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Lower Turtle Lake
Enhanced dataInteractive depth contours
Lower Turtle LakeBarron County, WI
Contours load with map Access
Interactive depth contours5-foot typical interval · Modeled depth estimate · Not a survey · Not for navigation
Source: LakeList depth modelmedium confidence · QA passed · Select a contour to inspect its mapped depthModeled depth estimate: contours computed from the lake's shoreline shape and its documented 24-ft maximum depth (depth grows with distance from shore, calibrated to the documented mean depth where available). This is a smooth mathematical model, not a survey - real holes, bars, and drop-offs will differ. Community sonar (C-MAP Genesis) overlays where recorded. Not for navigation.LakeList assistant
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Fishing spots, food, lodging, marinas, and rentals around Lower Turtle Lake.
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Fishing forecast
Best windows for Lower Turtle Lake
Weather-based planning built from the National Weather Service hourly forecast near this lake.
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Checking wind, precipitation, and near-term weather windows.
Water temperature
Lower Turtle Lake water temperature today
Modeled surface-temperature estimate built from seasonal climate, lake depth, and live National Weather Service air temperatures near this lake.
74°FWarm
Seasonal estimate. Checking current National Weather Service air temperatures…
Comfortable summer pattern. Bass and panfish are active; early and late hours beat the midday heat.
Estimates are modeled, not measured. Actual temperatures vary with depth, wind mixing, and recent weather — verify conditions before swimming, boating, or heading onto ice.
Wisconsin DNR water assessment
Impaired waterbody listed
The DNR lists this waterbody as impaired. This notice is not itself a closure; review the official assessment and current guidance before your trip.
303(d) / impairment recordRecreation restrictions noted
Excess Algal Growth, EutrophicationPollutants: Total Phosphorus
- Status
- 303d Listed
- Public health
- General Advice
- Recreation
- Recreational Restrictions
- Aquatic life
- Not specified
Water is impaired due to one or more pollutants and associated quality impacts.
Review DNR water quality Check consumption advice Source updated 2026-03-25 · LakeList verified 2026-07-12
DNR water check
Water quality quick take
From Wisconsin DNR / Citizen Lake Monitoring readings at Lower Turtle Lake - Middle-Deep Hole.
Sampled May 2026Volunteer monitoring since 1987
Somewhat hazy, algae-prone water — summer clarity of 3.4 ft is lower than most monitored Wisconsin lakes.
Based on July–August 2025 averages across 6 volunteer readings.69Eutrophic5-yr summer TSI
Nutrient-rich, greener water — more algae and plant growth, common in shallower lakes.
Water claritySecchi disk depth
3.4 ftJul–Aug 2025 avg (4 readings)
HazyStable since 2017
Clearer than 23% of 596 monitored Wisconsin lakes with current readings.
AlgaeChlorophyll-a
78.5 µg/LJul–Aug 2025 avg (2 readings)
HighImproving — down ~16% vs earlier years
NutrientsTotal phosphorus — fuels plant & algae growth
51 µg/LLatest single sample · 2025-07-20
HighHigh phosphorus points to heavy plant/algae growth pressure.
All readings by year · station details · methodology
Summer averages (July/August)
July/August means; counts in parentheses show how many samples went into each average.
| Year | Secchi | Chlorophyll-a | Total phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3.4 ft (4) | 78.5 µg/L (2) | 51.0 µg/L (1) |
| 2024 | — | 49.0 µg/L (1) | — |
| 2023 | 3.8 ft (2) | 30.0 µg/L (1) | — |
| 2022 | 2.5 ft (2) | 60.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2021 | 4.6 ft (4) | 38.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2020 | 2.6 ft (3) | 89.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2019 | 3.0 ft (2) | 47.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2018 | 3.3 ft (3) | 28.0 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2017 | 2.9 ft (2) | 53.5 µg/L (2) | — |
| 2016 | 2.5 ft (1) | 46.0 µg/L (1) | — |
Latest individual samples: Secchi 5 ft (2026-05-04), chlorophyll-a 118 µg/L (2025-08-31), and total phosphorus 51 µg/L (2025-07-20).
Secchi clarity is how deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface — more feet means clearer water.
Chlorophyll-a is an algae pigment; higher values signal more algae in the water column.
Total phosphorus is a nutrient that feeds algae and aquatic plants. It is not a weed survey — depth, bottom type, water movement, and management change the actual lake experience.
Lower Turtle Lake - Middle-Deep HoleStation 033161 · TSI based on chlorophyll
Modeled from DNR/CLMN monitoring — not a safety or swim-condition report. Verify current conditions locally. LakeList verified 2026-07-12.Official Wisconsin information
Plan with DNR sources
LakeList links to the authoritative record so you can verify maps, rules, and current notices before leaving.
