Minnesota Fishing Guide

South Turtle

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56037700

169 Surveys
836.57
Acres
35 ft
Max Depth
0
13
Fish Species
8
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on South Turtle. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.05 lb 2
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.10 lb 1
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.18 lb 1
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.14 lb 1
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.9 (below normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.12 lb 8
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 6.6 — — 7
2017-06-30 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 12.5 — — 75
2018-07-24 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 1
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 2.7 — — 5
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 2.5 – 24.2 0.13 lb 2

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 58.0 (above normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.62 lb 348
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 3.8 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.57 lb 38
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 9.0 (normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.56 lb 45
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 15.2 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.46 lb 91
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 19.8 (above normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.48 lb 238
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 5.1 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.56 lb 61
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 27.3 (above normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.52 lb 246
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 10.3 (above normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.51 lb 124
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — — 2
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 8.2 — — 15
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 34.2 (above normal) 0.9 – 10.0 0.46 lb 410
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 5.9 (normal) 1.5 – 7.7 0.25 lb 71

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 7.5 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 1.76 lb 45
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 1.16 lb 11
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 4.4 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 2.00 lb 22
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 3.07 lb 3
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 3.7 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 1.17 lb 44
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 1.6 — 1.30 lb 19
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 6.7 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 2.01 lb 60
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 1.84 lb 11
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — — 1
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — — 2
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 5.1 (normal) 3.1 – 8.5 1.47 lb 61
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 1.27 lb 9

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.20 lb 2
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.10 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 0.20 lb 1
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.31 lb 1
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.6 — 0.28 lb 5
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 0.32 lb 13
2017-06-30 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 8.5 — — 9
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 5.4 — — 10
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 2.0 — — 12
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.38 lb 9
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.28 lb 12

Shorthead Redhorse

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.2 3.10 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 3.9 3.50 lb 1

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 4.8 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 2.09 lb 29
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 3.07 lb 3
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 7.4 (above normal) 1.3 – 5.5 1.68 lb 37
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 2.77 lb 3
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 4.8 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 1.69 lb 58
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 1.46 lb 2
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 3.36 lb 15
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 1.3 – 5.5 2.52 lb 29
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 6.63 lb 1

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 3.2 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.84 lb 19
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.35 lb 6
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 4.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.02 lb 20
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 1.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.10 lb 9
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.06 lb 36
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.30 lb 7
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 3.2 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 1.30 lb 29
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.81 lb 12
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 18.9 — — 20
2017-06-30 15-ft beach seine 1.2 — — 7
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 10.3 — — 62
2018-07-24 15-ft beach seine 5.0 — — 15
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 5.4 — — 10
2011-08-08 Standard electrofishing 44.5 — 1.08 lb 26
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.73 lb 23
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.1 0.56 lb 11

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 22.3 — 0.12 lb 134
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 80.0 (above normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.13 lb 800
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 24.8 — 0.15 lb 124
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 132.3 (above normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.15 lb 794
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 2.8 — 0.19 lb 33
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 21.5 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.15 lb 258
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 18.4 — 0.21 lb 166
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 24.3 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.14 lb 292
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 18.0 — — 19
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 54.9 — — 101
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 68.8 — — 413
2018-07-24 15-ft beach seine 5.7 — — 17
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 36.3 — 0.17 lb 435
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 21.3 (normal) 5.6 – 42.3 0.15 lb 255

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 10.8 — 0.21 lb 65
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 12.2 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.17 lb 122
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 12.0 — 0.24 lb 60
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 8.8 (above normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.24 lb 53
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.8 — 0.27 lb 9
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.24 lb 3
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 1.1 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.24 lb 13
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 5.4 — — 10
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 7.0 — — 42
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.4 — 0.26 lb 5
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 1.7 – 8.2 0.21 lb 9

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.05 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.15 lb 4
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 3.75 lb 2
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.54 lb 3
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 1.0 3.57 lb 5
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.5 1.75 lb 1
2017-06-30 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 1
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 3.5 2.87 lb 2

