South Long

South Long is a 1,309 acre lake 9 miles southeast of the city of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Walleye is the primary management species, with the lake being stocked every other year (odd years) with 922 pounds of fingerlings. When surplus Walleye fry are available, up to 600,000 may be stocked; this last occurred in 2025. Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass are other species managed on this lake. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing was conducted in 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. The Walleye numbers (4.8 per net) were similar to the previous survey, with fish ranging from 7.8 to 26.4 inches. A big year class from 2022, a non-stocking year, is currently providing fish just shy of 15 inches. Northern Pike numbers (5.3 per net) were down from previous surveys, but still average for this type of lake. With the largest Pike measuring 29.6 inches, anglers probably won't be seeking trophy fish on South Long. About 40% of the fish were within the 22 to 26 inch protected slot, leaving a decent percentage of fish outside of the slot that are available for harvest. The Largemouth Bass population still looks healthy, even with night electrofishing numbers (61.1 fish per hour) down from the last survey. A broad range of sizes were captured, with fish measuring 3.0 to 18.1 inches. With 45% of the fish measuring over 14 inches, anglers should be able to catch some decent Bass on South Long. Panfish showed mixed results. Black Crappie numbers were below average, but all the fish caught were over 8 inches, with fish up to 11.7 inches captured. Bluegill numbers were average at 28.6 per net, but only 16% of the fish caught in the survey were over 7 inches, with 8.5 inches being the largest. Other fish species sampled included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

South Long is a 1,309 acre lake located seven miles southeast of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. The maximum depth is 47' and 35% of the lake is 15' or less. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. A total of 18 sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lake. Each station was sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey was conducted on August 28th-29th, 2024, by Brainerd Area Fisheries staff. A total of 18 stations were sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' seine was used at 11 stations and the 15' seine was used at 2 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other sampling sites. Nearshore sampling captured 24 species of fish including nine species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mottled Sculpin, Pugnose Shiner, and Rock Bass) and one that are tolerant of disturbance (Green Sunfish). This nearshore data will be combined with a future trap net and gill net 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 by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.

South Long is a 1,309 acre lake located seven miles southeast of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. The lake reaches depths of 47', with 35% of the lake 15' deep or less. Emergent vegetation such as bulrush and water lilies surround much of the lake. Protection of aquatic vegetation, especially emergent vegetation, is important for maintaining good water quality. Aquatic vegetation is critical for fish spawning areas as well as providing habitat for fish and other aquatic life. Walleye are stocked as fingerlings every other year. In addition, 600,000 surplus walleye fry (newly hatched) from the Brainerd DNR hatchery were stocked in 2019. The walleye gill net catch was the lowest to date in 2022 at 2.5/net. Average length was 16.1, with 77% at least 12" long. There does seem to be a good crop of young walleyes present as 16% of the fish caught were under 8", a size not frequently caught in gill nets. Northern pike were caught in low numbers as well at 2.6/gill net. Average size was 24.3" with 53% of the fish in the 22-26" protected slot and 8% over 26". Black crappies were sampled in average numbers (0.7/gill net) in 2022. Average length was 8.8" and 50% were at least 8.0" in length. The invasive species faucet snails and zebra mussels were both discovered to be in South Long in 2021. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers, as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

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

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

South Long has a maximum depth of 47 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in South Long is from 2025.

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