North Brown's Lake

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How deep is North Brown's Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in North Brown's Lake?

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What are the fishing regulations for North Brown's Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations North Brown's Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

North Brown's Lake is located in south-central Stearns County, north of Eden Valley. It is the third in a series of lakes that outlet to the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. A survey was conducted in 2013 to assess fish populations, including spring electrofishing and summer netting. Catch rates were compared to previous surveys and lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations of North Brown's.

The immediate watershed of North Brown's Lake is 4,000 acres, although the lake also receives inputs from Eden and Mud Lakes, which have a watershed of 24,000 acres. Water clarity is typically greater than ten feet during spring, but declines over summer. Submersed plants were found growing as deep as 8.5 feet, but the overall plant community was not very diverse. Coontail and Canada waterweed were the most common plant species found. Curly-leaf pondweed was much less abundant than it was in 2003 when it was found growing over much of the shallow area of the lake. The above average snowfall and unusually late spring may have contributed to the decline of this nuisance species.

Largemouth Bass were sampled in spring by day-time electrofishing. The catch rate (33.0/ hr) was similar to the average rate for lakes in the Montrose management area (37.6/hr). Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 7.4 to 19.3 inches with an average length and weight of 14.8 inches and 2.3 pounds. Of the catchable size bass, 81 percent were greater than 12 inches and 58 percent were greater than 15 inches.

The fishery of North Brown's Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. In 2013, the catch of Northern Pike was higher than the expected range for lakes similar to North Brown's, and 2-3 times higher than desired. Northern Pike ranged in length from 18.2 to 34.5 inches and averaged 23.2 inches and 2.8 pounds. Estimated growth rates were similar to statewide averages and 34 percent of Northern Pike were longer than 24 inches.

The Walleye population of North Brown's Lake is managed through stocking. Fingerlings were used in the 1980s and 1990s, and catch rates were below the range of expected values for lakes similar to North Brown's. In an attempt to increase the population, Walleye fry were stocked in the odd numbered years since 2003. Evidence of fry survival was seen in fall electrofishing surveys with 50 percent of the stockings producing medium to strong year classes, but the 2013 gill net catch was still low. Walleye ranged in length from 17.6 to 23.8 inches and averaged 20.6 inches. Since fry stocking can result in a higher population of Walleye at a lower cost, it will still be the preferred stocking strategy, but Walleye fingerlings will be stocked when fry survival is poor.

The Channel Catfish population in North Brown's has increased significantly over the past ten years. Catfish catches went from a total of two fish in 2003 when they were first sampled, to 28/gill net in 2013. Periods of high water likely allowed migration from nearby Long Lake and the rest of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes, where Catfish are abundant. Channel Catfish ranged in length from 15.7 inches to 27.3 inches and averaged 18.8 inches and 2.2 pounds.

Black Crappie numbers were average compared to the expected range for lakes similar to North Brown's, but catch rates have declined over the past two surveys. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4.3 to 11.9 inches with an average length and weight of 8.3 inches and 0.36 pounds. Most of the individuals were age 2 or 3, indicating fast growth rates. The average size of crappies may increase in the future as these two year classes grow.

The Bluegill catch rate in 2013 was above average for this lake class, but down from the previous two surveys. Bluegill ranged in length from 1.8 to 8.9 inches and averaged 6.3 inches and 0.22 pounds. Bluegill growth was fast and fish grew to six inches in three years.

Other fish species sampled in low numbers included: three bullhead species (Yellow, Black, and Brown), White Sucker, Common Carp, and Bowfin.

What is the average air temp for North Brown's Lake?