Long

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Long Lake was conducted on June 25-26, 2024 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample nine stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at one station. Nearshore sampling captured 17 species of fish including six species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e. Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured seven species of fish. Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number and by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Long Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the MNDNR FIBI general use threshold determined for similar lakes. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Leech Lake River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Long Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Long Lake (Pinecrest, Long Lake # 2, Pickerel) (DOW# 11-0258; Lake Class 32) is a 246 acre lake with 5.1 miles of shoreline located northeast of Backus, MN. There is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access located on the northeast shore. The MNDNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Long Lake is in Lake Class 32; lakes in this class are irregularly shaped with a high percentage of water 15 feet and shallower. Other Lake Class 32 lakes in the Walker Area include Long (Lost Rocky), Moccasin and Island. Primary management species include Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill, with Northern Pike as a secondary management species. A standard lake survey was completed in 2023. Long Lake provides multi-species angling opportunity. Largemouth Bass abundance was the highest recorded in 2023. Sampled Largemouth Bass ranged in length from 6 to 17 inches with an average length of 13 inches. Management goals for Largemouth Bass are based on spring electrofishing which was not conducted in 2023. Black Crappie were caught in moderate numbers averaging 9 inches in length with fish from 6 to 13 inches sampled. Management goals for the Black Crappie population are still being developed. Bluegill were sampled in lower numbers and did not meet management catch goals. Bluegill size structure exceeded management goals with fish averaging 7 inches long and ranging from 4 to 9 inches. Northern Pike were abundant exceeding the management goals with fish ranging in length from 11 to 32 inches with an average length of 19 inches long. Northern Pike size restrictions and possession limits for Long Lake are defined in the North Central Zone Northern Pike regulations. Anglers are encouraged to harvest Northern Pike under 22 inches long. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently no Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are found in Long Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Long Lake (DOW# 11-0258; Lake Class 32) is a 246 acre lake located near Backus, MN. A DNR owned public access on the northeast shore. Long Lake has 5.10 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 37 feet. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Long Lake is in Lake Class 32; lakes in this class are irregularly shaped with a high percentage of water 15 feet and shallower. Long Lake is a lake that offers a little something for everyone. Currently Black Crappie are abundant in Long Lake with fish up to 15 inches. Similarly, Bluegill are abundant with fish up to 8 inches and Northern Pike are abundant with fish up to 31 inches. Largemouth Bass are moderately abundant in Long Lake with bass as large as 18 inches sampled, and Smallmouth Bass were sampled for the first time in 2015. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Yellow Bullhead. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. No aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Long Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Black Crappie, Walleye, 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 37 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2024.

No invasive species are on record for Long in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.