Lower Twin

Lower Twin Lake is located in northern Wadena County, just south of the Hubbard County Line. Lower Twin has a surface area of 252 acres and a maximum depth of 26 feet. A state-owned public access is located on the channel (Shell River) connecting Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. The Shell River flows through Upper and Lower Twin Lakes and eventually into the Crow Wing River. Lower Twin is a popular fishing lake and receives moderate to heavy fishing pressure year around. Lower Twin provides multi-species opportunities for anglers, with good populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, and panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Class 31 lakes generally have very hard water and a regularly shaped shoreline. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Crow Wing Lakes, Boulder, Duck, Evergreen, Hattie, Hinds, and Tripp. Walleye abundance has remained steady the past several surveys on Lower Twin. Eleven year classes of Walleye were sampled and ranged in size from 7.9 to 30.0 inches. Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye, were sampled in high numbers, similar to past surveys. Yellow Perch were small in size and generally not an acceptable size for angling. Yellow Perch up to 8.6 inches were sampled. Past surveys have shown the Northern Pike population to fluctuate from moderate to high numbers. Northern Pike abundance was lower this survey, but quality sized fish were sampled. Northern Pike had an average length of 24.3 inches and weighed 3.7 pounds with fish measured up to 40.9 inches. Panfish are a popular choice year-round on Lower Twin. Anglers will find Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 7-8 inch size range and Black Crappie in the 9-10 inch size range. Past surveys have shown Black Crappie to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers. Lower Twin has both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations. Present and past surveys have shown low to moderate Largemouth Bass populations compared to other area lakes. Smallmouth Bass were not sampled in 2023, but have been sampled in low numbers in past surveys. Lower Twin has an abundant White Sucker and Redhorse population. Anglers pursuing these species will find high numbers in the inlet and outlet areas. Currently faucet snails and curly leaf pondweed, both aquatic invasive species (AIS), have been identified in Lower Twin. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Lower Twin Lake was conducted on July 19-21, 2021, 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 all 10 sampling stations, but three stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample three stations, a 15-foot seine was used to sample four stations, and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at three stations. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. 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 17 species of fish, including two that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Greater Redhorse and Rock Bass). Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, and River Redhorse comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from July 2018 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., Green Sunfish). 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 Lower Twin Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Crow Wing River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Lower Twin Lake (80-0030-00) is a 251.91-acre lake with a maximum depth of 26 feet located 4 miles east of Menahga, MN. A survey targeting near shore fish species was conducted by Park Rapids Fisheries Staff on July 25, 2018 to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Ten 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 conditions. During this assessment, one sites was sampled with a 50-foot seine and three sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at six sites. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 10 sites, several of which were conducted from the side of the boat. Nearshore sampling captured eleven species of fish including two species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, and Blackchin Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Common Shiner, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Logperch, Smallmouth Bass, Tadpole Madtom and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gill net and trap net catch data from a standard fisheries survey conducted on July 9, 2018, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score which is indicative of the health of Lower Twin Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Lower Twin Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill in Lower Twin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Lower Twin has a maximum depth of 26 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Lower Twin has confirmed faucet snail and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.