Twin Lake
Ramsey County, MinnesotaEutrophic
Twin Lake earns a C — middle-of-the-pack water quality, with one or two parameters dragging the average down from a stronger grade. The three sub-grades — clarity, phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a — track close together, so no single parameter is dragging the average.
A TSI in the eutrophic range signals a lake doing what nutrient-loaded waters do — supporting an active algal community at the cost of clear water. The lake bottoms out at 33 ft — a moderate depth that supports a warm-water fishery without the year-round cold refuge a deeper basin provides. At 32 acres, Twin Lake sits below the Minnesota median: a small water where shoreline activity has an outsized effect on water quality. Among the 49 graded lakes in Ramsey County, Twin Lake sits at rank 14, above the county median.
Twin Lake has no invasive species recorded in Minnesota state databases as of 2024, though prevention practices still apply at all access points. The fishery is bass-led, with 8 documented species across the lake's records. No formal public access is documented at Twin Lake — most use is by shoreline residents and their guests. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2024-09-09. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C, Fair
Moderate clarity, visible to about 7.9 ft. Phosphorus level: 32 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 51.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 7.9 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 32 µg/L | C |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 51 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 33 ft |
| Surface Area | 32.43 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 48% |
| Public Access | No |
Fish Species
Click a species to see all Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes where it is found.
→ Best fishing times for Twin Lake (14-day solunar calendar)
→ Is it safe to eat fish from Twin Lake? (mercury & PFAS guide)
→ Twin Lake fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↓ Declining | -0.305 m/yr | 5 |
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +2.75 µg/L/yr | 5 |
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #14 of 49 lakes in Ramsey County
Nearby Lakes in Ramsey County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Twin Lake
Other Grade C Lakes in Minnesota
Eutrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
5 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 1996-07-24 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 21.58 | 0.32 lb |
| Bluegill | 13.96 | 0.11 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 11.22 | 0.1 lb |
| Black Crappie | 5.57 | 0.17 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 5.41 | 0.08 lb |
| Green Sunfish | 3.89 | 0.08 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE = more abundant in standardized sampling.
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
Yellow Perch
Black Crappie
Pumpkinseed
From the 1996-07-24 survey
Twin Lake does not appear to have winterkilled sevrely in the past five or more years. Thus, populations of several species offer angling opportunities to lake residents. However, there is no public access. Bluegill were the most abundant specices sample, but are small with an average size of 4.5 inches and fewer than…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Twin Lake. 1 report on file.
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — TwinFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Most recent sample: 2024-09-09
Monitoring stations: 1