Minnesota Fishing Getaways!
Take a Minnesota fishing trip on Big Turtle Lake. Big Turtle is a 2,000+ acre lake located in the heart of Northern Minnesota offering unmatched fishing opportunities. Long known for it's unparreled Small & Largemouth Bass Big Turtle Lake is one of Minnesota's top fisheries. Arcadia Lodge provides everything you need for a successful fishing trip. Our onsite boat launch, fish cleaning facility and powered docks are just a few of the amenities we offer. Weather your hunting Small & Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Pike, Crappie or Sunfish you'll find it here.
Largemouth Bass
The largemouth bass is a popular sport fish because it attacks lures and leaps out of the water when hooked. Since largemouths aren't considered to be a tasty fish, they are often released after being caught. Fun Facts! The largemouth bass looks a lot like its cousin the smallmouth bass. But on the largemouth bass, the back of the mouth goes back much farther than the back of the eye. On the smallmouth, the back of the mouth does only to the middle of the eye. Click Here For More Info On Largemouth Bass!
Smallmouth Bass
For its size, the smallmouth bass may be the hardest-fighting fish to swim Minnesota's many waterways. It is commonly found in ponds, lakes and rivers and is a member of the sunfish family. Fun Facts! Many smallmouth bass have red eyes. The state record smallmouth bass is eight pounds. It was caught in West Battle Lake in Otter Tail County. The current world record, 11 pounds, 15 ounces, was caught in Kentucky. The smallmouth bass looks a lot like its cousin the largemouth bass. But on the smallmouth, the back of the mouth goes only back to the middle of the eye. On the largemouth bass, the back of the mouth goes back much farther than the back of the eye. Click Here For More Info On Smallmouth Bass!
Walleye
The walleye is the king of Minnesota fish. Each year, more than one million anglers pursue the walleye in more than 1,700 lakes. In 1965, the Legislature named the walleye Minnesota's official state fish. Fun Facts! The name walleye refers to the fish's large, glassy pupils. The inner part of the eye reflects light, allowing the fish to see in dark or murky water. Minnesota's state record walleye weighed 17 pounds, 8 ounces. It was taken from Saganaga Lake in Cook County. Studies have shown that walleyes live as long as 29 years in some waters. Click Here For More Info On Walleye!
Northern Pike
The northern pike is an aggressive predator fish found throughout Minnesota in lakes, ponds and rivers. The northern pike is found throughout Minnesota. This fish can tolerate both cold and warm temperatures and can survive in some polluted waters. Fun Facts! The largest northern pike caught in Minnesota weighed 45 pound, 12 ounces. It was taken on Basswood Lake in 1929. The world record pike (55 pounds, 1 ounce) was caught from a lake in Germany. Northern pike look a lot like muskies. But pike have light markings on a dark body background. Muskies usually have dark markings on a light body background. Click Here For More Info On Northern Pike!
Crappie
Minnesota waters are home to white and black crappies, which are a part of the sunfish family. They're commonly found in lakes and ponds throughout Minnesota. Because they are good to eat, crappies are a favorite fish among anglers. Fun Facts! In the spring, both crappie species move to shallow water to mate, giving anglers a good chance to catch them. Some anglers think the crappie is the best-tasting fish that swims. Click Here For More Info On Crappie!
Sunfish
The bluegill is one of the most popular fish in Minnesota. For beginning anglers, it is usually the first fish they catch. Bluegills are found in most Minnesota waters, from small ponds to big lakes. Fun Facts! Some anglers call these fish sunnies or 'gills. During the spring, when bluegills spawn in shallow water, anglers sometimes use polarized sunglasses to see through the water and find the fish's spawning beds. Click Here For More Info On Sunfish!
Minnesota Fishing Openers
04/16/11 - 09/30/11
Stream Trout in streams, except SE-2011 season
04/16/11 - 09/14/11
Stream Trout in streams SE-2011 season
05/01/11 - 02/26/12
05/07/11 - 05/08/11
Take-a-Mom fishing weekend (Panfish Only)
05/14/11 - 02/26/12
Walleye, sauger, northern pike - 2011 season
05/14/11 - 09/30/11
Lake Trout (summer) - 2011 season
05/14/11 - 02/26/12
Largemouth Bass-2011 season-North and East of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
05/14/11 - 02/26/12
Smallmouth Bass-2011 season-North and East of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
05/14/11 - 10/31/11
Stream Trout in lakes - 2011 summer season
05/28/11 - 02/26/12
Largemouth Bass-2011 season-South and West of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
05/28/11 - 02/26/12
Smallmouth Bass-2011 season-South and West of U.S. Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County
06/04/11 - 12/01/11
Muskellunge (Muskie) - 2011 season
06/10/11 - 06/12/11
Take-a-Kid fishing weekend
09/12/11 - 02/26/12
Smallmouth Bass - 2011 Catch and Release season only
09/15/11 - 09/30/11
Stream Trout (Fall) SE - 2011 season Catch and Release season only
03/05/12
Ice houses must be off the ice each night unless attended south of Hwy 200 and Hwy 2
03/19/12
Ice houses must be off the ice each night unless attended north of Hwy 200 and Hwy 2