Turtle River Fishing
Beltrami County.
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Mississippi River: Ken Gallager, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Turtle River in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Turtle River, a river of Beltrami County. The DNR route line covers close to 31 miles. For minnows and gas, Turtle River is about 4 miles away.
The access list holds 2 public accesses.
Reaching the Turtle River by boat
- Turtle River, Co Rd 22 Access1 ramp, 2 trailer stalls, Beltrami County, river mile 13.4
- Turtle River, Co Rd 20 Access1 ramp, 5 trailer stalls, Beltrami County, river mile 7.5
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Surveyed water on the Turtle River
- Turtle River1,740 acres
Booklet rules for the Turtle River
Every limit on the Turtle River is in the table below.
| 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 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Beyond the shore of Turtle River
More Minnesota lakes near Turtle River
- Meadow Lake, Beltrami County1 mile
- Turtle River2 miles
- Long Lake near Turtle River, Beltrami County2 miles
- Gull Lake near Tenstrike, Beltrami County, 138 acres2 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Turtle River
- Trapper's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 5 miles
- Northwoods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 10 miles
- Venture Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 10 miles
- Northwoods Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 11 miles
- Kenkatch Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 11 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Turtle River
- Turtle River4 miles
- Tenstrike5 miles
- Blackduck11 miles
- Bemidji11 miles
Streams neighboring the Turtle River
- Gull River, Beltrami County6 miles
- Necktie River14 miles
- Third River17 miles
- Bungoshine Creek17 miles
Counties that Turtle River reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Turtle River
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Fish to look for at Turtle River
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Reader questions on the Turtle River
How do I drive to the Turtle River?
Through Beltrami County.
May I keep trout from the Turtle River?
No; it carries no trout designation.
Where can I check discharge on the Turtle River?
No flow station covers it.
Which accesses reach the Turtle River?
The DNR layer lists 2 public accesses; Turtle River, Co Rd 22 Access is one.
Are there special DNR rules on the Turtle River?
Only statewide limits.
Is a stamp needed on the Turtle River?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Who sells leeches near the Turtle River?
Trapper's Bait Shop, about 5 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Turtle River?
Turtle River, some 4 miles off by air.
Which species does the Turtle River hold?
The DNR lists walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass.
Work the Turtle River
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.