Minnesota · Wadena County
Lower Twin Lake Fishing guide
Lower Twin Lake sits in Wadena County, Minnesota, and covers 252 acres, reaching 26 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 5.5 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.5per gill net20"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 31 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2021Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 24 fish
2018Lengths measured · 29 fish
2013Northern pikeJust a few2.7per gill net22"Typical40"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 26 fish
2023Lengths measured · 7 fish
2021Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 58 fish
2018Lengths measured · 48 fish
2013Last recorded in the 2013 survey and not seen since.
BluegillJust a few7.1per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 130 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 57 fish
2023Lengths measured · 73 fish
2021Lengths measured · 149 fish
2018Lengths measured · 42 fish
2013CrappieJust a few0.6per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 22 fish
2023Lengths measured · 1 fish
2021Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 9 fish
2018Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 23 fish
2013Yellow perchOne of the best around52.5per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 322 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 316 fish
2023Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 352 fish
2018Lengths measured · 869 fish
2013Last recorded in the 1998 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassGood numbers0.8per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2023Lengths measured · 10 fish
2023Lengths measured · 6 fish
2021Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2018Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 15 fish
2013Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Lower Twin Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 69% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. With 69% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30" | 17" | — |
| 2021 | 25" | 6" | — |
| 2018 | 27" | 12" | 18" |
| 2013 | 28" | — | 16" |
| 2008 | 27" | 15" | 16" |
| 2003 | 25" | — | 18" |
| 1998 | 27" | 12" | — |
| 1993 | 28" | — | — |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Trolling
Snap Weights + Stickbaits
4–5" suspending or slow-floating stickbait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 175,440 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 3,872 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 3,189 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 4,245 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 4,025 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 134,130 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Lower Twin Lake is located in northern Wadena County, just south of the Hubbard County Line. Lower Twin has a surface area of 252 acres and a maximum depth of 26 feet. A state-owned public access is located on the channel (Shell River) connecting Upper and Lower Twin Lakes. The Shell River flows through Upper and Lower Twin Lakes and eventually into the Crow Wing River. Lower Twin is a popular fishing lake and receives moderate to heavy fishing pressure year around. Lower Twin provides multi-species opportunities for anglers, with good populations of Walleye, Northern Pike, and panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Class 31 lakes generally have very hard water and a regularly shaped shoreline. Other class 31 lakes in the Park Rapids management area include: Second, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Crow Wing Lakes, Boulder, Duck, Evergreen, Hattie, Hinds, and Tripp.
Read the full DNR narrative
Walleye abundance has remained steady the past several surveys on Lower Twin. Eleven year classes of Walleye were sampled and ranged in size from 7.9 to 30.0 inches.
Yellow Perch, an important forage species for Walleye, were sampled in high numbers, similar to past surveys. Yellow Perch were small in size and generally not an acceptable size for angling. Yellow Perch up to 8.6 inches were sampled.
Past surveys have shown the Northern Pike population to fluctuate from moderate to high numbers. Northern Pike abundance was lower this survey, but quality sized fish were sampled. Northern Pike had an average length of 24.3 inches and weighed 3.7 pounds with fish measured up to 40.9 inches.
Panfish are a popular choice year-round on Lower Twin. Anglers will find Bluegill and Pumpkinseed in the 7-8 inch size range and Black Crappie in the 9-10 inch size range. Past surveys have shown Black Crappie to fluctuate from low to moderate numbers.
Lower Twin has both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations. Present and past surveys have shown low to moderate Largemouth Bass populations compared to other area lakes. Smallmouth Bass were not sampled in 2023, but have been sampled in low numbers in past surveys.
Lower Twin has an abundant White Sucker and Redhorse population. Anglers pursuing these species will find high numbers in the inlet and outlet areas.
Currently faucet snails and curly leaf pondweed, both aquatic invasive species (AIS), have been identified in Lower Twin. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lower Twin Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Lower Twin Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- South Twin Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lower Twin Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Upper Twin Lake · 213 ac · 0.8 mi
- Blueberry Lake · 533 ac · 2.5 mi
- Hinds Lake · 305 ac · 2.5 mi
- Stocking Lake · 362 ac · 2.7 mi
- Lord Lake · 62 ac · 3.1 mi
- Moran Lake · 101 ac · 3.9 mi
- Spirit Lake · 114 ac · 4.7 mi
- Duck Lake · 326 ac · 6.2 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lower Twin Lake?
Lower Twin Lake reaches 26 ft at its deepest point; about 69% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lower Twin Lake?
Lower Twin Lake covers 252 acres with about 2.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lower Twin Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Lower Twin Lake average 5.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lower Twin Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, brown trout, rock bass.
Is Lower Twin Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lower Twin Lake have a public access?
Yes. Lower Twin Lake has one public access site: South Twin Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Lower Twin Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Lower Twin Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lower Twin Lake in 2023, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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