Long

Long Lake is a 415-acre lake located in Becker County on the western city limits of Detroit Lakes. Long Lake possesses a heavily developed shoreline and receives a high level of recreational use and angling pressure, particularly during the open water season. Zebra mussels were discovered in the lake in 2020. A standard fisheries survey was completed on Long Lake in June 2021. Walleye fingerlings are currently stocked into Long Lake biennially (odd-numbered years). Despite stocking, Walleye abundance in Long Lake is low. Walleye sampled in 2021 ranged in length from 15.8 to 21.0 inches, averaging 18.8 inches long. The average catch rate of Northern Pike in 2021 was about 19 pike per gill net, higher than the last five surveys. Northern Pike sampled in 2021 ranged in length from 4.3 to 27.8 inches, averaging 16.6 inches long. Pike between 14 and 19 inches accounted for 69% of sampled pike, characteristic of a population dominated by small sized fish. The average number of Bluegill caught in trap nets in 2021 was roughly 19 per net, below the lake's historical average. Despite the decline in numbers caught, size structure of Bluegill has improved in Long Lake in the last two surveys. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3.0 to 9.7 inches, with the average Bluegill measuring 5.7 inches long. Based on aging structures, it requires approximately eight years to grow an eight-inch Bluegill in Long Lake. Catch rates of Yellow Perch have remained low in Long Lake since surveying began in 1953. Only one Yellow Perch was caught during the 2021 survey. Few Black Crappie have been caught during standard surveys on Long Lake. The 2021 trap net catch rate of Black Crappie was less than one crappie per net, similar to the lake's historic average. A total of 19 Largemouth Bass were caught in trap nets, ranging in length from 4.5 to 18.6 inches and averaging 10.4 inches long. Additional species sampled in the 2021 survey included Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Rock Bass, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Cisco, and White Sucker. Yellow Bullhead were most abundant in catch among the three bullhead species. Shoreline owners can help to maintain or improve water quality and fish habitat in Long Lake by maintaining shoreline buffer zones and leaving stands of native aquatic vegetation intact. Anglers and recreationalists can protect Long Lake's fishery by doing their best to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species and by releasing larger fish and harvesting smaller fish for consumption (specifically Northern Pike and Bluegill).

Historically, Long Lake has been noted for its abundant populations of small Northern Pike and Bluegill. Pike catches in the 2016 assessment were higher than the lake's average and higher than other ecologically similar lakes. The average pike length in 2016 (17.2 inches) was about an inch shorter than average for Long Lake. The largest pike sampled was 28.5 inches. Anglers are encouraged to release Northern Pike over 24 inches to sustain a balanced population. Bluegills averaged 6.6 inches but several over eight inches were also caught. The largest was a 9.6 inch individual. Bluegill were found to take 9 years to reach 8 inches long. Walleyes are stocked regularly to maintain the fishery. Since 2001, Long Lake and three other area lakes have been involved in a statewide research study to determine the most effective Walleye stocking methods for a given lake type. Both Walleye frylings (~ 2 inches) and fingerlings (6-7 inches) have been stocked in the lake since then. The previous stocking regimen of 2.0 pounds of Walleye fingerlings per littoral acre, biennially, resumed in 2007. Despite stocking efforts, however, Walleye abundance has continued to decline below the lake average. Walleyes sampled in 2016 had an average length of 16.1 inches and an average weight of 1.9 pounds. Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie are also popular angling targets in Long Lake. Sampled Largemouth Bass ranged from 5.6 to 16.0 inches in length while crappies ranged from 4.3 to 10.8 inches in length. Black Crappie were found to take 5 years to reach 10 inches long. Long Lake is a small, highly developed lake that has shown some signs of declining water quality. Every effort should be made by lakeshore residents and other watershed dwellers to minimize nutrient inputs. Some helpful practices include: (1) leaving or establishing buffer strips of natural vegetation along the shores, (2) leaving aquatic vegetation stands like bulrush and cattail intact, (3) not fertilizing or using phosphorus free fertilizers, and (4) ensuring compliance of private septic systems. Many septic systems have now been replaced by the city sewer system and this should help to reduce nutrient input. Emergent vegetation stands are particularly important to the lake for both water quality and fish habitat and should be protected as much as possible.

A survey of near shore fish species was conducted by Detroit Lakes Area Fisheries Staff on Long Lake (03038300) on June 21, 2016. Long Lake is 357 acres, located within the city limits of Detroit Lakes, MN. During this survey, 10 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site is sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with either a 50-foot or a 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat condition. During this survey, four sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine, and five were was sampled with a 15-foot seine. Site conditions prevented the use of seines at one site. Backpack electrofishing was done at nine sites. Site conditions prevented the use of backpack electrofishing at one site. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including six species intolerant of disturbance and/or poor water quality (Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, and Mimic Shiner). Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Tadpole Madtom, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch. The near shore fish survey data is combined with gill net and trap net data from a June 2016 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score based on expectations for similar lakes. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Long Lake is located in the Ottertail River Watershed.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Long. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Long has a maximum depth of 61 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2021.

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