Minnesota · Kittson County
Bronson Lake Fishing guide
Bronson Lake sits in Kittson County, Minnesota, and covers 312 acres, reaching 29 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 3.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2022Good numbers4.8per gill net14"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 54 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 54 fish
2022Lengths measured · 59 fish
2019Lengths measured · 28 fish
2016Lengths measured · 3 fish
2015Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few5.9per gill net19"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 77 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 77 fish
2022Lengths measured · 71 fish
2019Lengths measured · 29 fish
2016Lengths measured · 30 fish
2013CrappieJust a few2.2per trap net4"Typical15"Biggest
Lengths measured · 163 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 163 fish
2022Lengths measured · 41 fish
2019Lengths measured · 20 fish
2016Lengths measured · 96 fish
2013Yellow perchExcellent numbers26.9per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 254 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 254 fish
2022Lengths measured · 590 fish
2019Lengths measured · 265 fish
2016Lengths measured · 485 fish
2013Rock bassGood numbers2.3per gill net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 9 fish
2019Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 13 fish
2016Lengths measured · 11 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 Bronson Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 3.9 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. With 71% 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. In 3.9 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 71% 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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 24" | 17" | 30" |
| 2019 | 26" | 17" | 28" |
| 2016 | 24" | 18" | 26" |
| 2015 | 13" | — | — |
| 2013 | 21" | 18" | 34" |
| 2010 | 25" | 18" | 35" |
| 2006 | 24" | 18" | 28" |
| 2001 | 17" | 14" | 36" |
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
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
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
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Walleye | 223,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 250,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 221,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 221,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 300,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
Lake Bronson, in Kittson County, is a 335-acre reservoir located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the city of Lake Bronson in northwestern Minnesota. Lake Bronson is part of the Two Rivers watershed, and was created in 1936 by damming the South Branch of the Two Rivers. Lake Bronson is located within Lake Bronson State Park and is the only fishing lake in Kittson County. There is a concrete boat ramp, canoe access, and two fishing piers available within the state park.
Walleye is the primary species of management interest for Lake Bronson and have been stocked regularly since 1945. A population assessment in 2022 indicates a healthy population of Walleye inhabits Lake Bronson with a range of ages and sizes present. The Walleye gill net catch rate of 4.78 fish per net was down slightly from 2019 and better than average for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Walleyes sampled from nine age-classes ranged in age from 1 to 14 years old. The average Walleye sampled in 2022 was approximately 15 inches long and weighed just under two pounds. The largest Walleye sampled in 2022 was just over 24 inches long. The variety of sizes and good catch rates indicate a healthy population that will provide anglers opportunities to catch numbers and quality size Walleyes.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Black Crappie trap net catch rate was 2.22 fish per net in 2022 which is up from 2016 and 2019 and is about a fish per net less than average for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Average length of Black Crappie was slightly under 12 inches with the largest individual being approximately 15 inches. Four year old crappies from the 2018 year class dominate the fishable population and are of excellent size for anglers to target right now. Additionally, a very strong 2021 year class appears to be coming, which would only serve to enhance the Black Crappie fishery at Lake Bronson in the near future.
Northern Pike gillnet catch rate is up slightly from 2019 and is on the high end of normal for similar lakes. Catch rates in 2019 were 5.9 fish per net, with an average length of approximately 20 inches. This is down slightly from recent surveys, although catch rates of protected slot fish and fish above the slot were similar to previous years. The largest Northern Pike sampled was just over 30 inches long.
Yellow Perch gillnet catch rate was 27 fish per net, which is a decrease from 2019. Average Yellow Perch length was approximately seven and a half inches and ranged from four to eleven inches. Approximately 44% of the Yellow Perch sampled in gillnets were eight inches or greater which is within the normal ranger for Lake Bronson and higher than 2019. There are plenty of catchable size Yellow Perch which should continue to provide additional action for anglers. Smaller yellow perch were also observed in other gear and are an important food source for other fishes such as Walleye and Northern Pike.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Bronson Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Bronson 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
- Lake Bronson (E) (trailer launch)
- Lake Bronson State Park, East Campground (trailer launch)
- Bronson Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
- Bronson Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
Bronson Lake depth map
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Bronson Lake?
Bronson Lake reaches 29 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 11.7 ft; about 71% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Bronson Lake?
Bronson Lake covers 312 acres with about 9.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Bronson Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Bronson Lake average 3.9 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Bronson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Bronson Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2022; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Bronson Lake have a public access?
Yes. Bronson Lake has 4 public access sites, including Lake Bronson (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Bronson Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 24"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2001.
When was Bronson Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Bronson Lake in 2022, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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