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Minnesota · Fishing
Turtle Lake Township sits in Cass County in north-central Minnesota, and the fishing here centers on what you'd expect from that part of the state: lake fishing, and plenty of it.
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Turtle Lake Township sits in Cass County in north-central Minnesota, and the fishing here centers on what you'd expect from that part of the state: lake fishing, and plenty of it. The three main spots covered on this page are Turtle Lake itself, Stony Point, and the broader Walker Area, all of which offer lake fishing for the mix of species typical to this region — walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish like crappie and bluegill. Turtle Lake is the anchor, a mid-sized lake with a public access point that sees steady pressure through the open-water season and again once ice sets up reliably in December. Stony Point gives you a different angle on the water and tends to be a bit quieter. The Walker Area pulls in anglers partly because Walker itself has good infrastructure — bait shops, boat rentals, and guides who know the local lakes well. If you're coming from out of town, Walker is a practical base. None of these waters carry a gold-medal or wild-trout designation, so manage expectations accordingly: this is solid Midwest lake fishing, not a trophy-trout destination, but it's genuinely productive water if you time it right and fish it properly.
Walleye and northern pike are the primary targets on these lakes, with bass and panfish rounding out the options. Crappie fishing can be particularly good in spring around structure and again through the ice in winter. Don't come expecting trout — these are warm-water lakes.
The walleye opener in mid-May kicks off the serious season and draws the most traffic. Summer fishing holds up well into July, especially early morning and the last two hours of daylight when fish move shallower. Ice fishing from roughly late December through February is a legitimate second season here, and the lakes in Cass County tend to freeze reliably enough to plan around.
Stony Point
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
South Pike Bay
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Bimijiwan Recreation Area
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Onegume
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Leech Lake - Federal Dam Access
~24 min drive
Easy
Leech Lake Rec Area
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Winnie Campground - USFS
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Norway Beach Loop
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Winnie Dam Campground - USACE
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Mosomo Point Boat Area
~59 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
East Seelye Bay Boat Area
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Walker Area
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MN.
Early morning and evening are consistently the most productive windows for walleye and bass, particularly in summer when midday sun pushes fish deeper. On overcast days the bite can hold through the afternoon. For panfish, midday can actually work fine, especially if you're fishing deeper structure.
Yes, a valid Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 or older. You can buy one online through the Minnesota DNR website or pick one up at bait shops and sporting goods stores in Walker. Make sure you're also aware of any slot limits or possession limits for walleye on the specific lake you're fishing, as these can vary by water body in Minnesota.
Yes, lake fishing in this area is accessible to beginners. Panfish like bluegill and crappie are forgiving targets that don't require specialized technique, and the public access points on Turtle Lake make it easy to get a boat in the water without a complicated launch. If you're new to walleye fishing specifically, hiring a guide out of Walker for a half-day is worth considering — local knowledge on these lakes makes a real difference.
