Minnesota · Douglas County
Lake Brophy Fishing guide
Lake Brophy is a 297-acre lake in Douglas County, Minnesota, reaching 44 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 11 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassFair numbers35.1per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 76 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 76 fish
2022Lengths measured · 17 fish
2016Lengths measured · 88 fish
2010Lengths measured · 108 fish
2006Northern pikeFair numbers6.5per gill net20"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 40 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 40 fish
2022Lengths measured · 69 fish
2016Lengths measured · 41 fish
2010Lengths measured · 48 fish
2006BluegillJust a few10.1per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 197 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 197 fish
2022Lengths measured · 81 fish
2016Lengths measured · 158 fish
2010Lengths measured · 254 fish
2006CrappieJust a few0.2per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 19 fish
2022Lengths measured · 9 fish
2016Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 7 fish
2010Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2006Rock bassGood numbers1.7per gill net8"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 12 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2022Lengths measured · 5 fish
2016Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2010Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2006Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
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 Lake Brophy through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 11 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 44 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 11 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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 44 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 | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Walleye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19" | 28" | 23" |
| 2016 | 16" | 35" | 27" |
| 2010 | 20" | 29" | 30" |
| 2006 | 14" | 28" | 25" |
| 2002 | 15" | 26" | 26" |
| 1997 | 19" | 33" | 27" |
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:
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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
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 | 82,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,375 fingerlings · 2,460 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 2,510 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 1,438 fingerlings · 177 yearlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,650 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,960 fingerlings · 1,075 yearlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,507 fingerlings · 16 yearlings · 35 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Brophy Lake was conducted on July 10, 2023, 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 ten sampling stations, but one station was sampled from the boat due soft sediments and dense vegetation. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations and site conditions prevented the use of a seine at one station. Nearshore sampling captured twenty species of fish including seven species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish).
The nearshore data were combined with gill net and trap net data from a July 2022 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, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Common Carp and Green Sunfish). 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.
Read the full DNR narrative
Results from this survey will be considered when the biological health of Brophy Lake is assessed during the Long Prairie River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Lake Brophy fishing reports
Recent reports on Lake Brophy 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
- Brophy Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Lake Brophy depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Lake Stony · 87 ac · 0.7 mi
- Lottie Lake · 46 ac · 0.7 mi
- North Union Lake · 118 ac · 0.7 mi
- Lake Cowdrey · 243 ac · 1.2 mi
- Lake Mina · 411 ac · 1.8 mi
- Lake Louise · 215 ac · 1.9 mi
- Lake Latoka · 767 ac · 2.2 mi
- Lake Darling · 1,050 ac · 2.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Lake Brophy?
Lake Brophy reaches 44 ft at its deepest point; about 55% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Lake Brophy?
Lake Brophy covers 297 acres with about 3.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Lake Brophy?
DNR Secchi readings on Lake Brophy average 11 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Lake Brophy?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Lake Brophy stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Lake Brophy have a public access?
Yes. Lake Brophy has one public access site: Brophy Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Lake Brophy?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 19"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Lake Brophy last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Lake Brophy in 2023, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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