Historical DNR depth maps1 converted map sheetFishing regulationsVerify current seasons, limits, and restrictionsOfficial DNR lake pageFacts, advisories, boating, and water qualityWater quality reportsMonitoring stations, clarity, and DNR reportsInvasive speciesVerified, observed, and historical AIS recordsBoating ordinancesLocal slow-no-wake and water-use restrictionsFish consumption advisoriesStatewide and waterbody-specific health guidance
Historical depth maps are not for navigation. Verify regulations and access at the official source before your trip.
Historical Wisconsin DNR maps
Lower Turtle Lake depth maps
1 converted map sheet. These historical surveys are not for navigation.
Navigable depth map
Lower Turtle Lake · sheet 1
Pan, zoom, and inspect the converted Wisconsin DNR historical map image in the browser. Historical survey — not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin DNR · WBIC 2079700 · image navigation only; spatial alignment pending · Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Converted for browser access with source URLs, checksums, and retrieval dates retained. Historical lake maps are not for navigation.
Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey
Fish population survey
Structured LakeList extraction from the 2021 DNR fisheries survey. Population estimates, density, and catch-rate indices use different units, methods, and scopes, so each value is presented in its original form rather than normalized against a different measure.
Survey indicatorsValues keep their source unit and method; unlike measures are not scaled or compared.
Management contextA 2021 comprehensive Lower Turtle Lake survey assessed walleye, bass and panfish with spring netting and electrofishing, fall electrofishing and a walleye mark-recapture estimate.
A 2021 comprehensive Lower Turtle Lake survey assessed walleye, bass and panfish with spring netting and electrofishing, fall electrofishing and a walleye mark-recapture estimate.
- Historical fisheries snapshot; not current fishing regulations or navigation guidance.
- Only metrics explicitly supported by the cited source page were promoted.
- Population estimates, relative-abundance indices and size thresholds retain their source scope.
Black Crappie
129 fishSpring Electrofishing II catch · p. 1134 fish/mileSpring Electrofishing II CPUE · p. 11
Bluegill
144 fishSpring Electrofishing II catch · p. 1037.9 fish/mileSpring Electrofishing II CPUE · p. 1035.3 fish/mileCPUE for fish >=6 inches · p. 106.6 inchesAverage length · p. 11
Largemouth Bass
35 fishSpring Electrofishing II catch · p. 99.2 fish/mileSpring Electrofishing II CPUE · p. 94.7 fish/mileCPUE for fish >=14 inches · p. 914.8 inchesAverage length · p. 9
Northern Pike
24 fishSpring Netting I catch · p. 80.9 fish/net nightSpring Netting I CPUE · p. 820.7 inchesAverage length · p. 8
Walleye
604 fishAdult population estimate · p. 62.2 fish/acreAdult density · p. 69.9 fish/net nightSpring Netting I CPUE · p. 6277 fishSpring Netting I catch · p. 6
Lower Turtle Lake comprehensive survey, 2021Matched by exact wbic name county · WBICs 2079700 · verified 2026-07-19Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey report; LakeList operator documented permission to leverage this public report with source attribution.
286surface acres
24max depth feet
2public access points
45.3872, -92.0727latitude, longitude
Access
Public access points
Boat launchLower Turtle Lake Access45.38124, -92.07220Managed by COUNTYTOWN OF ALMENARamp surface: ConcreteADA-accessible feature: NoVerified 2026-07-12
Boat launchLower Turtle Lake - Access off 12 1/2 Ave45.38814, -92.07172Managed by Wisconsin DNR
DNR verifiedDirections
Nearby
Trip-planning places
No nearby trip-planning places yet
Fishery
Notable species
Largemouth BassNorthern PikeWalleyePanfish
Wisconsin DNR stocking
Fish stocking history
The latest published year is 2024, when 2,859 fish were recorded across 1 entry.
2024
WalleyeChippewa/St. Croix · Large Fingerling
2,8596.8 in average
2022
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,8596.6 in average
2020
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,8596.9 in average
2018
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,8576.2 in average
2016
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,8597.0 in average
2014
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,8596.2 in average
2012
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,7607.4 in average
2010
WalleyeMississippi Headwaters · Large Fingerling
2,7607.3 in average
Depth FAQ
How deep is Lower Turtle Lake?
Lower Turtle Lake is 24 feet deep at its deepest point and averages about 14 feet, according to Wisconsin DNR records.
Is there a free depth map of Lower Turtle Lake?
Yes. LakeList publishes a free interactive depth contour map of Lower Turtle Lake at a typical 5-foot interval, with an optional 3D underwater view, derived from LakeList depth model survey data.
Where does the Lower Turtle Lake depth map come from?
The interactive depth contours are derived from LakeList depth model. Each contour set passes a visual QA review against the source document before it is published. The depths are a modeled estimate calibrated to the lake's documented maximum depth - not a survey, and not for navigation.
Trust and freshness
Where this lake data comes from
Wisconsin DNR Lake Pagesname, coordinates, county, source identifiers
LakeList record updated 2026-07-12
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