Twin

Twin Lake is a 133-acre lake located near Goodland, MN and is classified within lake class 32. The lake has one public access on the northwest basin and a channel to the southeast basin. Boats traversing the narrow, shallow channel can expect to bump rocks and the bottom. The 2016 lake management plan indicates Bluegill and Northern Pike are primary species of management with Black Crappie as a secondary species. Black Crappie catches have consistently been near what would be consider normal for lakes with similar habitat. A total of 17 crappie were sampled that ranged from 5.6 to 14.9 inches. Age estimates ranged from 2 to 10 years old. Growth was slow compared to other lakes with similar habitat with fish averaging 7.5 inches after five years of growth. The crappie population as of 2025 would not likely attract many anglers. The management goal for Bluegill was to maintain a catch near 23.0/trap net with the presence of fish exceeding 8 inches. The catch goal was not achieved since 13.8 Bluegill/trap net were sampled. The size goal was achieved; Bluegill sampled in trap nets ranged from 3.5 to 9.1 inches and averaged 6.0 inches. Nine age-classes were observed ranging from age 2 to 10. Growth rates were similar to those reported for class 32 lakes but would be considered slow compared to higher quality Bluegill fisheries. Fish averaged less than 7 inches after eight years of growth. Anglers can expect to have moderate action from medium-sized fish. The management goal for Northern Pike was to maintain a catch near 6.0/gill net with the presence of 30-inch fish. Lower pike numbers are desirable because they often result in better growth and size quality. Pike catches have ranged from 5.0 to 10.8/gill net in the five surveys since 1977. The pike catch of 7.3 fish/gill net in 2025 was above the lake average and lakes of similar habitat. Northern Pike ranged from 14.1 to 35.6 inches and averaged 21.8 inches. Nine age-classes ranging from age 2 to 11 were documented. Pike growth was slow with fish averaging 19.3 inches after four years. Anglers could expect action from small to medium sized pike in Twin. Yellow Perch catches have ranged from 5.0 fish/net in 1982 to 14.8 fish/net in 1991. In 2025, the catch of 6.8 fish/net was above average for the lake type. Perch ranged from 5.9 to 10.5 inches and averaged 7.6 inches. Based on the size of perch, they are likely more important to the fish community as a prey source than a species of interest for anglers. Other species observed during the survey included Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Large and Smallmouth Bass and Walleye.

Twin Lake is in ecological lake class 32 and is located approximately six miles north of Goodland, in the Mississippi River Watershed. The lake is 133 acres and has a maximum depth of 35 feet. A survey targeting nearshore fish species was conducted by Area staff on 30 June, 2015. Ten sampling sites (100 feet long) were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-ft or 15-ft 1/8th inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. Shoreline seining was conducted at six of the 10 sites; the 15-ft seine was used at five sites and the 50-ft seine could only be used at one. Site conditions prevented the use of seining at four sites, primarily due to steep shores and logs. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sites. Nearshore sampling captured a total of 9 different species; 6 species by seining and 5 species by backpack electrofishing. The species can be found in the gear-specific catch tables in this report. Nearshore catches will be used with the gill net and trap net data from the standard survey conducted on 22 June, 2015, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of lake health. The surveys will assist the watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Twin Lake is a small lake within the Mississippi River watershed near Goodland, Minnesota. The DNR administered access is located just off Highway 65 on the north basin of the lake. The lake consists of three distinct, small basins that are interconnected via narrow channels. Navigation between the channels is difficult due to shallow water. Productivity is limited by low phosphorous and moderately soft, clear water. The Secchi depth in 2015 was 13 feet. The lake appears best suited for bass, pike, and panfish, although past management has included Walleye and Muskellunge stocking. The fisheries lake management plan (LMP) was last revised in 2002. Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Black Crappie were the primary management species. Largemouth Bass was the secondary management species. LMP goals included maintaining Bluegill at 34.0/trap net, Black Crappie at 2.0/trap net and Northern Pike at 6.0/gill net. A standard assessment was conducted in June of 2015 to determine the status of the fish community. This assessment consisted of 4 gill net and 6 trap net sets. Northern Pike were the most common fish in the gill net. The 2015 catch was high compared to similar lakes and was the highest observed for Twin Lake. High pike densities are generally undesirable, as pike typically exhibit density dependent growth. Average size and growth are typically poor when Northern Pike occur at high densities. Sampled pike from Twin Lake were generally small, as most pike were less than 21 inches. Some large pike were present, however, as one individual exceeded 35 inches. Length ranged from 17.0 to 35.4 inches and averaged 22.2 inches in 2015. Growth was near the statewide average, as Northern Pike generally exceeded 20 inches by age 4. Recruitment appeared inconsistent as 47% of the catch belonged to the 2012 year class. Anglers are encouraged to help improve the Northern Pike size structure by releasing pike over 22 inches. Lakes with similar habitats often produces moderate to high Bluegill populations characterized by slow growth and small average sizes. Bluegills were the most common fish in the trap net and second most common in the gill net. The 2015 trap net catch from Twin Lake was typical compared to similar lakes, but was the lowest observed from Twin Lake. Bluegill length ranged from 3.2 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.1 inches. Recruitment appeared consistent and growth was near the lake class average with bluegill exceeding 6 inches by age 7. Good angling opportunities appear to exist for high catches of small Bluegill, although size structure likely limits the popularity of the fishery. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for predatory fish, especially for Northern Pike and Walleye. The perch catch was typical compared to similar lakes and within the historical range from Twin Lake. Size structure was generally poor, and few perch exceeded 8 inches. Similar lakes generally produce few Walleye and Twin Lake has maintained a small population of Walleye, apparently via natural reproduction. Walleye stocking was attempted in the 1980s, but failed to improve catch rates and was discontinued. The Twin Lake Walleye fishery is unlikely to benefit from stocking or other management activities, given limitations of habitat and prey base. In 2015, two walleye were captured. This catch was similar to past samples. The captured Walleye were of quality size, measuring 21.8 and 24.5 inches. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie were present in both the gill nets and trap nets, but sample sizes were too low to characterize population dynamics. Bass are often difficult to sample in test nets and electrofishing has not been conducted on Twin Lake. Crappie catches have historically been low. Twin Lake is not known to support invasive species. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help stop the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

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

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

Twin has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Twin is from 2025.

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