Two Rivers

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Two Rivers Lake was conducted beginning July 8th, 2024, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 13 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including 3 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Iowa Darter, Blackchin shiner, and Smallmout Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish and Common Carp). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish. Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill, White Sucker, and Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Two Rivers Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Two Rivers Lake is impaired for biological health. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Sartell watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Two Rivers by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Two Rivers Lake was conducted on August 23-28, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Fourteen sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at fourteen sampling stations and similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample fourteen stations. Nearshore sampling captured twenty-four species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Smallmouth Bass) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, and Green Sunfish). The nearshore data was combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey indicate that the fish community in Two Rivers Lake is impacted by stressors as indicated by an FIBI score that is near the general use threshold determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Sartell-Mississippi River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Two Rivers Lake is a 575-acre lake located three miles southwest of Holdingford in north central Stearns County. The lake has a maximum depth of 63 feet and an average summer water clarity of 6.5 feet. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish to a depth of 15 feet. The watershed is large with land use dominated by cultivated crops and pasture. The Two River flows through Two Rivers Lake and into the Mississippi River 10 miles to the northeast. A public access is located on the west side of the lake. Two Rivers is managed primarily for Walleye and the last survey was conducted in 2019. Anglers can expect good fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, and panfish. The Walleye fishery of Two Rivers Lake has been maintained through a mixture of fry and fingerling stocking dating back to 1952.. Fingerling stocking continues biennially with additional stocking by the lake association. The Walleye catch in 2023 was similar to 2019 and the long-term average for Two Rivers Lake and was within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Two Rivers. Lengths in 2023 ranged from 8.5 to 29.7 inches with an average length and weight of 16.0 inches and 1.8 pounds. Sixty-five percent of walleye sampled were longer than 15 inches. Walleye grow fast in Tw River Lake reaching 15 inches in 3 - 4 years. Northern Pike numbers were the highest on record , surpassing the previous high in 2019.Northern Pike numbers have increased tremendously since 2014 and are now above the range of expected values for lakes similar to Two Rivers. Lengths ranged from 13.0 to 35.0 inches with an average length and weight of 23.5 inches and 3.3 pounds. Twenty-three percent of Northern Pike were longer than 26 inches and 9% were longer than 30 inches. Anglers can expect good fishing for Northern Pike in the coming years, with a good chance to catch some larger fish. However, anglers can help maintain the quality size structure by harvesting smaller pike (less than 22 inches) and releasing the larger individuals in the population. Daytime electrofishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass was conducted May 26th. The catch rate for Largemouth Bass was higher than in 2019, whereas the catch rate for Smallmouth Bass was lower than in 2019. The Largemouth Bass catch rate was well below the average bass catch rate in the Sauk Rapids Area. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 13.4 to 19.3 inches with an average length of 15.7 inches while Smallmouth Bass lengths ranged from 11.0 to 19.6 inches with an average length of 16.5 inches. The Bluegill catch in 2023 was lower than the catch in 2019, but within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Two Rivers. Lengths ranged from 3.5 to 7.9 inches with an average length of 5.4 inches. Thirty-nine percent of the Bluegill caught were longer than six inches and none were longer than eight inches. Black Crappie numbers were lower than 2019, but still above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 4.5 to 11.2 inches with an average length of 7.7 inches. Fourteen percent of crappies were longer than 10 inches. Anglers can expect the good fishing for Black Crappie, with the chance of catching fish over 10 inches in length. Yellow Perch numbers were lower than 2019, but within the range of expected values. Lengths ranged from 5.4 to 8.0 inches with an average length of 6.4 inches. This decrease in Yellow Perch numbers may be partially due to the increase in Northern Pike numbers over the last 10 years. White Suckers continue to be relatively abundant with catches above the range of expected values for the lake class. Other species sampled included: Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

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

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

Two Rivers has a maximum depth of 63 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Two Rivers is from 2024.

Yes — Two Rivers has confirmed starry stonewort. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.