Bronson

Lake Bronson, in Kittson County, is a 335-acre reservoir located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the city of Lake Bronson in northwestern Minnesota. Lake Bronson is part of the Two Rivers watershed, and was created in 1936 by damming the South Branch of the Two Rivers. Lake Bronson is located within Lake Bronson State Park and is the only fishing lake in Kittson County. There is a concrete boat ramp, canoe access, and two fishing piers available within the state park. Walleye is the primary species of management interest for Lake Bronson and have been stocked regularly since 1945. A population assessment in 2022 indicates a healthy population of Walleye inhabits Lake Bronson with a range of ages and sizes present. The Walleye gill net catch rate of 4.78 fish per net was down slightly from 2019 and better than average for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Walleyes sampled from nine age-classes ranged in age from 1 to 14 years old. The average Walleye sampled in 2022 was approximately 15 inches long and weighed just under two pounds. The largest Walleye sampled in 2022 was just over 24 inches long. The variety of sizes and good catch rates indicate a healthy population that will provide anglers opportunities to catch numbers and quality size Walleyes. The Black Crappie trap net catch rate was 2.22 fish per net in 2022 which is up from 2016 and 2019 and is about a fish per net less than average for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Average length of Black Crappie was slightly under 12 inches with the largest individual being approximately 15 inches. Four year old crappies from the 2018 year class dominate the fishable population and are of excellent size for anglers to target right now. Additionally, a very strong 2021 year class appears to be coming, which would only serve to enhance the Black Crappie fishery at Lake Bronson in the near future. Northern Pike gillnet catch rate is up slightly from 2019 and is on the high end of normal for similar lakes. Catch rates in 2019 were 5.9 fish per net, with an average length of approximately 20 inches. This is down slightly from recent surveys, although catch rates of protected slot fish and fish above the slot were similar to previous years. The largest Northern Pike sampled was just over 30 inches long. Yellow Perch gillnet catch rate was 27 fish per net, which is a decrease from 2019. Average Yellow Perch length was approximately seven and a half inches and ranged from four to eleven inches. Approximately 44% of the Yellow Perch sampled in gillnets were eight inches or greater which is within the normal ranger for Lake Bronson and higher than 2019. There are plenty of catchable size Yellow Perch which should continue to provide additional action for anglers. Smaller yellow perch were also observed in other gear and are an important food source for other fishes such as Walleye and Northern Pike.

Lake Bronson, in Kittson County, is a 335-acre reservoir located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the city of Lake Bronson in northwestern Minnesota. Lake Bronson is part of the Two Rivers watershed, and was created in 1936 by damming the South Branch of the Two Rivers. Lake Bronson is located within Lake Bronson State Park and is the only fishing lake in Kittson County. There is a concrete boat ramp, canoe access, and two fishing piers available within the state park. Walleye is the primary species of management interest for Lake Bronson and have been stocked regularly since 1945. A population assessment in 2019 indicates a healthy population of Walleye inhabits Lake Bronson with a range of ages and sizes present. The Walleye gill net catch rate of 5.33 fish per net was higher than average for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Walleyes sampled from ten age-classes ranged in age from 1 to 15 years old. The average Walleye sampled in 2019 was approximately 13 inches long and weighed slightly over one pound. The largest Walleye sampled in 2019 was 26.5 inches long. The variety of sizes and good catch rates indicate a healthy population that will provide anglers opportunities to catch numbers and quality size Walleyes. The Black Crappie trap net catch rate was 0.9 fish per net in 2019 and is down from both 2016 and 2013 (1.7 and 8.4 fish per net respectively) and is on the low end of the normal range for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Average length of Black Crappie was slightly over five inches with the largest individual being approximately 13 inches. Age analysis indicated that over 50% of the sampled were from the 2018 year-class. Black Crappie abundance often fluctuates, and is commonly dominated by one or two year-classes. In Lake Bronson, a self-sustaining population exists and when environmental conditions are optimal, strong year-classes contribute to a fishable population. Currently the majority of Black Crappie are small, but there are larger individuals in the population. These smaller individuals should begin to contribute to the fishery in the next year or two. Northern Pike gillnet catch rate is up compared to the 2013 and 2016 surveys and are on the high end of normal for similar lakes. Catch rates in 2019 were 5.4 fish per net, with an average length of approximately 22 inches. The largest Northern Pike sampled was almost 29 inches long. Yellow Perch gillnet catch rate was 59 fish per net; an increase from 2016 (24 fish per net). Average Yellow Perch length was approximately seven inches and ranged from 4 inches to 10.5 inches. Approximately 17% of the Yellow Perch sampled in gillnets were eight inches or greater which is down from previous surveys. Though the proportion of Yellow Perch over eight inches is down, there are still catchable size Yellow Perch which should continue to provide additional action for anglers. Smaller yellow perch were also observed in other gear and are an important food source for other fishes such as Walleye and Northern Pike. Other species are also present and provide some angling opportunity. Low numbers of Bluegills up to 9.5 inches and Pumpkinseed Sunfish up to seven inches were observed during the survey. Largemouth Bass were also present with an average weight of 2.8 pounds.

Lake Bronson, in Kittson County, is a 335-acre reservoir located approximately 1.5 miles SW of the city of Lake Bronson in northwestern Minnesota. Lake Bronson is part of the Two Rivers watershed, and was created in 1936 by damming the South Branch of the Two Rivers. Lake Bronson is located within Lake Bronson state park and is the only fishing lake in Kittson County. There is a concrete boat ramp, canoe access, and two fishing piers available within the state park. Walleye is the primary species of management interest for Lake Bronson and have been stocked regularly since 1945. A population assessment in 2016 indicates a healthy population of Walleye inhabits Lake Bronson with eight year-classes present. Walleye gill net catch rates were 2.78 per lift and are within the normal range for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. The average length of Walleye sampled in 2016 was 16.4 inches, weighing 1.8 pounds on average. The largest Walleye sampled in 2016 was 24.7 inches long. Walleye have good growth rates in Lake Bronson and will provide anglers the opportunity to catch quality-sized fish. Black Crappie trap net catch rates were 1.6 fish per lift in 2016 and are down from 2013 (8.4 fish per lift) but within the normal range for lakes similar to Lake Bronson. Average length of Black Crappie was 9.8 inches, with the largest individual being 12.6 inches. Age analysis indicated that over 50% of the sampled were of the 2013 year-class. Black Crappie abundance often fluctuates, and is common to be dominated by one or two year-classes. In Lake Bronson, a self-sustaining population is in place and when environmental conditions are optimal, strong year-classes will contribute to a fishable population. Since 2006, Northern Pike gill net catch rates have remained below 3.0 fish per lift, while the overall size structure continues to improve. Catch rates in 2016 were 2.3 fish per lift, with an average length of 21 inches. The largest Northern Pike sampled was 26.8 inches in length. Yellow Perch catch rates were 24.0 fish per lift; a decrease from 2013 (50.8 fish per lift). Average Yellow Perch length was 7.7 inches and ranged from 5.1 inches to 10.4 inches. Over 40% of the Yellow Perch sampled were 8 inches or greater and should provide plenty of action for perch anglers. Lastly, numerous Yellow Perch were sampled ranging from 2.5 to 3 inches that should contribute to the fishery as prey for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, and Bluegill in Bronson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Bronson has a maximum depth of 29 feet and a mean depth of 11.7 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Bronson is from 2022.

Yes — Bronson has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.