Tuttle Lake (also called Okamanpeedan Lake) is a big, shallow 2,268-acre lake on the Iowa-Minnesota border in Emmet County – a low-key prairie lake that’s quietly become a surprisingly good walleye water, paired with a state park, a wildlife area and some of northern Iowa’s best pheasant country. Wide, fertile and wind-swept, it’s a classic border lake for anglers and hunters. This guide is part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Tuttle Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~2,268 acres (spanning Iowa and Minnesota)
- Depth: average ~4-6 ft, maximum ~8 ft (a big, shallow lake)
- Location: Emmet County, Iowa & Martin County, Minnesota (Iowa-Minnesota border)
- Public land: Okamanpedan State Park, Tuttle Lake Wildlife Area & Recreation Area
- Top fish: walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, yellow perch, black crappie, bullhead
A big, shallow border lake
At about 2,268 acres, Tuttle Lake is one of the larger lakes in northern Iowa, but it’s shallow – averaging only four to six feet and topping out around eight. That broad, fertile, wind-swept water sits right on the Iowa-Minnesota line, with Iowa and Minnesota natural-resources agencies coordinating its fish sampling and management. It’s a quiet, uncrowded lake with a genuine prairie-outdoors feel.
Fishing Tuttle Lake
Tuttle has become “sneaky good” for walleye – the Iowa DNR stocks it with newly hatched walleye fry – alongside northern pike, channel catfish, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead. An Iowa or Minnesota fishing license applies depending on which side you fish (check the boundary). Anglers troll and drift the open water for walleye and perch, work the shoreline and weeds for pike, and soak baits for catfish. It’s also a popular ice-fishing lake.
State park, hunting and recreation
The lake is served by Okamanpedan State Park and the Tuttle Lake Wildlife Area and Recreation Area, offering boat access, picnicking and wildlife watching. The surrounding wildlife area is well known locally for pheasant hunting, making this a year-round fishing-and-hunting destination. There’s no major developed swim beach; it’s primarily a fishing, hunting and paddling lake.
Water level and getting there
As a big, shallow prairie lake, Tuttle’s level and clarity vary with rainfall and wind. It’s in northern Emmet County, Iowa, on the Minnesota border near Dolliver, Iowa, and Fairmont, Minnesota. Estherville and the Iowa Great Lakes region are to the southwest.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa or Minnesota license applies depending on which side of the line you fish.
- Big & shallow: wind-swept open water – good for walleye and perch, but watch the weather.
- Hunt & fish: the wildlife area is known for pheasant hunting.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Tuttle Lake?
Walleye (stocked), northern pike, channel catfish, yellow perch, black crappie and bullhead.
How big and deep is Tuttle Lake?
About 2,268 acres but shallow – averaging four to six feet and reaching roughly eight feet at most.
Is Tuttle Lake in Iowa or Minnesota?
Both – it straddles the Iowa-Minnesota border between Emmet County, Iowa, and Martin County, Minnesota.
Where is Tuttle Lake?
In northern Emmet County, Iowa, on the Minnesota border near Dolliver, Iowa.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
Explore more Iowa lakes: the largest lakes in Iowa and the deepest lakes in Iowa.
