South Twin
A 150-acre lake near Detroit Lakes in Becker County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 2004.
Fish Species (13)
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 7.2 per gill net · typical 2.8–8.7 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 7.17 | 23.4" | 3.14 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.44 | 23.4" | 1.45 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 21.50 | - | 1.36 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1976
Last surveyed 1976 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 1.5–23 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.22 | 6.0" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 1.00 | - | 0.14 lbs |
| Jul 29, 1985 | 0.12 | - | 0.10 lbs |
Walleye
Stocked 2022Below-normal numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net · typical 0.5–3.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.33 | 25.0" | 6.15 lbs |
| Jul 29, 1985 | 0.50 | - | 1.60 lbs |
| Jul 29, 1985 | 0.12 | - | 1.30 lbs |
Stocking Details
| Year | Size | Number | Pounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | fingerlings | 1,800 | 85.0 |
Large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.67 | 12.4" | 1.17 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.44 | 12.4" | 1.24 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 0.43 | - | 1.67 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989
Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.43 per trap net · typical 0.7–3.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 1989 | 0.43 | - | 0.17 lbs |
| Jun 28, 1976 | 1.12 | - | 0.12 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.8 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.83 | 5.5" | 0.14 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.78 | 5.5" | 0.18 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 4.71 | - | 0.21 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.33 | 6.1" | 0.19 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.00 | 6.1" | 0.15 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 0.75 | - | 0.40 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 11.7 per trap net · typical 5.7–40.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 14.50 | 5.7" | 0.20 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 11.67 | 5.7" | 0.17 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 9.71 | - | 0.20 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.4 per trap net · typical 1.3–6.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.50 | 4.4" | 0.04 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 1.44 | 4.4" | 0.11 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 0.25 | - | 0.20 lbs |
Other species in this lake (4)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1985
Last surveyed 1985 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.9 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 1985 | 0.50 | - | 2.55 lbs |
| Jun 28, 1976 | 0.33 | - | 2.00 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.11 | 10.6" | 0.77 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 2.67 | 10.6" | 0.77 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 2.00 | - | 0.96 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · average-size fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2004
Last surveyed 2004 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.89 per trap net · typical 1–8.4 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 3.83 | 9.5" | 0.50 lbs |
| Jul 26, 2004 | 0.89 | 9.5" | 0.54 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 23.25 | - | 0.48 lbs |
Below-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989
Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.14 per trap net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2004 | 2.17 | 10.8" | 0.80 lbs |
| Jul 24, 1989 | 0.14 | - | 1.00 lbs |
| Jul 29, 1985 | 0.12 | - | 0.80 lbs |
Fishing Regulations
Statewide limits
Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.
Walleye and Sauger
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"
Northern Pike
Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).
Largemouth Bass
Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 22, 2026
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
Catch-and-release only
Largemouth Bass
Season: May 23, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
Largemouth bass in the Southern and North-central zones
6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth (when smallmouth season is open)
Crappie
10 combined total
Sunfish
20 combined total
Perch
20 daily and 40 in possession
More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)
Northern Pike
Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027
North-central zone
Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").
Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers
no limit
Bullhead
100
Biologist Notes
July 26, 2004South Twin Lake has a fishery that is typical of other ecologically similar lakes in Minnesota. Largemouth bass, panfish, and northern pike are best s…
South Twin Lake has a fishery that is typical of other ecologically similar lakes in Minnesota. Largemouth bass, panfish, and northern pike are best suited for this 139 acre lake. Northern pike comprised the largest portion of the total fish catch by weight while bluegills were most abundant.Pike catches were relatively high compared to other class 28 lakes at 7.2 per net but within the historical range for this lake. These fish averaged 3.1 pounds and 24.2 inches. Some northern pike over 30 inches were found. Pike from the 2000 year class dominated the catch although some as old as nine years were caught.Bluegill catches have remained quite consistent since the first net survey in 1976. Growth rates are slower than normal and bluegills over eight inches long are rare.Black crappie and largemouth bass catches were slightly higher than historical averages for South Twin Lake and were within the normal ranges when compared to other class 28 lakes. Crappies sampled in test nets were young and small with the majority of those caught being two years old. Largemouth bass were generally older and larger with an average length of 13.1 inches.Although South Twin is not heavily developed, its small (139 acres) size makes it vulnerable to development related pressures. Water quality is relatively good at present and shoreline owners are encouraged to use best land management practices when doing work in the lake's watershed. While there is not currently a public boat access, overfishing is still possible in this small lake and anglers are encouraged to release medium to large fish and harvest smaller ones to maintain balance and sustain the fishery.
July 24, 1989NORTHERN PIKE NUMBERS HAVE STEADILY INCREASED WHILE AVERAGE SIZE HAS DECREASED SINCE 1976. BLUEGILL ABUNDANCE MAY HAVE DECREASED SINCE 1985, BUT GROWT…
NORTHERN PIKE NUMBERS HAVE STEADILY INCREASED WHILE AVERAGE SIZE HAS DECREASED SINCE 1976. BLUEGILL ABUNDANCE MAY HAVE DECREASED SINCE 1985, BUT GROWTH REMAINS SLOW. NUMBERS CAUGHT WERE FEWER THAN AREA MEDIAN. LARGEMOUTH BASS AND BLACK CRAPPIES ARE PRESENT IN AVERAGE NUMBERS. YELLOW PERTCH POPULATION, THOUGH BOLSTERED WITH STOCKING IN '85 REMAINS EXTREMELY LOW IN ABUNDANCE. WALLEYES, STOCKED AS FINGERLINGS IN '86 AND '87, WERE NOT CAUGHT IN THIS SURVEY. YELLOW BULLHEADS ARE VERY ABUNDANT AND HAVE BEEN INCREASING SINCE 1976 WHILE BLACK BULLHEADS HAVE BEEN DECREASING IN NUMBERS.
July 29, 1985NORTHERN PIKE, YELLOW BULLHEAD AND BLUEGILL POPU- LATIONS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN AREA MEDIANS. LARGEMOUTH BASS POPULATION IS GOOD AND WALLEYE AND YE…
NORTHERN PIKE, YELLOW BULLHEAD AND BLUEGILL POPU- LATIONS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN AREA MEDIANS. LARGEMOUTH BASS POPULATION IS GOOD AND WALLEYE AND YELLOW PERCH VERY LOW.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in South Twin?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Green Sunfish in South Twin. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at South Twin?
We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for South Twin. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.
How deep is South Twin?
South Twin has a maximum depth of 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in South Twin last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in South Twin is from 2004. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.
Does South Twin have any invasive species?
No invasive species are on record for South Twin in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.
Are there special fishing regulations on South Twin?
No — South Twin has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide perch limit is: 20 daily and 40 in possession. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.
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Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 150.2 acres
- Max Depth
- 37 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.97 mi
- Public Access
- Not confirmed