North Twin

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on North Twin Lake on August 20th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 30 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 96.2 (+/- 1.3) out of 100 possible. A score of 96.2 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Excellent (92+). Approximately 23 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 88.6 (+/- 4.4) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is High (85-91.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 98.6 (+/- 0.6) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality.

North Twin Lake is a 326-acre, lightly developed natural lake located in southern Beltrami County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Bemidji, MN. North Twin has a water clarity of 11 feet, a maximum depth of 59 feet and no inlets or outlets. A U.S. Forest Service (USFS) public water access is located on the southern shore of the lake and has room for five truck and trailers. There is one USFS boat-in campsite on the north shore of the lake. Also, anglers can access Bass Lake via a 25 rod portage located on the northwestern shore of the lake. A standard survey was completed on North Twin Lake in 2023 to assess the fish community. Gamefish species targeted by anglers in this lake include Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. Walleye lengths ranged from 12 to 23 inches and averaged around 17 inches. Walleye abundance decreased from 2018 and was below the lake's historical average but still within the typical range for lakes with similar morphological characteristics. The Walleye population is sustained by stocking and some natural reproduction. A total of 8 year classes were captured, with the 2019 year class being the most abundant. Northern Pike abundance increased from 2018 and was above average for the lake but within the typical range for similar lakes in Minnesota. Northern Pike ranged from 10 to 36 inches and averaged 21 inches. Thirty-one percent of the Northern Pike captured in gill nets were larger than 24 inches. A special regulation (24 to 36 inch protected slot with a 3 fish possession limit, only one over 36 inches) continues to be in effect for Northern Pike. Bluegill abundance was similar to the last two surveys which were below average for the lake but within the normal range for this lake type. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3 to 9 inches and averaged 7 inches. Bluegill growth rates in North Twin are slow with fish averaging 4 inches at 4 years old. It is recommended that anglers keep smaller sunfish and release the larger fish to help improve and maintain the population's size structure. Black Crappie total lengths ranged from 5 to 12 inches and averaged 10 inches. Black Crappie abundance increased in trap nets from 2018 and was above average for the lake. Black Crappie ages ranged from 2 to 9 years old and growth was slow compared to other area lakes. Largemouth Bass abundance increased from 2018 and was above the lake's historical average. Largemouth Bass total lengths averaged 10 inches and ranged from 3 to 18 inches, similar to previous surveys. Smallmouth Bass are present in North Twin but at low abundance. Smallmouth up to 16 inches were captured in previous surveys. Yellow Perch abundance has increased since 2003 and was above average for the lake. Yellow Perch total lengths ranged from 5 to 11 inches and averaged 8 inches. Yellow perch are considered an important forage species for large predators like Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. Other species sampled during the survey included Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and White Sucker. Currently, North Twin Lake is infested with Starry Stonewort, which is an aquatic invasive species (AIS). AIS can be transferred by anglers and boats from infested to non-infested waterbodies. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. Please follow the current AIS regulations to avoid spreading to other lakes.

North Twin Lake is a 326-acre lake, located 20 miles Northeast of Bemidji in Beltrami County. A targeted survey was completed on North Twin Lake by Bemidji Area Fisheries staff during July of 2023 to assess the nearshore fish community and overall health of the lake. In this survey, 10 nearshore sites (100-foot) were evenly spaced along the lakeshore to sample a variety of aquatic habitat types and collect a representative sample of the nearshore fish community. Depending on the habitat conditions at each site, backpack electrofishing and shoreline seining were attempted where possible. All 10 sites were sampled with seine and backpack electrofishing. A total of 17 species were sampled, which included 6 species (Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) captured that are intolerant to disturbance or poor water quality. Nearshore fish community data was analyzed with information collected from the standard survey in 2023 to calculate a Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score to measure the biological condition and overall health of North Twin Lake. In Minnesota, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and healthy habitat (e.g. Blacknose Shiner, Mimic Shiner, Tullibee (cisco), and Mottled Sculpin), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g. Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The combination of fish species present may identify stressors negatively affecting the lake environment. The FIBI score is composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics to indicate the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on FIBI search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website (www.mndnr.gov). In coordination with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Mississippi River (Headwaters) Watershed assessment.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for North Twin. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

North Twin has a maximum depth of 59 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in North Twin is from 2023.

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