Little Long

Little Long is a 69-acre (53 littoral acres) lake with a maximum depth of 76 feet. Little Long is located in the central portion of Minnetrista, in western Hennepin County. Little Long is primarily known for Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie. Little Long is also known for Its exceptional water quality, making it a popular recreational destination. Public water access is provided by DNR Parks and Trails on the northeast side of the lake off of Game Farm Road (up to 7 vehicle/trailer parking spaces). A Standard Survey (9 trap nets/6 gill nets) was completed on Little Long Lake during the week of 7/5/2022 to assess the fishery. Little Long Lake had excellent water clarity, measured at 16 feet during the time of this survey. Dissolved oxygen was zero parts per million (ppm) below 52 feet during the survey period. Eurasian Watermilfoil has been found in Little Long Lake and remains present. Moderate numbers of Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets (6.5/net). There were 39 Northern Pike sampled in gill nets, the highest catch in the previous four surveys. During the 2022 survey, gill netted Northern Pike averaged 21.3 inches, with the largest measured 39.8 inches. Catch and size data describe a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Northern Pike growth was moderate compared to similar lakes across the metro, with an average length of 17.0 inches by age 3. Recruitment was consistent with 6 consecutive year classes present during sampling and age analysis. Although the average size of Northern Pike was typical for a metro lake, the presence of a single fish greater than 39 inches is a rare occurrence and a very encouraging sign for the fishery. Largemouth Bass are present in Little Long Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2022 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 2 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 14.0 inches and the largest measured at 14.4 inches. Future surveys will include targeted spring boat-electrofishing component. Moderate numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (23.8/net). There were 214 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2022 survey, with an average length of 5.7 inches and the largest measured at 7.8 inches. Bluegill growth was slow with an average length of 4.5 inches by age 4 and 6.1 inches by age 6. Although average numbers of Bluegill are present in Little Long Lake, slow growth and small sizes limit angling potential. Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

Little Long Lake is a deep, cool, clear lake located in Hennepin County. This type of lake (Lake Class 32) is rare within the metropolitan area of Minneapolis, and therefore offers unique fishing opportunities, among them "two-story" management that includes trout. Rainbow trout management via stocking yearlings, absent from 2009-2012, has resumed to provide a put-and-take winter fishery. A public boat launch is located on the northeast shore of the lake. Motors with more than 10 horsepower may not be used. In 2012, Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners approved a purchase agreement for 127 acres of undeveloped land adjacent to the lake. The land was once the site of Camp Kingswood, owned by the Minnesota United Methodist Church. Three Rivers Park District will maintain the land for public use, focusing on basic stewardship and resource management. During the summer population assessment, no rainbow trout were sampled. This is not surprising, since no stocking occurred after spring 2009. Stocking resumed after this assessment, in time to provide fish for the 2013 winter trout season. Typically, in Little Long Lake, as with the Metro's other trout lakes, anglers catch nearly all the stocked trout soon after season openings. A few survivors might remain for later open-water trout seasons, which open in mid-May. Northern pike were caught at a below-average value, and the fish were of average size. Sampled northerns ranged from 16.4 to 27.4 inches in length, with 20.9 inches as the average. The average northern weighed a little over 2 pounds. Bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish were caught at below average rates, and the fish were of average size. Mean weight for bluegill and pumpkinseed was 0.15 lbs and 0.21 lbs, respectively. About 58% of sampled bluegill and 42% of sampled pumpkinseeds were greater than 6 inches. Black crappie, hybrids of the sunfish species, largemouth bass, bowfin (dogfish), and yellow bullhead were all present in low numbers. The bullhead were found to be well above average in weight.

Little Long Lake is a deep, cool, clear lake located in Hennepin County. This type of lake (lake class 32) is rare within the metropolitan area of Minneapolis, and therefore provides a unique fishing opportunity for anglers. The DNR has been stocking rainbow trout one to two times annually since 1987. The total number of rainbow trout stocked per year is as follows (stocked as yearlings unless noted): 1987: 333 (ADL) 1988: 1553 1989: 1200 (ADL) 1989: 1300 1990: 1400 1991: 1509 1992: 1500 1993: 2030 1994: 1999 1995: 1500 1995: 20 (ADL) 1996: 1504 1997: 1560 1998: 1338 1999: 1500 2000: 1498 2001: 1500 2002: 1500 2003: 1500 2004: 1500 2005: 1204 2006: 1500 Brown trout (60 ADL) and brook trout (10 ADL) were also stocked into Little Long Lake in 1995. During the survey in 2006, only one rainbow trout was sampled. The rainbow was 12.24 inches in length, and was found to be age-3. Of the three surveys completed in years where trout were stocked into Little Long Lake (1990, 1995, 2000), only 7 total rainbow trout were sampled, with none sampled in 1990. This is to be expected because Little Long Lake, as is with the metros other trout lakes, is a put-and-take fishery, where anglers catch nearly all the stocked trout in between stockings. Northern pike were sampled at below average rates, but with weights that were well above average for a lake like Little Long Lake. They ranged in length from 13.0-29.50 inches, with 64% over 20.0 inches. While the sampling gears used during this survey dont target largemouth bass, three were caught ranging from 6.0-12.5 inches in length and averaging about 0.4 lbs/ fish. Bluegill, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish and black crappie were all present in low numbers, along with yellow bullheads (although they were found to be at well above average weights). Bowfin (dogfish) were also sampled, at average numbers and weights.

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

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

Little Long has a maximum depth of 76 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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