Minnesota · Stearns County
Two Rivers Lake Fishing guide
Two Rivers Lake covers 584 acres in Stearns County, Minnesota, reaching 63 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 3.7 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 10 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Good numbers4.6per gill net15"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 45 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 4 fish
2024Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 41 fish
2023Lengths measured · 41 fish
2019Lengths measured · 32 fish
2014Largemouth bassJust a few11.7per hr (electrofishing)16"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2023Lengths measured · 14 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014Lengths measured · 4 fish
2009Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeGood numbers13.1per gill net23"Typical35"Biggest
Lengths measured · 122 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2024Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 117 fish
2023Lengths measured · 115 fish
2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2014BluegillJust a few19.5per trap net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 345 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 206 fish
2024Lengths measured · 139 fish
2023Lengths measured · 236 fish
2019Lengths measured · 36 fish
2014CrappieJust a few4.7per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 121 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 40 fish
2024Lengths measured · 81 fish
2023Lengths measured · 218 fish
2019Lengths measured · 230 fish
2014Yellow perchGood numbers9.1per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 112 fish
Recent · 2023 + 2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 105 fish
2023Lengths measured · 182 fish
2019Lengths measured · 22 fish
2014No recent survey rating.
Rates 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 Two Rivers Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.7 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 63 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. In 3.7 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 63 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 27" | 33" | — |
| 2023 | 29" | 35" | 19" |
| 2019 | 29" | 30" | 17" |
| 2014 | 28" | 28" | 20" |
| 2009 | 28" | 32" | 14" |
| 1999 | 23" | 26" | 11" |
| 1993 | 21" | 34" | — |
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 · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Spinnerbait
3/8–1/2 oz safety-pin spinnerbait with tandem willow-leaf blades
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 972 fingerlings · 686 yearlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 6,000 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 6,070 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 6,250 fingerlings · 3,135 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 6,000 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 5,817 fingerlings · 107 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 10,000 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 7,500 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 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. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 13 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including 3 species that are intolerant of disturbance (Iowa Darter, Blackchin shiner, and Smallmout Bass) and two that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish and Common Carp).
A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 10 species of fish. Bluegill and Black Crappie comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill, White Sucker, and Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass.
Read the full DNR narrative
The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner and Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Two Rivers Lake is adversely impacted by stressors, as indicated by an FIBI score below the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Two Rivers Lake is impaired for biological health. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Sartell watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Two Rivers by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Two Rivers Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Two Rivers 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
- Two Rivers Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Two Rivers Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pelican Lake · 291 ac · 2.2 mi
- Pine Lake · 108 ac · 2.2 mi
- Lower Spunk Lake · 179 ac · 5 mi
- Ochotto Lake · 40 ac · 5.2 mi
- Middle Spunk Lake · 236 ac · 5.6 mi
- Linneman Lake · 110 ac · 6.5 mi
- Big Spunk Lake · 415 ac · 6.6 mi
- St. Anna Lake · 126 ac · 6.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Two Rivers Lake?
Two Rivers Lake reaches 63 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 21 ft; about 34% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Two Rivers Lake?
Two Rivers Lake covers 584 acres with about 6.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Two Rivers Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Two Rivers Lake average 3.7 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Two Rivers Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is Two Rivers Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Two Rivers Lake have a public access?
Yes. Two Rivers Lake has one public access site: Two Rivers Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Two Rivers Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Two Rivers Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Two Rivers Lake in 2024, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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