East Twin Lake
East Twin Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 22 ft. Surface area: 123.21 acres.
- Clarity
- 4.9 ft
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Area
- 123 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Trend
- ↓ Declining
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in St. Louis County
East Twin Lake is a 123-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 22 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is declining over recent sampling years. The lake supports 7 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 67 other monitored lakes in St. Louis County, East Twin Lake ranks #45 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-08-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch East Twin Lake water quality
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Murky, only visible to about 4.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 8.9 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 4.9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 21 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 8.9 µg/L | Fair |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near East Twin Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near East Twin Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near East Twin Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 22 ft |
| Surface Area | 123 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 3.3 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 56% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Burntside Lake (North)Public
- Burntside Lake (Northeast)Public
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing East Twin Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.131 m/yr | 6 |
EPA Impairment Status
East Twin Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN69-0174-00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #45 of 68 lakes in St. Louis County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
East Twin Lake holds Grade C. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in St. Louis County
Frequently asked questions about East Twin Lake
What is the water quality grade for East Twin Lake?
- East Twin Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 4.9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 21 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 8.9 µg/L. Maximum depth: 22 ft. Surface area: 123.21 acres.
Is East Twin Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. East Twin Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 8.9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is East Twin Lake?
- East Twin Lake has a maximum depth of 22 feet. The lake covers 123.21 acres.
What fish are in East Twin Lake?
- Fish species found in East Twin Lake include black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. East Twin Lake is located in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
Are there boat ramps on East Twin Lake?
- East Twin Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Burntside Lake (North), Burntside Lake (Northeast). Public access is listed as yes.
Explore East Twin Lake across LakeGrade
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High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
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Where this data comes from
11 measurements from 2 monitoring stations, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA11 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (2)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory