Long

Long Lake is a relatively small, deep lake with limited shallow water habitat located east of Goodland, MN. The lake has one public access and limited shoreline development. The 2005 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike were the primary species of management with Black Crappie as the secondary species. The LMP goals were to maintain Bluegill size structure with 60 and 10% of the sample longer than 6 and 8 inches; maintain a Northern Pike gill-net catch of 2.0/net with 30-inch fish present. Due to other area priorities and COVID-19 fish sampling guidelines, night electrofishing for bass was not conducted in 2020. Bluegill catch rates have ranged from a low of 13.1 fish/trap net in this survey to a high of 41.8 fish/trap net in 1977. Though the 2020 catch was low, it was within the range observed from lakes with similar habitat. The sample fish ranged from 2.9 to 8.5 inches and averaged 5.1 inches. Seven age classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 2 to 9 represented. Growth was comparable to similar lakes. Six year-old fish averaged 6.8 inches. The LMP size structure goals were not achieved since only 27 and 2% of the sample exceeded 6 and 8 inches. The poor size structure likely discourages anglers from targeting Bluegill. Northern Pike gill-net catches declined from a high of 4.0 fish/net in 1977 to a low of 1.2 fish/net in 1983, just six years later. The catch of 3.5/net in 2020 was below average for the lakes with similar habitat but exceeded the LMP goal of 2.0/net. Lower catches are often associated with better size structure and growth because there is less competition for food. The sampled fish ranged from 21.8 to 31.8 inches and averaged 26.7 inches. The LMP size structure goal was achieved because four fish exceeded 30 inches. Seven year-classes were estimated from cliethra (bony structure near the gill-plate) and scales ranging from age 1 to 10. Pike averaged 25.3 inches by age 4; which was above the statewide average of 23.6. The population may provide some quality angling opportunities but due to the lower numbers could be vulnerable to overharvest. Northern Pike populations with relatively good size structure and growth are often associated with prey species like Cisco, White Suckers, and Yellow Perch. Interestingly, Cisco have never been sampled in Long Lake, and only one White Sucker and very few perch were sampled in 2020. An examination of stomach contents from the sampled pike did not provided minimal information as to what pike may be eating. It appears that our methods are not effectively sampling the prey of pike in Long Lake. Black Crappie catches were somewhat low in 2020; the gill-net and the trap-net catches were 1.2 and 0.5 fish/net. The fish sampled ranged from 4.6 to 10.9 inches and averaged 8.3 inches. Six age-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 3 to 8 represented. Growth was slow compared to lakes with similar habitat. Other species observed during the survey included Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Rock Bass.

Long Lake is a small lake located in southeastern Itasca County, east of Goodland, MN. The lake has a maximum depth of 84 ft and a littoral area of 44 acres. There is a county owned access on the southeast shore. The lake has limited littoral area and phosphorous levels less than 0.01 ppm, indicating low fertility. Lakes like Long Lake which have low fertility and are relatively deep and clear generally have lower catch rates of gamefish compared to shallower more fertile lakes.Northern pike gill-net catch was 1.8/net, which was lower than the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rate in past assessments have also been low, varying from 1.2 to 4.0/gill net. Although abundance was low, size structure was good with fish up to 38 inches sampled. Growth was very fast with fish averaging 30 inches by age four, compared to 21 inches by age four for the statewide average. Fast growth rates indicate that Long Lake has the ability to produce some very large northern pike. Anglers and spearers can help to improve the size structure of northern pike by releasing or not harvesting fish between 24 to 36 inches. Few lakes in Itasca County have growth rates this fast, and releasing the medium-sized fish allows them to reach their trophy potential.Bluegill trap net catch rate was 41.2/net, which was towards the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rate in past assessments have varied from 19.3 to 41.8/trap net. Size structure was moderate with a good number of fish between 6 to 7 inches, but few fish exceeding 8 inches. Growth was similar to the lake class average with fish averaging 6 inches by age six.Black crappie trap-net catch was 2.1/net, which was also towards the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rate in past assessments has varied from 0.6 to 4.5/trap net. Size structure was good with fish up to 11 inches sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 9 inches at age five. Largemouth bass were sampled by electrofishing on 6/16/2004. Catch rate was 136/hour, indicating an abundant population. Size structure was moderate with many smaller fish under 12 inches and a moderate number between 12 to 15 inches. Growth was slower than the statewide average, but still within 15% of the average. Largemouth bass averaged 14 inches by age seven.Yellow perch catch rate was 4.3/gill net, which was within the expected range for similar lakes. Catch rate in past assessments varied from 2.8 to 28/net. Size structure was moderate with a few up to 9 inches present. Growth was slower than the statewide average with fish averaging 7 inches by age six. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, white sucker, and yellow bullhead.

Long Lake together with 34 other lakes in this management area, with similar ecological characteristics, are grouped into lake class #23. These lakes are small to medium size with little littoral area, deep basins, very clear moderately hard water, and many with a shoal area of sand and marl with abundant Chara growth. Examples of these types of lakes are Bello, Thistledew, Hatch, and O'Reilly Lakes. They tend to be low in productivity.Most species of fish, including largemouth bass and northern pike are below the lake class medians and the population structures have remained relatively stable since the initial survey in 1977. Exceptions to this is the black crappie population when catch rates (CPUE's) in the 1977 survey were above the third quartile levels for this lake class. Now they have dropped closer to the median in numbers, while size has historically remained relatively small. Bluegill abundance was much higher in the 1977 survey, with fair size-distribution. Now, the trap net CPUE has fallen and the mean size is near 4.5 inches with slow growth rates. The yellow perch population also had CPUE's above the third quartile in past netting assessments, while at the present time, these CPUE's have dropped well below the median.Walleye were first introduced in 1984 with 972 fingerlings. Since that time, fry were stocked in 1986 and 1988. The first walleye sampled was in this assessment with one individual captured. This fish was aged at year class VIII, and correlates to the fingerling stocking done in 1984. There is no evidence that the two fry stockings were successful. The forage base for a modest walleye population appears to be very low and in the four shoreline seine hauls made in this assessment, only two adult perch were captured and no young-of-year. With the lack of forage, spawning habitat, poor success of walleye fry introduction, and the characteristics of this type of lake, continuing the stocking of walleye fry may not be desirable.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Long. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Long has a maximum depth of 84 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2020.

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.