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.35 lb 2
1981-08-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.60 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.26 lb 11
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.20 lb 5
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.52 lb 8
2000-08-14 Special trap nets 5.5 — 0.65 lb 132
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.16 lb 4
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.26 lb 9
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.49 lb 11
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.7 0.25 lb 24
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 3.2 0.24 lb 4

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 9.3 (normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.90 lb 56
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.20 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.52 lb 40
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.16 lb 2
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 28.7 (above normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.51 lb 344
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 4.7 (normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.66 lb 42
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — — 1
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 3.1 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.8 0.25 lb 37
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 25.3 (above normal) 0.6 – 9.5 0.35 lb 303

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1981-08-10 Standard gill nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.86 lb 14
1988-08-24 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.80 lb 1
1988-08-24 Standard gill nets 8.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.69 lb 42
2000-08-14 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.77 lb 6
2000-08-14 Standard gill nets 15.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.60 lb 185
2017-08-28 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.95 lb 4
2017-08-28 Standard gill nets 2.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.99 lb 22
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.5 0.76 lb 4
2011-08-08 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 2.2 0.79 lb 15

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 2.8 — 3
2017-06-30 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — 1
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 1.7 — 10
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 3.8 — 7

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 36.0 — — 38
2017-06-30 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 23.9 — — 44
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — — 3
2011-08-08 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.9 0.01 lb 1

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 50-ft beach seine 2.0 — 2
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 20.8 — 22
2017-06-30 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — 5
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 7.6 — 14
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 7.7 — 46

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 2.8 — 3
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 1.1 — 2
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 33.7 — 202

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 9.5 — 10
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 13.1 — 24
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 24.2 — 145
2018-07-24 15-ft beach seine 2.0 — 6

PGS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 1.9 — 2
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 1.1 — 2
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 10.2 — 61

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2017-06-30 Backpack electrofishing 3.8 — 4
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 2.2 — 4
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 3.5 — 21

BST

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1
2018-07-24 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 3

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2018-07-24 Backpack electrofishing 1.1 — 2
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2018-07-24 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 3

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Public Access — South Turtle

1 public water access site on South Turtle.

South Turtle PWA (Otter Tail)

Boat Ramp

Maintained by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Get Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Ben's Bait Shop

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5596

★ 4.6

Carr's Lake Country Super Market

Ottertail, MN

(218) 367-2550

★ 4.4

Dunham's Sports

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 739-5708

★ 4.1

Elizabeth General Store

Elizabeth, MN

(218) 739-2132

★ 4.3

Flagman Products

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 671-2640

JK-Outdoors

Fergus Falls, MN

(218) 739-5299

★ 5

Lakeland General Store

Pelican Rapids, MN

(218) 863-5703

★ 4.8

Lakes Community Coop - Ottertail Oasis

Ottertail, MN

(218) 367-3626

★ 4

Nearby Marinas

265th St. RV & Boat Storage

Henning, MN

(218) 210-8874

★ 4.8

Advanced Docks & Lifts

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 495-2811

★ 4.3

Aqua Marine & Storage

Dent, MN

(218) 457-2325

★ 4.9

Ark & Spark

Underwood, MN

(218) 864-5969

★ 4.6

Battle Lake Boat Works

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5567

★ 3.8

Delagoon Park

Fergus Falls, MN

★ 4.4

Resorts & Lodges Near South Turtle

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near South Turtle.

Legacy Lakeside Resort & Event Center
Fishing Resort Clitherall

(218) 321-3150
MN Tru North
Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 346-5253
Paul Lake Resort
Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 234-9001
Shoreside at Rush
Fishing Resort Ottertail

(218) 234-2319

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit South Turtle. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillBrown BullheadGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near South Turtle

Gene's Sport Shop
Fishing Guide

(218) 346-3355
Lock Jaw Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 640-0158
Minnesota Experience
Fishing Guide

(218) 770-8032
North Country Bowfishing
Fishing Guide
Pit Properties LLC
Fishing Guide

(218) 205-5358
RED HOOKS FISHING ADVENTURES
Red Hooks Fishing Adventures
Fishing Guide

(218) 370-9006

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Adley

240.56 acres

Alice

46.96 acres

Anderson

88.82 acres

Anna

598.19 acres

Annie Battle

354.4 acres

Bass

33.86 acres

Plan Your Trip to South Turtle

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.