Minnesota Fishing Guide

O'Brien

Crow Wing County, Minnesota — DOW #18022700

204 Surveys
185.69
Acres
49 ft
Max Depth
0
14
Fish Species
15
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on O'Brien. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.6 0.30 lb 3
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.4 – 3.1 0.56 lb 7

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.6 – 2.6 0.71 lb 12
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.2 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.5 0.69 lb 19
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.5 0.80 lb 9
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 2.6 1.36 lb 2
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.6 (below normal) 0.6 – 2.6 1.05 lb 5
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.6 – 2.6 0.30 lb 8
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.4 – 2.5 0.31 lb 7
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 2.6 0.97 lb 3

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.35 lb 4
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.28 lb 4
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 1.8 — — 7
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.4 — — 2
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.10 lb 4
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.15 lb 10
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.18 lb 5
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.2 0.14 lb 29
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.14 lb 35
1999-06-21 Survey seining 1.0 — — 3
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.07 lb 2
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 1.0 – 10.3 0.19 lb 7

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.7 (normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.32 lb 22
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 29.0 (above normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.28 lb 261
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 1.8 — — 2
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.37 lb 18
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 11.3 (normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.32 lb 45
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.72 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.70 lb 8
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 3.4 — — 2
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 3.7 (normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.48 lb 33
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 8.5 (normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.13 lb 51
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 44.1 (above normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.13 lb 441
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.62 lb 1
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 6.0 (normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.46 lb 36
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 1.5 — — 1
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.8 (below normal) 2.1 – 15.8 0.63 lb 5
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 2.7 – 13.5 0.65 lb 7

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 11.5 (above normal) 3.5 – 8.9 1.34 lb 69
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 2.2 — 0.58 lb 20
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 3.5 – 8.9 1.65 lb 24
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.80 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 6.0 (normal) 3.5 – 8.9 1.62 lb 18
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 0.76 lb 3
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 1.7 — — 1
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.96 lb 4
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 10.0 (above normal) 3.5 – 8.9 0.64 lb 60
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.9 — 0.28 lb 9
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 8.0 (normal) 3.5 – 8.9 1.46 lb 24
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.67 lb 2
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 10.7 (above normal) 3.5 – 8.9 1.51 lb 64
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 1.34 lb 10

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 8.9 — 0.20 lb 80
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 8.8 — — 10
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 3.3 — — 13
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.8 — — 4
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 4.8 — 0.26 lb 19
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.3 — 0.28 lb 14
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 6.7 — — 4
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 0.32 lb 11
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.0 — — 6
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 9.0 — 0.10 lb 90
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 2.0 — 0.23 lb 12
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 7.4 — — 5
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.7 — 0.23 lb 4
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.4 — 0.34 lb 13

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.6 0.50 lb 1
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.7 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.19 lb 15
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 2.3 — — 9
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 4.2 — — 21
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 26.3 — — 30
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.6 0.65 lb 2
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.15 lb 2
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 5.0 — — 3
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.6 2.33 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.33 lb 4
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.31 lb 7
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.6 0.35 lb 2
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.07 lb 8
1999-06-21 Survey seining 3.3 — 0.01 lb 10
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.6 1.21 lb 2
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 0.31 lb 2
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 10.3 — — 7
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.4 – 1.6 0.94 lb 9
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.3 – 1.4 1.27 lb 10

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 3.7 — 0.12 lb 22
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 107.8 (above normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.16 lb 970
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 50.9 — — 58
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 19.5 — — 78
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 58.8 — — 294
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 2.3 — 0.19 lb 7
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 62.8 (above normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.19 lb 251
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 53.8 — — 32
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 6.0 — — 18
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.05 lb 3
2012-06-25 50-ft beach seine 28.0 — — 28
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 14.7 (normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.22 lb 88
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 29.7 (normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.28 lb 267
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 9.5 — 0.07 lb 57
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 98.3 (above normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.07 lb 983
1999-06-21 Survey seining 17.0 — — 51
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 4.7 — 0.22 lb 14
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 64.2 (above normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.06 lb 385
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 31.0 — — 21
2019-08-23 15-ft beach seine 1.3 — — 5
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 3.3 — 0.23 lb 20
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 16.0 (normal) 9.5 – 57.3 0.26 lb 144

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.16 lb 8
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 5.9 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.14 lb 53
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 4.4 — — 5
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — — 4
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.6 — — 3
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.3 — 0.20 lb 4
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 7.0 (above normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.26 lb 28
2012-06-25 50-ft beach seine 2.0 — — 2
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.5 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.18 lb 15
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 3.4 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.31 lb 31
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 2.8 (normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.09 lb 28
1999-06-21 Survey seining 3.0 — — 9
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.11 lb 1
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 8.3 (above normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.23 lb 50
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.2 — 0.27 lb 7
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.5 – 6.8 0.34 lb 8

