Two Rivers Lake
Stearns County, Minnesota583 acresView mapDirections
Minnesota PCA publishes the water-quality measurements for Two Rivers Lake. Here is what has been measured.
- Impaired · Impaired biota (cause unknown)
- 63 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Two Rivers Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 11.2 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 63 ft. Surface area: 583.47 acres.
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 8, 2024 caught 0.44 walleye per trap net at Two Rivers Lake. DNR survey details →
Two Rivers Lake is a 583-acre lake in Stearns County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 63 feet (21-foot average). The lake supports 17 documented fish species including black bullhead, black crappie, and bluegill. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2020-09-12. Methodology: how these readings are compared.
Two Rivers Lake covers about 580 acres in Stearns County. It has one public boat landing. The median ice-out date is April 7, which is when the open-water season begins. Vrbo is where to look for cabins and lake homes around Two Rivers Lake, and Booking.com and Expedia search hotels near the lake for your dates.
What Two Rivers Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water11.2 ft of visibility
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing17 species recorded
- Ice seasonIce-out around Apr 7
- Deep water63 ft surveyed max depth
Swimming conditions
No readingRecreation use not supported
Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Two Rivers Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
Whether Two Rivers Lake is safe to swim in today is a call for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota DNR and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.
Water quality measurements for Two Rivers Lake
These are the measurements Minnesota PCA publishes for Two Rivers Lake, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.
Good clarity, visible to about 11.2 ft. TSI 42.
| Measure | Reading | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|
| Water clarity (Secchi depth) | 11.2ft | Measured, not scored How deep a black-and-white disk stays visible from the surface. Higher is clearer. |
| Total phosphorus | No reading The nutrient that most limits algae growth in freshwater. More phosphorus, more algae potential. | |
| Chlorophyll-a (algae) | No reading The green pigment in algae — a direct measure of how much algae is in the water. | |
| Trophic state (TSI)Carlson's 0–100 index of how much algae a lake can support, from clarity, phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. | 42 | Mesotrophic OligotrophicMesotrophicEutrophicHypereutrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Ask about Two Rivers Lake
Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.
Water Temperature
Two Rivers Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in September. Summer average is about 64°F. Usually warmest in Jun (about 64°F) and coldest in May (about 52°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Column height runs from this lake’s coldest month (52°F) to its warmest (64°F).
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 47 field readings (2016–2016) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Two Rivers Lake water temperature breakdown →
Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 8, 2024 caught 0.44 walleye per trap net at Two Rivers Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Two Rivers Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
10 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2024-07-08 (Targeted Survey).
10 surveys on file · most recent 2024-07-08 (Targeted Survey)
| Species | Catch rate (CPUE) | Size | Avg weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bullhead | 94.18 | 6 in 2024-07-08 | 0.44 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 27.56 | 5–6 in 2024-07-08 | 0.14 lb |
| Bluegill | 21.15 | 2–7 in 2024-07-08 | 0.22 lb |
| Black Crappie | 17.03 | 3–11 in 2024-07-08 | 0.25 lb |
| Spottail Shiner | 16.29 |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, fish caught per net per set in a standardised survey. It measures abundance, not size, and 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.
Black Bullhead
Yellow Perch
Bluegill
Black Crappie
From the 2024-07-08 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Two Rivers Lake was conducted beginning July 8th, 2024, 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.…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Two Rivers 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 RiversFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Two Rivers (1989)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Two RiversFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Two RiversPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Lake Details
Max depth
63 ft
Average depth
21 ft
Surface area
583 acres
Shoreline
6.6 mi
Littoral zone
34%
Share shallower than 15 ft
Public access
Yes
Listed by Minnesota PCA
Lake Size & Watershed
Watershed (drainage) area
62 sq mi
HydroLAKES / HydroSHEDS
Elevation
1,115 ft
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Two Rivers LakePublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Stays via Stay22
Stays near Two Rivers Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Two Rivers Lake in Stearns 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 Rivers Lake
Prices for Oct 9–11, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Minnesota’s top lakes →
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Fish Species
Click a species to see every lake where it is documented.
Fishing Two Rivers 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.
Ice season
Typical ice-out
Apr 7
Earliest Mar 16, 2016 · Latest Apr 24, 2008
Typical ice-in
Nov 30
Earliest Nov 28, 2007 · Latest Dec 12, 2002
Most recent ice-out
Mar 27
2017
8 observations · Minnesota PCA ice records
EPA Impairment Status
Two Rivers Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Fish consumption, Recreation.
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MN73-0138-00 · Official waterbody report
Regulated Pollution Sources Nearby
1 EPA-permitted facility operate within about 5 miles of Two Rivers Lake under Clean Water Act (NPDES) discharge permits. 1 facility has a reported Clean Water Act violation in the past three years.
- Holdingford WwtpHoldingford · 3.6 mi away · NPDES MN0023710Recent violation
Facilities permitted to discharge under the Clean Water Act within ~5 miles; proximity does not by itself mean a facility affects this lake. Source: EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES), as of 2026-07.
Nearby Lakes in Stearns County
Frequently asked questions about Two Rivers Lake
Where is Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake is a lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Its water-quality measurements are published by Minnesota PCA and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake in Stearns County, Minnesota has water-quality measurements published by Minnesota PCA, shown here as reported. Water clarity: 11.2 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 63 ft. Surface area: 583.47 acres.
Is Two Rivers Lake safe to swim in?
- Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Two Rivers Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for impaired biota (cause unknown), mercury, nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen). Check local advisories before you swim.
What is the water temperature of Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake typically sits around 59°F at the surface in September, from 47 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2016–2016). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake has a maximum depth of 63 feet and an average depth of 21 feet. The lake covers 583.47 acres.
What fish are in Two Rivers Lake?
- Fish species found in Two Rivers Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, yellow perch. Two Rivers Lake is located in Stearns County, Minnesota.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Two Rivers Lake?
- Minnesota DNR's Targeted Survey on July 8, 2024 caught 0.44 walleye per trap net at Two Rivers Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not water quality. LakeQuality shows Two Rivers Lake’s water-quality measurements separately. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
When does Two Rivers Lake thaw?
- Two Rivers Lake typically has ice-out around Apr 7. Ice typically forms around Nov 30. The open water season is approximately 237 days.
Are there boat ramps on Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Two Rivers Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Two Rivers Lake?
- Two Rivers Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Minnesota's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.
Explore Two Rivers Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
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Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Where this data comes from
6 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA6 samples · 2020
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
EPA condition classes from the National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See where the data comes from and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Regulated discharger data from EPA ECHO (ICIS-NPDES)
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