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FishGrade

Two

Lake County
Near Ely
DOW: 38060800
Northern PikeExcellent · 86WalleyeGood · 55BluegillGood · 50

A 516-acre lake near Ely in Lake County — best known for pike and walleye. Last surveyed 2016.

Fish Species (7)

Excellent · 86

Above-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
23.0"
Avg Weight
3.18 lbs

Catch rate: 3.9 per gill net · typical 1.2–3.6 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike50% keeper-size (24"+)
14–23" · 50%Largest sampled 36"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20163.8923.0"3.18 lbs
Jun 17, 19966.2221.3"2.36 lbs
Aug 2, 19785.33-1.63 lbs
Good · 55

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
13.3"
Avg Weight
1.25 lbs

Catch rate: 3.4 per gill net · typical 3.1–9.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye31% keeper-size (15"+)
10–14" · 69%Largest sampled 27"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20163.4413.3"1.25 lbs
Jun 17, 19962.0012.7"0.85 lbs
Aug 2, 197812.33-0.97 lbs
Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
7.3"
Avg Weight
0.39 lbs

Catch rate: 1.2 per gill net

Size of catchable bluegill45% keeper-size (8"+)
3–7" · 55%Largest sampled 8"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20161.227.3"0.39 lbs
Jun 17, 19960.226.5"0.26 lbs
Aug 2, 19781.17-0.55 lbs
Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
16.0"
Avg Weight
2.54 lbs

Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net · typical 0.3–0.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20160.1116.0"2.54 lbs
Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.6"
Avg Weight
0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.78 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.2 for a lake like this

Size of catchable rock bass29% keeper-size (8"+)
4–7" · 71%Largest sampled 8"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20160.786.6"0.30 lbs
Jun 17, 19960.895.3"0.34 lbs
Aug 2, 19781.00-0.17 lbs
Poor · 8

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1996

Last surveyed 1996 — treat with caution

Avg Size
6.2"
Avg Weight
0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 1.9–7.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)
5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"
Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 17, 19960.676.2"0.11 lbs
Aug 2, 19780.67-0.07 lbs
Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Good · 65

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 2016

Last surveyed 2016 — treat with caution

Avg Size
15.3"
Avg Weight
2.06 lbs

Catch rate: 4.8 per gill net · typical 2.8–6.7 for a lake like this

Survey History
DateCatch RateAvg LengthAvg Weight
Jun 6, 20164.7815.3"2.06 lbs
Jun 17, 19964.3313.3"2.50 lbs
Aug 2, 19788.67-0.99 lbs

See the best northern pike lakes in Minnesota

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

Northeast zone

Angling: 2 (not more than 1 over 40" in possession. All from 30-40" must be immediatley released).

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

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

Northeast zone

Darkhouse spearing: 2 (Not more than 1 over 26").

Rock Bass

30

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 1, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.8 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, there was not a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with 8.7 feet of suitable habitat available. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 1, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.8 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, there was not a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with 8.7 feet of suitable habitat available. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

August 1, 2025Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and…

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Lake Two on August 1st, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 32.8 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 21.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 19.8 feet at the time of sampling. Therefore, there was not a layer of water with sufficient temperature and dissolved oxygen for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 18.6 degrees C (65.5 degrees F). TDO3 values warmer than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were unsuitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates suitable oxythermal habitat, with 8.7 feet of suitable habitat available. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Two?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, and Rock Bass in Two. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Two?

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Two. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

How deep is Two?

Two has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Two last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Two is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Two have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Two in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Two?

No — Two has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.

More lakes in Lake County

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Lake Details

Surface Area
516.11 acres
Max Depth
35 ft
Shoreline
16.15 mi
Public Access
Yes
View on DNR LakeFinderDNR depth map (PDF)

Location

47.9120°N, 91.4606°W

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