Walleye have been stocked at various rates and frequencies in the past on Turtle Lake but since 2002 have been stocked at a rate of one pound per littoral acre. Turtle Lake has 556 littoral acres so approximately 556 pounds of fingerlings are stocked. The actual number of fingerlings will depend on their size at the time of stocking. Fingerlings are one to six months old and can range from a size of three to eight inches.
In 2006, the MN DNR made a provision that an additional 110 pounds of fish could be stocked. The Turtle Lake Association Board decided to purchase the additional 110 pounds and has continued to do so ever since. The funds used to pay for the additional 110 pounds of fingerlings mainly come from the generous donations of the TLA members when filling out their annual membership forms. On average, it costs approximately $2200. If additional funds are needed, the monies owed come from the board discretion fund.
Beginning in 2011, walleye fingerlings have been stocked in October on odd number years. The 556 pounds stocked by the MN DNR are released at the public boat landing and the additional 110 pounds are usually released at or near MacKenzie Island.
Our most recent walleye stocking occurred in October of 2023. 530 lbs. of walleye were stocked by the DNR, and an additional 110 lbs. were stocked thanks to generous TLA member donations. All fish were stocked at the public landing this year.