Two Inlets Lake
Two Inlets Lake in Becker County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 60 ft. Surface area: 577.98 acres.
- Clarity
- 9 ft
- Typical in August
- 71°F
- Max depth
- 60 ft
- Area
- 578 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Trend
- ↑ Improving
- Public access
- Yes
- Ice-out
- Apr 24
- Open water
- 206 days
Next lake in Becker County
Two Inlets Lake is a 578-acre mesotrophic lake in Becker County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 60 feet (23-foot average). Water quality is graded A based on 2 sampling years through 2025. Overall water quality is improving over recent sampling years. The lake supports 15 documented fish species including black crappie, bluegill, and brown bullhead. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 83 other monitored lakes in Becker County, Two Inlets Lake ranks #17 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-26. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Two Inlets Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
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.
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A (Excellent)
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9 ft. Phosphorus level: 15.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 6.3 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 46.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 9 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 15.5 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.3 µg/L | Good |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 46 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Two Inlets Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Two Inlets Lake in Becker 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 Two Inlets Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
Water Temperature
Two Inlets Lake typically sits around 71°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 69°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 71°F) and coldest in May (about 63°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 124 field readings (2018–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Two Inlets Lake water temperature breakdown →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Two Inlets Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (108,643 cells/mL) on November 22, 2025.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 60 ft |
| Average Depth | 23 ft |
| Surface Area | 578 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 7.3 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 29% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Two Inlets LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Two Inlets Lake
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-08-02 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg CPUE | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Perch | 30.18 | 0.11 lb |
| BMS | 24.63 | — |
| CSH | 21.78 | 0.03 lb |
| CRC | 20.11 | — |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 11.01 | — |
| CNM | 8.33 | — |
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.
Yellow Perch
CSH
From the 2021-08-02 survey
Two Inlets Lake is located south of Two Inlets, MN in eastern Becker County. Two Inlets has a surface area of 578 acres and a maximum depth of 60 feet. There is a state-owned public access located on the northwest shore of the lake. Two Inlets provides fishing opportunities for Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass,…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Two Inlets Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Two InletsFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Two Inlets (1012)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Two InletsFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Two InletsPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Water Quality Trend: ↑ Improving
Based on 6 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | ↑ Improving | +0.056 m/yr | 6 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (23 observations).
Estimated open water season: 206 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2012-03-27 (2012) | 2013-05-12 (2013) |
| Ice-In | 2006-10-31 (2006) | 2015-11-27 (2015) |
Most recent ice-out: 2016-04-02
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Two Inlets Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Two Inlets Lake (completed 1938), built primarily for recreation on the Hay Creek; gravity-type dam, 11 ft tall and 80 ft long.
- Surface area
- 600 ac
- Normal storage
- 1,900 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 4,000 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 150 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Low
- Owner
- MNDNR
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID MN00020 · Operator website
EPA Impairment Status
Two Inlets Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 4A).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN03-0017-00 · Official waterbody report
County Ranking
Ranked #17 of 84 lakes in Becker County
Nearby Lakes in Becker County
Frequently asked questions about Two Inlets Lake
What is the water quality grade for Two Inlets Lake?
- Two Inlets Lake in Becker County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Water clarity: 9 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 15.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 6.3 µg/L. Maximum depth: 60 ft. Surface area: 577.98 acres.
Is Two Inlets Lake safe to swim in?
- Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Two Inlets Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 6.3 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Two Inlets Lake?
- Two Inlets Lake typically sits around 71°F at the surface in August, from 124 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2018–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Two Inlets Lake?
- Two Inlets Lake has a maximum depth of 60 feet and an average depth of 23 feet. The lake covers 577.98 acres.
What fish are in Two Inlets Lake?
- Fish species found in Two Inlets Lake include black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead, greater redhorse, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, tullibee (cisco), walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Two Inlets Lake is located in Becker County, Minnesota.
When does Two Inlets Lake thaw?
- Two Inlets Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 24. Ice typically forms around Nov 16. The open water season is approximately 206 days.
Does Two Inlets Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Two Inlets Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (108,643 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Minnesota's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Two Inlets Lake?
- Two Inlets Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Two Inlets Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Two Inlets Lake across LakeGrade
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Minnesota
Fish species and best lakes in Becker County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Detroit Lakes Area area
Top lakes and where to stay in the Park Rapids Area area
Where to stay at Minnesota's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Red River of the North Watershed, ranked by water quality
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Minnesota's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Two Inlets Lake
Other Grade A Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
Compare Two Inlets Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
167 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA167 samples · 2020–2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Two Reagent Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
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
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate