Long

Long Lake is a 285-acre lake with a maximum depth of 33 feet. The lake is located within the town of Long Lake, in central Hennepin County. Long is actively managed for Walleye and Northern Pike, with secondary emphasis on Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. Long also supports catchable populations of Black Crappie. The Walleye population is maintained through every other year fall fingerling (4-6 inches) stocking. Public water access is provided by the City of Long Lake on the west side of the lake off Wayzata Blvd. and Lake St. (up to 20 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A standard survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was completed on Long Lake during the week of 6/26/2023 to monitor water quality and fish populations. Water color was brown/green, with low water clarity, measured at 3.0 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen fell to zero parts per million (ppm) below 10 feet, meaning fish would be unable to use water depths greater than 10 feet during mid-summer. Moderate numbers of Walleye were sampled with gill nets (4/net), near the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. Average length of Walleye sampled in gill nets was 17.6 inches with the largest measured at 19.9 inches. Despite zero large (>20") Walleye measured, over 95% of Walleye caught were of quality size (>15"). Walleye growth in Long Lake was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro, indicated by an average length of 17.6 inches by age 4. A strong year class of Walleye (15-19") should provide excellent angling opportunity currently and into the future. Low to moderate numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (2.7/net), below the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 16 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets during the 2023 survey, with an average size of 26 inches and the largest measured at 35.9 inches. Low numbers of Northern Pike likely reduced competition among other individuals. This decrease in competition likely improved growth; with Northern Pike growing to 20.5 inches by age 3 and 26.3 inches by age 5. Although Northern Pike are not as plentiful in Long Lake compared to other metro lakes, their average and maximum size would rival some of the best opportunities found in the area. High numbers of Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring 2023 with nighttime boat electrofishing (107.3 fish/hour). There were 161 bass sampled, with an average length of 12.9 inches and the largest measured at 19.9 inches. The current population appears well balanced (a middle ground between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Despite high numbers, multiple fish were sampled greater than 18 inches, demonstrating the potential for these fish to reach desirable sizes. While small bass may be numerous, the opportunity to catch large (>18") fish in Long Lake remains high. High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (65.4/net) above the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. There were 589 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 5.9 inches, and the largest measured at 8.1 inches. Less than 1% of the total Bluegill sampled were greater than 8 inches. Although Bluegill are abundant, relatively few large fish can be found. Moderate to high numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (8.3/net) and trap nets (16.9/net) above the expected catch rate of similar metro lakes. The Black Crappie population remains stable, with little variation in historic catch rates over the previous 30 years. There were 202 Black Crappie sampled during the 2023 survey, with an average length of 7.5 inches, and the largest measured at 10.5 inches. Despite the high number of small crappie, the presence of fish greater than 10 inches is an encouraging sign for the fishery. Other fish species sampled in low abundance were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Eurasian Watermilfoil, a submersed invasive aquatic plant has been found in Long Lake and remains present. Eurasian watermilfoil can limit recreational activities on water bodies by forming mats on the water surface and alter aquatic ecosystems by displacing native plants. The most important action that you can take to limit the spread of milfoil and other aquatic invasive plants is to remove all vegetation from your watercraft before you move it from one body of water to another.

Long Lake is a 284-acre lake in Hennepin County, in the City of Long Lake. With a maximum depth of 33 feet, Long Lake supports a diverse fish community and Walleye fingerlings are planned for stocking every other year. There is a city-owned public boat launch on the lake's western shore, near the swimming beach. In 2018, a Standard Survey was conducted on Long Lake to monitor the populations of gamefish. In 2018, a moderately abundant population of Walleye was observed, with all of the sampled fish exceeding 16 inches. Fish ranged in size from 16.3 to 22.4 inches and the average size of Walleye was 18.8 inches and 2.33 pounds. Unlike many lakes in the West Metro area, Northern Pike were sampled in comparatively low abundance in Long Lake. Average size was 28.5 inches and 5.2 pounds, and the largest fish measured 34.3 inches. In 2018, a new regulation for Northern Pike took effect. As part of the North-Central management zone, anglers are allowed to harvest up to ten Northern Pike smaller than 22 inches in Long, and one over 26 inches, while respecting a 22 to 26 inch protected slot. Due to the larger size of Long Lake pike, anglers won't have a great opportunity for harvesting ten fish; however, 50% of the sampled fish exceeded 26 inches, so catching larger fish is possible. Although not highly abundant, many good-sized Bluegill were present during the survey. Half of the sampled fish exceeded 7 inches. Black Crappie were abundant in 2018, but the fish were modestly sized. Only 12% of all fish sampled exceeded 9 inches, while 80% were between 7.5 and 9.0 inches. Largemouth Bass are also present in Long Lake, though targeted sampling to evaluate the population was not conducted in 2018.

