Browns Lake near 45.3860, -94.5380 is a lake in Stearns County, Minnesota. Browns Lake covers about 312 acres, reaches a recorded 35 feet and holds about 5,739 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Browns Lake Affect Fishing
Browns Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.
Fish and Baits at Browns Lake
Fish reported from Browns Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, channel catfish, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, spotfin shiner, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Browns Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Browns Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Browns Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Browns Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp
For bottom fishing at Browns Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Browns Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
How the Seasons Change Browns Lake
Spring at Browns Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Browns Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Browns Lake
On a first trip to Browns Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Browns Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Browns Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Browns Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 312-acre Browns Lake?
At Browns Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 35-foot deep end of Browns Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Browns Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 5,739 acre-foot storage figure mean at Browns Lake?
At Browns Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.