East Twin

East Twin Lake is a 146 acre lake located two miles northwest of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. East Twin is located in the Crow Wing River watershed. The lake has a maximum depth of 45'. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The nearshore survey took place on 25 July 2017, with all ten stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at six stations, with the 50' 1/8th inch seine used at an additional two sites. Two sites had heavy vegetation which prohibited seining. In total 12 species were sampled including intolerant species, Iowa darter, banded killifish, blacknose shiner, blackchin shiner, and mimic shiner. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gillnet and trapnet survey conducted on 19-21 June 2017 to calculate an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score. This score will be an indicator of the health of East Twin Lake.

East Twin is a 146 acre lake located two miles northwest of Nisswa in Crow Wing County. East Twin reaches a depth of 45', with 61% 15' being deep or less. A public access is located on the west side. Water clarity is excellent with a secchi disk reading of 20'. An average of 70 lbs of walleye fingerlings are stocked by private citizens into East Twin in odd-numbered years. The walleye gillnet catch of 2.7/net was average when compared to similar lakes. Walleyes ranged in size from 13.2"-22.4", with an average length of 17.4". Northern pike were sampled in average numbers in gillnets at 11.2/net. Most ran on the small side with an average length of 19.4", with only 4% at least 24" in length. New northern pike regulations effective March 1st, 2018 include a possession limit of 10 fish. Only 2 may be over 26" and all fish between 22"-26" must be immediately released. The intent of the regulation is to improve the harvest opportunity for pike and improve the fish community composition. Largemouth bass were sampled by spring night electrofishing at a rate of 65.5/hr run time indicating a moderate density. Average length was 13.2", with 67% at least 12" in length. Gillnets sampled largemouth bass in average numbers at 1.0/gillnet. Average length was 13.9". Trapnets sampled bluegills in average numbers at 15.6/net. Some nicer bluegills are available with an average length of 6.3". Bluegills at least 7" in length made up 29% of the catch. Black crappies were sampled in low numbers in both net types, with 40% of the crappies sampled measuring at least 8" in length. No invasive species have been discovered in East Twin Lake, but they are located in the area. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers, as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

The last walleye stocking into East Twin Lake was a private stocking in 2004. The 2008 walleye catch rate was average when compared to similar lakes (2.2/gill net). Average size was 18.6" and 2.2 lbs. and all of the fish were 16" or larger. The northern pike catch rate was average (12.0/gill net). Size averaged 19.2" and 1.6 lbs., with 8% of the fish measuring 24" or larger. The largemouth bass catch rate was average in gill nets (0.8/gill net) and high in trap nets (1.8/trap net). With both sampling gears combined, 53% of the fish were 12" or larger. The bluegill catch rate was average (35.9/trap net). Average length was 7.6" and 80% of the fish were 7" or larger. The higher numbers of big fish could have been due to the fact that we were sampling in early summer when the larger fish are in shallow to reproduce. Yellow perch were caught in average numbers (2.2/gill net). Length averaged 8.0" and 64% of the fish were 8" or larger. Other fish species captured included brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, white sucker, and yellow bullhead. Only one black crappie was captured.

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

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

East Twin has a maximum depth of 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in East Twin is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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