Long

Long Lake is a 159-acre lake located in southern Clearwater County just west of Itasca State Park off of MN State Hwy 200. The lake is located adjacent to a county park with camping facilities. There is a public water access located in the park on the northwest end of the lake. The lake is a popular destination for trout anglers in both the open and hard-water seasons. The county park also offers a fishing pier providing a great shore fishing opportunity for those without access to a boat. Long Lake is managed as a two-story fishery which contains both warm and coldwater fish species. Yearling Rainbow Trout are stocked annually (14,500 fish) which has resulted in consistent trout fishing from year to year. These fish are typically 9 to 11 inches in length at the time of stocking. Growth rates for trout are good and carryover of stocked fish from previous years is common, providing the opportunity to catch larger trout as well. Rainbow trout up to 16 inches in length were captured in this survey. Long is not a designated stream trout lake, but most anglers need a trout stamp if they want to harvest trout. Northern Pike are present in low numbers, which is the result of previous efforts to remove the species. Northern pike are voracious predators of trout, but their presence in small numbers is likely not detrimental and provides an opportunity for anglers to catch a large pike. While Fisheries managers often promote catch and release of larger pike, trout lakes are an exception where harvest is encouraged. Populations of Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass are present but can be limited by insufficient habitat and food resources in two-story lakes such as South Long. Bluegill up to 9 inches and black crappie over 11 inches in length were captured in this survey. Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers, with fish over 14 inches in length captured. Even though these warmwater species reproduce consistently in Long Lake, slow growth appears to be limiting the maximum size these fish are able to attain. Other species of fish captured in the 2022 survey were Brown Bullhead, Yellow, Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

Long Lake is a 159-acre lake located in southern Clearwater County just west of Itasca State Park off of MN State Hwy 200. The lake is located adjacent to a county park which offers primitive and RV campsites. There is a public water access located in the park on the northwest end of the lake. The lake is a popular destination for trout anglers in both the open and hard-water seasons. The county park also offers a fishing pier providing a great shore fishing opportunity for those without access to a boat. Long Lake is managed as a two-story fishery which contains both warm and coldwater fish species. Yearling rainbow trout are stocked annually (14,500 fish) which results in consistent trout fishing from year to year. These fish are typically 9 to 11 inches in length at the time of stocking. Growth rates for trout are good and carryover of stocked fish from previous years is common, providing the opportunity to catch larger trout as well. The 2017 catch rate for rainbow trout was 8.33 fish/gill net, up from 4.83/GN in the most recent survey (2012). Rainbow trout up to 17.32 inches in length were captured in the survey. Northern Pike are present in low numbers, which is the result of previous efforts to remove the species and the prevention of Pike migration from other connected waters. The 2017 catch rate for Northern Pike was 1.17 fish/gill net, which was below the normal range found in similar lakes. Northern Pike in the 2017 survey ranged in length up to 30.79 inches, although larger pike are likely present in the population. Northern pike are voracious predators of trout, but their presence in small numbers is likely not detrimental and provides an opportunity for anglers to catch a large pike. While Fisheries managers often promote catch and release of larger pike, trout lakes are an exception where harvest is encouraged. Species such as Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass can be limited by insufficient habitat and food resources in two-story lakes such as South Long, resulting in slow growth rates. The 2017 Bluegill catch rate of 29.33 fish/trap net is within the range found in similar lakes. Bluegill up to 8.07 inches in length were captured. Even though Bluegill are reproducing consistently in Long Lake, growth rates appear to be limiting the maximum size the fish are able to attain. Black Crappie were captured in good numbers (1.22 fish/trap net) for this lake type. Largemouth Bass were captured in low numbers, with fish up to 14.37 inches in length present. Other species of fish captured in the 2017 survey were Brown Bullhead, Yellow, Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

Long Lake is a 159-acre lake located in southern Clearwater County just west of Itasca State Park off of MN State Hwy 200. The lake is located adjacent to a county park which offers primitive and RV campsites. There is a public water access located in the park on the northwest end of the lake. The lake is a popular destination for trout anglers in both the open and hard-water seasons. The county park also offers a fishing pier providing a great shorefishing opportunity for those without access to a boat. Long Lake is managed as a two-story fishery which contains both warm and coldwater fish species. Yearling rainbow trout are stocked annually at the rate of 100 fish/acre which results in consistent trout fishing from year to year. Growth rates for trout are good and carryover of stocked fish from previous years is common, providing the opportunity to catch larger trout as well. Long Lake also supports populations of panfish (bluegill and black crappie), largemouth bass and northern pike. The 2012 assessment catch rate for rainbow trout was 4.83 fish/gill net. Rainbow trout ranged in length up to 12.4 inches. Although catches of larger trout are regularly reported by anglers, the assessment captured only fish from the 2012 stocking. Northern pike are present in low numbers, which is the result of previous efforts to remove the species and the prevention of pike migration from other connected waters. The 2012 assessment catch rate for northern pike was 2.5 fish/gill net, which is just within the normal range for this lake class. Northern pike in the 2012 sample ranged in length up to 24.5 inches, although larger pike are likely present in the population. Northern pike are voracious predators of trout, but their presence in small numbers is likely not detrimental and provides an opportunity for anglers to catch a large pike. Species such as bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass can be limited by insufficient habitat and food resources in two-story lakes such as Long, resulting in slow growth rates. The bluegill catch rate of 40.11 fish/trap net is within the statewide normal range for class 23 lakes. Bluegill up to 7.6 inches in length were captured in 2012. Even though bluegill are reproducing consistently in Long Lake, growth rates appear to be limiting the maximum size the fish are able to attain. Black crappie were captured in low numbers (0.22 fish/trap net) for this lake type. Largemouth bass were also captured in low numbers, with fish up to 17.2 inches in length present in the sample.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Green Sunfish, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, and Rainbow Trout 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 80 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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.