Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest August 13, 2024
South Twin Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at South Twin Lake average 10.82 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 13, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–18 inches. In Mahnomen County, Minnesota, South Twin Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 10.2 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at South Twin Lake
15 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at South Twin Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on South Twin Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at South Twin Lake average 10.82 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 13, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–18 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades South Twin Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-08-13 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 26.62 | 0.14 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 10.82 | 0.72 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 9.66 | 0.12 lb |
| Northern Pike | 6.70 | 1.63 lb |
| Walleye | 3.81 | 2.26 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
From the 2024-08-13 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in South Twin Lake was conducted on August 13th, and 14th, 2024, by Detroit Lakes Fisheries Staff. The survey consisted of 14 sampling stations evenly spaced around the lake. All stations were sampled with a backpack electrofishing unit, 11 were sampled with a 50-foot seine…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for South Twin Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — South TwinFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — South Twin (1946)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — South TwinFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — South TwinPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in South Twin Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at South Twin Lake average 10.82 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated August 13, 2024. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–18 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 15 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was South Twin Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for South Twin Lake is dated August 13, 2024. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is South Twin Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for South Twin Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how South Twin Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades South Twin Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 2 years of monitoring is improving. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near South Twin Lake
Top-rated places to stay near South Twin Lake
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