Brown

Aitkin County

Near Libby

DOW: 01007800

Largemouth BassGood · 50Hybrid SunfishGood · 50BluegillAverage · 40

A 68-acre lake near Libby in Aitkin County — best known for bass and panfish. Last surveyed 2003.

Fish Species (11)

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.9"

Avg Weight

0.17 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.4 for a lake like this

Size of catchable largemouth bass25% keeper-size (12"+)

8–11" · 75%Largest sampled 14"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	1.00	6.9"	1.05 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 2003	3.00	6.9"	0.17 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	0.50	-	3.70 lbs	Standard gill nets

Hybrid Sunfish

Good · 50

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

5.7"

Avg Weight

0.20 lbs

Catch rate: 4.5 per trap net

Size of catchable hybrid sunfish0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	4.50	5.7"	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	3.50	-	0.20 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 40

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.04 lbs

Catch rate: 58.0 per trap net · typical 4.3–32.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable bluegill0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	18.00	4.8"	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 2003	58.00	4.8"	0.04 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	13.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Crappie

Poor · 24

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.5"

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1–9.1 for a lake like this

Size of catchable black crappie0% keeper-size (10"+)

5–9" · 100%Largest sampled 9"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	1.00	6.5"	0.22 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 2003	3.00	6.5"	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1989	2.50	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 20

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

4.8"

Avg Weight

0.11 lbs

Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net · typical 1.3–9.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable pumpkinseed0% keeper-size (8"+)

3–7" · 100%Largest sampled 5"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	1.33	4.8"	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	1.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1989	2.25	-	0.16 lbs	Standard trap nets

Northern Pike

Poor · 15

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

17.3"

Avg Weight

1.27 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 2.5–7.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable northern pike0% keeper-size (24"+)

14–23" · 100%Largest sampled 23"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	1.17	17.3"	1.14 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 2003	3.00	17.3"	1.27 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1989	5.50	-	2.17 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 7

Below-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

6.0"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch0% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 100%Largest sampled 7"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	0.50	6.0"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 21, 2003	0.33	6.0"	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	0.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets

Other species in this lake (4)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Yellow Bullhead

Good · 70

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

9.4"

Avg Weight

0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 14.8 per trap net · typical 1.8–9.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	14.83	9.4"	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 2003	9.00	9.4"	0.43 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 24, 1989	15.00	-	0.28 lbs	Standard gill nets

White Sucker

Good · 54

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1984

Last surveyed 1984 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.50 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 18, 1984	0.50	-	2.50 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Good · 51

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1989

Last surveyed 1989 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.70 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net · typical 0.5–10 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 24, 1989	0.25	-	1.70 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 24, 1989	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 18, 1984	0.50	-	1.00 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Poor · 21

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003

Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.5"

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.17 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 21, 2003	0.17	8.5"	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 21, 2003	0.50	8.5"	0.47 lbs	Standard gill nets

Biologist Notes

July 21, 2003Brown lake is a small lake located eleven miles north of McGregor on the western side of Big Sandy Lake. The primary game fish species include bluegil…

Brown lake is a small lake located eleven miles north of McGregor on the western side of Big Sandy Lake. The primary game fish species include bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike. Fishing effort is light, mainly from shore anglers targeting bluegill. Winter angling is very light, mainly targeting black crappie.

July 24, 1989The gillnet index for northern pike is below the third regional quartile. The trap net indices for yellow bullhead largemouth bass are above the third…

The gillnet index for northern pike is below the third regional quartile. The trap net indices for yellow bullhead largemouth bass are above the third regional quartile for each species. The trap net indices for brown bullhead, black crappie and yellow perch are below the first regional quartile for each species. Northern pike ranged from two to six years of age. The growth rates for the fourth through the sixth growth increments range from twenty three to thirty five percent slower than normal. Bluegill ranged from two to eight years of age with strong year classes indicated for 1983 and 1984. The growth rates for the second through the fifth growth increments range from forty to fifty three percent slower than normal. Black crappie ranged from three to eight years of age with a strong year class indicated for 1986. The growth rates for the second through the seventh growth increments ranged from twenty to forty percent slower than normal.

July 18, 1984Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Yellow Bullhead populations are all above state local medians for abundance. Northern Pike population is clos…

Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Yellow Bullhead populations are all above state local medians for abundance. Northern Pike population is close to the median for abundance. Largemouth Bass, Brown Bullhead and Yellow Perch are all below the medians for abundance. Growth rate data on Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie all indicate very slow growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Brown?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Brown. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Brown?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Brown. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Brown?

Brown has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Brown last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Brown is from 2003. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.