Minnesota · Stearns County
North Brown's Lake Fishing guide
North Brown's Lake sits in Stearns County, Minnesota, and covers 312 acres, reaching 41 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 5.2 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 12 times, most recently in 2024, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Good numbers4.6per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 36 fish
2024Lengths measured · 18 fish
2018Lengths measured · 2 fish
2017Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2015Northern pikeOne of the best around17.8per gill net20"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 142 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 142 fish
2024Lengths measured · 93 fish
2018Lengths measured · 109 fish
2013Lengths measured · 168 fish
2003BluegillPresent16.5per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 132 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 132 fish
2024Lengths measured · 273 fish
2018Lengths measured · 127 fish
2013Lengths measured · 348 fish
2003CrappiePresent24.1per gill net7"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 193 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 193 fish
2024Lengths measured · 97 fish
2018Lengths measured · 42 fish
2013Lengths measured · 133 fish
2003Yellow perchExcellent numbers25.3per gill net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 200 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 200 fish
2024Lengths measured · 145 fish
2018Lengths measured · 102 fish
2013Lengths measured · 241 fish
2003Channel catfishGood numbers3per gill net25"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 75 fish
2018Lengths measured · 228 fish
2013Lengths measured · 2 fish
2003Only 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 North Brown's Lake through the year
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- 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 41 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.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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 41 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 33" | 26" | 12" |
| 2018 | 33" | 27" | 18" |
| 2017 | — | 19" | — |
| 2015 | — | 23" | — |
| 2013 | 34" | 23" | 19" |
| 2003 | 32" | 27" | 20" |
| 1995 | 30" | 27" | 6" |
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:
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
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 | 1,114 fingerlings · 15 yearlings · 114 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 4,031 fingerlings · 340 yearlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 260,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 260,000 fry · 1,390 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 260,000 fry · 898 fingerlings · 107 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 310,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
North Browns is a 324-acre lake located five miles north of Eden Valley in southern Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 41 feet and a large watershed dominated by agriculture. . The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and has a public access is located on the northeast end of the lake. This survey was conducted to update the fisheries data last collected in 2018. Anglers can expect good fishing for Northern Pike, Walleye, and panfish.
Very few emergent and floating-leaf plants were found when last surveyed in 2018, less than one acre and 5.9% of the shoreline. Submergent plants were not surveyed, but coontail and Canada waterweed were dominant species in previous plant surveys. Water clarity was better than the last survey; Secchi depth was 9.0 feet in June and dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish to 19 feet.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Walleye population had been managed through fry stocking since 2003; however, since fry survival has been poor fry stocking was discontinued after 2021. The Walley population is now manged through fingerling stocking. Walleye numbers were the highest on record in 2024, but within the range of expected values for the lakes similar to North Brown's. Walleye sampled ranged in length from 10 to 27 inches with an average length and weight of 18 inches and 2 pounds. Ninety-seven percent of Walleye collected were 10 inches or longer, with 78%being 15 inches or longer and 31% being 20 inches or longer. Walleye ages ranged from two to 13 years old, and growth was faster than the statewide average, but similar to the Sauk Rapids Area average, taking 3 years to reach 16 inches. High Northern Pike numbers likely limit Walleye survival.
Northern Pike numbers have always been high with past catches ranging from 5.3 to 19.2/gill net with long-term average of 14.7/gill net. The Northern Pike catch in 2024 was higher than both 2018 and 2013 and exceeded the expected range of values for lakes similar to North Brown's. Northern Pike ranged in length from 13 to 33 inches with an average length and weight of 21 inches and 2 pounds. Ninety-nine percent of Pike sampled were 14 inches or longer, with 14% being 26 inches or longer and 4% being 30 inches or longer.
Black Crappie numbers were higher than the last survey in 2018 and nearly double the long-term average. Lengths ranged from 4 to 12 inches with an average length of eight inches. Forty-nine percent of Black Crappie sampled were eight inches or longer and 12% were 10 inches or longer. Bluegill were also sampled in the gillnets and ranged in length from 4 to 9 inches with an average length of 6 inches. Thirteen percent of Bluegill caught were longer than eight inches.
The Yellow Perch catch rate was within the expected range of values for lakes like North Brown's and higher than 2018. Lengths ranged from five to eight inches with an average length of six inches . However, catches were much higher in the 1980s and 1990s. As Northern Pike abundance has increased, Yellow Perch abundance has decreased.
Channel Catfish are abundant in the Sauk River Chain of Lakes and have colonized connected waters such as North Browns Lake. Channel Catfish were first sampled in North Brown's Lake in 2003 (2 fish) and then peaked in 2013. Since 2013, catfish abundance has decreased down to 3.0/gill net in 2024. Catfish sampled in 2024 ranged in length from 23 to 30 inches with an average length and weight of 26 inches and eight pounds. Channel Catfish abundance has been steadily decreasing while average size has been increasing.
Other species sampled included: Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
North Brown's Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on North Brown's 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
- North Browns Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
North Brown's Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Long Lake · 487 ac · 1.1 mi
- Eden Lake · 278 ac · 2.4 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 629 ac · 2.9 mi
- Vails Lake · 161 ac · 3.3 mi
- Big Lake · 458 ac · 3.4 mi
- Cedar Island Lake · 986 ac · 3.5 mi
- Rice Lake · 1,513 ac · 4 mi
- Becker Lake · 221 ac · 4.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is North Brown's Lake?
North Brown's Lake reaches 41 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 18.2 ft; about 42% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is North Brown's Lake?
North Brown's Lake covers 312 acres with about 2.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in North Brown's Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on North Brown's Lake average 5.2 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in North Brown's Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, channel catfish.
Is North Brown's Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does North Brown's Lake have a public access?
Yes. North Brown's Lake has one public access site: North Browns Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in North Brown's Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 33"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was North Brown's Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed North Brown's Lake in 2024, the most recent of 12 surveys on record.
Page updated .
Featured guide spot
Your guide service here
One featured guide per lake, with your photo, your writeup and a link straight to your booking page. Free through December 31, 2026.
Then $20 a month from January. Cancel any time.
The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for North Brown's Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
Open North Brown's Lake on the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report