Long is a productive, 285-acre lake located in the City of Long Lake in Hennepin County. There is a city-owned public boat access and beach on the west shore of the lake. Maximum depth is 33 ft and water clarity in early July was 2.2 ft. At that time in early July, a temperature-oxygen profile indicated the lake was strongly stratified with poor (<2 ppm) dissolved oxygen below 10 feet. A population assessment consisting of summer gill nets and fall trap nets was conducted in 2013 to characterize the game fish community. Walleye stocking in Long Lake began in 1989 when fry were introduced. Fry stocking maintained a modest Walleye fishery from then through the 1990's. In 2001, a switch was made to larger fall-stocked fingerling Walleye. Varying fingerlings rates and one fry stocking took place in 2003, 2005, and 2007, when the lake was part of a MN DNR Fisheries Research study. The current management plan (effective 2009) calls for 262 lbs of Walleye fingerlings to be stocked in odd-numbered years. Summer gill nets sampled 20 Walleye-3.3/net. Relative abundance was nearly average (2.8/net) compared to similar lakes statewide. Walleye size structure was balanced, consisting of two distinct size groups of sub-20-inch fish, either 11-13 inches (55 percent of total) or 18-20 inches (45 percent of total). These groups corresponded to the stocked 2011 (age 2) and 2009 (age 4) year classes, with one fish from the 2007 year class (age 6). Walleye averaged 14.6 inches and 1.2 lbs. Forty Walleye were sampled in fall trap nets- 4.4/net. Sampled-fish sizes were 13.2-21.6 inches and averaged 15.5 inches and 1.3 lbs. Size structure didn't appear as balanced as the gill nets, likely because 70 percent of the fish were between 13 and 15 inches. Five fish over 20 inches were sampled as well. These larger fish were not observed in the gill nets. Growth of Walleye was slightly slower than the average compared to other similar lakes in the West Metro Management Area. Walleye averaged 15.1 inches by age 4. Long Lake is eutrophic, and, at times, portions of the water column may suffer from lack of oxygen. High summer water temperature and subsequent low dissolved oxygen may push the limits for optimal growth and survival of Walleye. Northern Pike were moderately abundant. At 4.0/gill net, catch was near average (3.8/net) when compared to other similar lakes. Pike abundance was higher than that of the previous assessment (1.7/net in 2008), but lower than the mean (5.7/net) over the past 4 assessments dating back to 2001. The size structure was skewed toward larger individuals. Sixty-three percent of the Northern Pike were relatively evenly distributed between 26.0 and 31.0 inches. They ranged from 21.0 - 35.4 inches, averaging 27.6 inches and 4.9 lbs. The weight of an average pike was heavier than the 75th percentile value (3.5 lbs) when compared to other similar lakes. Ages ranged from 3 to 7. Pike grew faster than other lakes in the West Metro Area, reaching 27.6 inches by age 5. Abundance of Bluegill in fall trap nets was moderately high (45.4/net), with size structure skewed toward larger fish. Forty-two percent were between 7.0 and 7.5 inches. Bluegill ranged from 3.1 - 8.0 inches, averaging 6.2 inches and 0.2 lbs. Bluegill mean weight was moderately high when compared to other similar lakes. Catch rates have varied over the previous 4 assessments; however, mean weight has remained relatively high (mean = 0.25 lb). Age of Bluegill in the sample ranged from 1 to 5. Growth was fast compared to other similar lakes. Bluegill were 7.0 inches by age 3. Black Crappie were abundant (16.7/gill net) but size structure was small. Gillnet catch was the highest observed in the previous 4 assessments dating to 2001. Catch during these assessments averaged 6.7/net. In the 2013 assessment, lengths ranged from 4.1 - 8.5 inches, with 45 percent between 7.5 and 8.5 inches. Crappie averaged 6.5 inches and 0.2 lbs. Growth was fast compared to other similar, as fish averaged 8.1 inches by age 3. Fall trap nets collected fewer Black Crappie, but the size structure was larger. Forty-six crappie were sampled in the trap nets (5.1/net); of these, 85 percent were between 8.5 and 9.5 inches. These fall-sampled fish ranged from 5.6 to 9.5 inches and averaged 8.4 inches. Yellow Perch abundance (13.2/gill net) was typical of lakes of this type. From 2001-2008, (past 4 assessments), relative abundance has ranged from 1.8-24.8/net, averaging 10.0/net. In 2013, all perch sampled were between 5.8 and 7.7 inches. The average fish was 6.6 inches and 0.1 lbs. All Yellow Perch were from the 2010 year class (age 3). Growth was fast compared to other similar lakes. Other species sampled during the assessment were Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead. Passive sampling gear, such as trap and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting Largemouth Bass, so the numbers from the 2013 assessment are not necessarily representative of the entire population. Electrofishing is the typical method for Largemouth Bass assessments but was not conducted. A fish kill on this lake, reported by several people, occurred on or near August 14, 2011. Given the description, timing, lake conditions, and a similar occurrence at another local lake, the small-scale die-off of mostly Black Crappie and Bluegill appeared to stem from thermal stress-a combination of low oxygen and increased bacterial levels when fishes' physiological demands run high. No broad, long-lasting depletion of the overall fish community was apparent from this assessment's results, though it could reflect conditions where coolwater fish species might not thrive.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, and Hybrid Sunfish 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 33 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2023.

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