Long

Long Lake is located five miles north of Talmoon, MN in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. Long Lake is in ecological lake class 28. Other area lakes in this class include Arrowhead, Batson and Little Too Much Lakes. There is a concrete ramp boat access at the southeast end of the lake. Last revised in 2008, the fisheries lake management plan (LMP) lists Northern Pike as the primary management species and Black Crappie and Bluegill as secondary management species. Long Lake is managed without stocking or special regulations. A standard lake survey was conducted in late July 2024 to update information on the fishery. The Northern Pike population has typically had moderate numbers and size structure. Northern Pike were captured a typical rate for lakes similar to Long and met the management goal. Size structure was modest with pike ranging from 17.6 to 34.3 inches with an average length of 22.1 inches. Fifteen percent of the sample exceeded 28 inches. Size structure goals for Northern Pike were not met; however memorable-sized (>34 inches) pike were observed. Age and growth analysis indicated consistent natural reproduction and average growth. Ages 2 through 8 were identified with pike averaging 24.8 inches at age 5. Gill-net catches for Tullibee have been high compared to similar lakes. The 2024 catch rate remained above the expected range for similar lakes but typical for Long. Sampled fish ranged from 7.2 to 12.0 inches with an average length of 9.9 inches. Tullibee are likely an important prey source for larger Northern Pike in Long Lake. As observed in past surveys, Black Crappie were present in moderate numbers and sizes. Black Crappie trap-net catch was typical for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Size structure was modest; sampled fish ranged from 6.6 to 10.2 inches with an average length of 8.7 inches. Ages 2 through 6 were identified with average growth. Black Crappie averaged 9.2 inches after 5 years of growth. Long Lake Bluegill have historically been moderate in numbers with poor size structure. The trap-net catch was average for the lake and similar lakes. Size structure was poor with Bluegill ranging from 3.2 to 7.8 inches with an average length of 5.0 inches. Only 17% of the sample exceeded six inches. Ages 2 through 9 were represented in the sample and growth was similar to the lake class average. Bluegill averaged 6.2 inches after 6 years of growth. The 2024 trap-net catch for Largemouth Bass was slightly above the expected range and higher than any previous surveys. Sampled Largemouth Bass were small, ranging from 4.7 to 10.2 inches. Net catches for Yellow Perch have historically been very low. No perch were captured in gill nets and only five were captured in the trap nets. This catch was similar to previous surveys. Other species sampled included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass and Yellow Bullhead.

Long Lake is located 5 miles north of Talmoon, MN in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. The lake has a surface area of 93 acres and a maximum depth of 72 feet. Long Lake is in ecological lake class #28. Other area lakes in this class include Arrowhead, Batson and Little Too Much Lakes. There is a concrete ramp boat access at the southeast corner of the lake. The northern pike gill-net catch rate in the 2007 assessment was 5.8/net. This is similar to the lake class average (5.0/net) and down slightly from the previous assessment. Northern pike size structure was good. Sampled pike ranged from 16.5 to 34.4 inches, with an average length of 24.1 inches. Ages 2-9 were represented in the sample and mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the statewide average for all ages. The gill-net catch rate for tullibee remained well above the normal range at 18.8/net. Sampled fish ranged from 6.5 to 13.8 inches, with an average length of 9.6 inches. Tullibee are likely an important prey source for the large northern pike in Long Lake. Net catches for yellow perch have historically been very low. No perch were captured in gill nets in the most recent assessment and only four were captured in the trap nets for a catch rate of 0.4/net. This catch rate is below the lake class normal range but similar to previous assessments. The trap-net catch rate for bluegill in 2007 was relatively high at 27.0/net. This is slightly above the lake class average and the highest catch recorded for Long Lake. Size structure was poor; sampled bluegill ranged from 2.9 to 8.0 inches, with an average length of 5.8 inches. Ages 2-7 were represented in the sample and mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the lake class average for all ages. Black crappie were sampled at 2.3/trap net, above the lake class average but down from the two previous assessments. Size structure was modest; sampled crappie ranged from 5.8 to 11.6 inches, with an average length of 8.7 inches. Mean back-calculated length at age was similar to the lake class average for all ages. Largemouth bass were sampled at 1.7/trap net in 2007. This catch rate is slightly above the lake class normal range and higher than the two previous assessments. Sampled bass ranged from 4.2 to 12.8 inches with an average length of 8.4 inches. Other species sampled included hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker.

CISCO AND NORTHERN PIKE POPULATION ARE WELL ABOVE STATE AND LOCAL MEDIANS. ALL OTHER FISH NUMBERS SEEM TO BE WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS FOR THIS TYPE OF LAKE.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Rock Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Bluegill 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 72 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2024.

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.