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.0 – 3.9 0.25 lb 4
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 5.0 (above normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.20 lb 45
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 3.9 0.13 lb 3
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.23 lb 4
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 1.7 — — 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.43 lb 6
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.36 lb 4
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.14 lb 17
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 3.9 0.30 lb 3
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.36 lb 3
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 3.9 0.32 lb 6
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.8 – 4.0 0.54 lb 4

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1987-06-22 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.2 4.05 lb 2
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.2 3.51 lb 4
1984-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 1.00 lb 1
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.2 2.25 lb 2
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 2.77 lb 1
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.5 – 1.2 4.98 lb 7
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 4.01 lb 2
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.2 2.53 lb 1

LED

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Smallmouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — 1
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 2
2012-06-25 50-ft beach seine 1.0 — 1
2019-08-23 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 2.6 — 13
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 10.5 — 12
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 0.8 — 3
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 3.0 — 2

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 1.0 — 5
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 4.4 — 5
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 10.3 — 7

Bluntnose Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 3.8 — 19
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 86.0 — 98
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 34.5 — 138
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 21.9 — 13
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 5.0 — 15
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 107.9 — 73
2019-08-23 15-ft beach seine 36.5 — 146

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

BKF

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 2.6 — 3
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 8.4 — 5
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1
2019-08-23 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 3.0 — 2

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — — 1
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 0.9 — — 1
2012-06-25 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.85 lb 1
2012-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.7 0.34 lb 5
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 5.0 — — 3
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 1.7 0.50 lb 7
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 1.5 — — 1
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.39 lb 3
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 1.7 0.37 lb 6

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.2 — 1

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 20.2 — 23
2022-08-22 50-ft beach seine 0.5 — 2
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 30.3 — 18
1984-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 0.9 5
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 29.6 — 20

CNM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 10.5 — 12
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 3.4 — 2

BCS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 15-ft beach seine 0.6 — 3
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 1.7 — 1

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2022-08-22 Backpack electrofishing 1.8 — 2
2012-06-25 Backpack electrofishing 6.7 — 4
2012-06-25 15-ft beach seine 0.3 — 1
1999-06-21 Survey seining 0.3 — 1
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 5.9 — 4
2019-08-23 15-ft beach seine 0.5 — 2

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1992-06-22 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 0.40 lb 1
1992-06-22 Standard trap nets 1.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 0.5 0.78 lb 4
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.5 1.46 lb 1
1999-06-21 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.5 – 2.3 2.69 lb 2
1999-06-21 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 0.5 3.53 lb 1
2019-06-24 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.3 3.86 lb 2
2019-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.3 – 0.5 4.01 lb 4

Spottail Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2019-08-23 Backpack electrofishing 5.9 — 4

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Nisswa, MN

(218) 820-1301

★ 4.4

Bertha Boatworks

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 543-4100

★ 4.5

Birch Island Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

Brad Dwyer Outdoors

Brainerd, MN

(218) 838-0001

★ 5

Crow Wing Kayaks

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-1200

★ 4.9

Dunham's Sports

Baxter, MN

(218) 829-2367

★ 4

Fish Lectronics of Nisswa

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 568-4806

★ 5

Fishy Gifts

Pequot Lakes, MN

(218) 568-2347

★ 5

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

★ 4.3

66 marine north storage

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Deerwood, MN

(218) 534-3435

★ 4.3

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Deerwood, MN

(218) 678-2096

★ 4.2

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near O'Brien

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near O'Brien.

Bay Colony Inn (A Gull Lake Beach Resorts Property)
Fishing Resort Nisswa

(218) 656-6965
Crosslake Cabin
Fishing Resort Crosslake
Crosslake Cabins
Fishing Resort Crosslake
Crosslake Vacations & Rentals
Fishing Resort Crosslake

(218) 656-0403

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit O'Brien. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Brown BullheadGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassSmallmouth BassWalleyeYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near O'Brien

371 Outdoors (Ice Forts)
Fishing Guide

(218) 824-1722
Blong's Brainerd Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 825-8965
Brainerd Fishing Guides
Fishing Guide

(218) 829-7010
Crosslake Rental
Fishing Guide

(218) 692-7368
Ice Camp Outfitters
Fishing Guide

(320) 345-7111
Let's Go Fishing Brd Lks Chapter
Fishing Guide

(218) 454-3474

View all 15 guides →

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Adney

310.06 acres

Agate

187.03 acres

Allen

44.45 acres

Ann

46.61 acres

Anna

112.16 acres

Arrowhead

296.37 acres

Plan Your Trip to O'Brien

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.