishing
Beltrami County, 1,740 acres, 63 feet deep.
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Turtle River in numbers
In Beltrami County, Turtle River spreads across 1,740 acres as a river impoundment. It reaches 63 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 20 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 718 acres, or 41%. Census data put Turtle River nearest, around 2 miles away. The Bemidji DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 2 public water accesses. A standard survey on August 31, 2021 is the newest on file. At 4.27 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 1.3-5.5 normal range. Ice usually leaves around April 22, the DNR median across 17 records.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on August 31, 2021.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 64 | 4.27 | 1.3-5.5 | 1.55 | 1.2-2.4 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 11 | 0.73 | 0.2-0.7 | 2.64 | 0.9-2.9 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 150 | 10 | 3.1-8.5 | 1.76 | 1.5-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 20 | 1.33 | 2.36 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 207 | 13.8 | 2.5-24.2 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 64 | 4.27 | 0.5-2.7 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 34 | 2.27 | 0.5-2.7 | 0.55 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.7-3.2 | 0.32 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 34 | 2.27 | 0.48 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 65 | 4.33 | 5.6-42.3 | 0.28 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 5 | 0.33 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.87 | 0.5-1.1 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 9 | 0.6 | 0.3-1.1 | 0.15 | 0.2-0.9 |
What the Turtle River gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Turtle River
“Turtle River Lake is a 1,740-acre lake located 10 miles northeast of Bemidji in Beltrami County.”
“A DNR public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 12 trucks/trailers is located at the north end of the lake.”
“A second public water access with concrete ramp and parking for 4 truck/trailers is located in the old town of Turtle River, also on the north end of the lake.”
“Turtle River Lake is managed for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Black Crappie.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Turtle River (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Turtle River
- Turtle River Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 15 trailer stalls, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Turtle River Lake (W) Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, City of Turtle River
Landings neighboring Turtle River
- Turtle River, Co Rd 22 AccessTurtle River, 3 miles east
- Beltrami Lake AccessBeltrami, 4 miles west
- Three Island Lake Access near Turtle RiverThree Island, 5 miles northwest
- Big Bass Lake Access near Turtle RiverBig Bass (east basin), 5 miles southwest
- North Twin Lake Access near TenstrikeNorth Twin, 5 miles east
- Lake Bemidji, Lake Bemidji SPK AccessBemidji, 6 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Turtle River basin
Secchi disk readings on Turtle River number 6, the first in 2007.
Turtle River has lost its ice as soon as March 31, 2012 and as late as May 14, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Turtle River
Gauge readers send the DNR the Turtle River readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Turtle River fish list
The list for Turtle River follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Turtle River
These Turtle River rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike | All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30". | |
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Zone rows for Turtle River: North-central Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Turtle River, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turtle River | 1,740 | 63 | 2 | 4.27 | |
| Long Lake near Turtle River, Beltrami County | 2 miles southeast | 412 | 87 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Meadow Lake, Beltrami County | 3 miles east | 106 | 28 | 0 | |
| Gull Lake near Tenstrike, Beltrami County, 138 acres | 4 miles northeast | 138 | 20 | 0 | |
| Little Gnat Lake | 4 miles west | 34 | 30 | 0 | 0.25 |
| Big Bass Lake (east basin) | 4 miles southwest | 337 | 17 | 1 | 1.22 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Turtle River on the map
Lakes neighboring Turtle River
- Long Lake near Turtle River, Beltrami County2 miles southeast
- Meadow Lake, Beltrami County3 miles east
- Gull Lake near Tenstrike, Beltrami County, 138 acres4 miles northeast
- Little Gnat Lake4 miles west
- Big Bass Lake (east basin)4 miles southwest
Where to grab leeches near Turtle River
- Trapper's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 3 miles
- Northwoods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 8 miles
- Venture Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 9 miles
- Northwoods Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 10 miles
- Kenkatch Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 10 miles
- Timberline Sports, Incsporting goods store, Blackduck, 13 miles
Lodging towns close to Turtle River
- Turtle River2 miles
- Tenstrike6 miles
- Bemidji10 miles
Turtle River county pages
- Beltrami Countyseat: Bemidji
Piscifun tackle for a day on Turtle River
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Turtle River
Where in Minnesota is Turtle River?
Beltrami County holds it, managed from the Bemidji fisheries office, about 2 miles from Turtle River.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Turtle River?
About 1,740 acres, 63 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Turtle River have?
2 public accesses, including Turtle River Lake (N) Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Turtle River?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Turtle River?
On August 31, 2021, a standard survey. walleye ran 4.27 per gill net.
What are the limits on Turtle River?
Northern Pike: All from 22-30" must be immediately released. Possession limit 10, only one over 30".; Sunfish: Daily limit five.
What does a license for Turtle River cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Turtle River?
The DNR median is April 22, with the latest record April 3, 2024.
Which shop is nearest Turtle River?
Try Trapper's Bait Shop, around 3 miles off.
Get out on Turtle River this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.