Two Inlets

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Two Inlets Lake on July 30th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 55.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 13.6 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 14.2 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 0.7 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present but marginal. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 20.6 degrees C (69.1 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginal for Cisco at the time of the survey as the layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 4 years, between 2006-2021, indicated unsuitable oxythermal habitat in most years surveyed, with unfavorable conditions recored in 2006, 2011, 2016 when there was no suitable oxythermal habitat layer. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Two Inlets Lake is located south of Two Inlets, MN in eastern Becker County. Two Inlets has a surface area of 578 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the northwest shore of the lake. Two Inlets provides fishing opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. The Minnesota DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Two Inlets Lake is in lake class 25. Class 25 lakes generally are deep, very clear, have hard water and are irregularly shaped. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, West Crooked, Ninth Crow Wing, Ojibway, Island, Big Mantrap, Little Sand, Skunk, Spider, and Straight. Walleye abundance has been consistent in previous years on Two Inlets Lake, and 2021 had above average numbers. Many Walleyes are a great size for anglers of 12 - 21 inches, with a number of smaller fish for the future. The average length was 16 inches, with the largest sampled at 27 inches. Yellow Perch are important forage for Walleye and Northern Pike, and perch abundance was on the low end of past samples on Two Inlets. Yellow Perch had an average size of 6 inches and were sampled up to 8.8 inches. Northern Pike abundance was in line with past surveys, and on the high end of the desirable range. Northern Pike were fast growing compared to similar lakes and ranged from 14 - 34 inches in length. The average size of 21 inches and 2.2 pounds was similar to past surveys on Two Inlets. Largemouth Bass were sampled by spring electrofishing. The catch rate was on the high end for Two Inlets, but low compared to other bass lakes in the area. Largemouth Bass size was very large, ranged from 14.5-18.8 inches, with most fish 15-16 inches. Angling opportunities for panfish include Black Crappie, Bluegill and Pumpkinseed. Black Crappie numbers were high compared to past surveys, and similar lakes in the areas. Spring sampling targeting spawning crappies had an average size of 9.5 inches, whereas standard summer sampling averaged 7.4 inches. Black Crappies ranged from 4 - 13 inches in length. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed abundance was similar to recent years, with fish ranging from 3 - 8 inches in length during standard summer sampling. Spring sampling targeting Bluegills also took place in 2021, with fish from 3.5 - 10 inches in length. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Two Inlets Lake. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Two Inlets Lake (03-0017-00) is a 578-acre lake with a maximum depth of 60 feet located west of Two Inlets, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on 19 - 20 July 2017 to assess populations of non-game species and small sport fish. Fourteen 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. During this assessment, two sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and eleven sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at one site. Backpack electrofishing was done at all fourteen sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured several species of fish including four species intolerant of disturbance such as Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, and Logperch. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Blacknose Dace, Bluntnose Minnow, Bigmouth Shiner, Central Mudminnow, Creek Chub, Common Shiner, Hornyhead Chub, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Redbelly Dace, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gillnet and trapnet catch data from a survey on 11 July 2017, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Two Inlets Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Two Inlets Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike in Two Inlets. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Two Inlets. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Two Inlets has a maximum depth of 60 feet and a mean depth of 23 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Two Inlets is from 2021.

No invasive species are on record for Two Inlets in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.