Long

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Long (NE) Lake, was conducted on July 15th, 2025, by Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 2 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at 3 stations. Five stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and depth. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including 5 species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) and 1 that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by Area Fisheries Sta. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured 11 species of fish, including zero that is intolerant of disturbance. Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Yellow Bullhead and Bluegill again comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a August 2025 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish- based (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Long Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Long Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River -Sartell watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Long Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Long Lake (DOW# 49-0015-00; Lake Class 29) is a small 126-acre lake located near Pine Center, Minnesota. There is a township owned public access on the east side of the lake, parking is limited, and ramp is narrow with sand and gravel. Much of the lake is developed except for the southwest side and north end which both are mostly marsh/wetland. The lake is abundant with wild rice that forms thick bands around most of the lake providing great wild rice harvest opportunity (with license and in season). Primary management species are Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike; secondary management species are Black Crappie and Bluegill. The bass population in the lake has stayed relatively stable over the years. The average size in the electrofishing survey in 2025 was 12.57 inches with the largest bass measuring at 17.76 inches. The Northern Pike abundance has generally been stable keeping below the long-range goal for the lake. Although, in the 2025 sample showed an average of smaller pike in the summer gill nets at 19.87 inches, with very few over 24 inches. High pike numbers, especially smaller sized pike, can be detrimental to the fish community and encouraging harvest of the smaller pike (less than 24 inches) could assist in the Walleye population. Spring assessments in 2025 targeted Bluegill and Black Crappie. There were 227 Bluegill caught in the trap nets and most of them were between 6 inches and 8.5 inches, with a few over 8.5 inches. Black Crappies had over 50% of the sample in 2025 over 9 inches, but the sample was very low only capturing 26 in the spring trap nets. Even though Black Crappie sample showed low catch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Hybrids were in abundance providing great opportunity for the next couple years. Walleye fingerling has been stocked by the Long Lake Homeowner's Association on an every other year basis. Despite previous years only showing a catch rate between 0.5/gill net-1.67/gill net, in 2025 the catch rate was 2.5 Walleye/gill net. The average size was 18.37 inches and ranged from 12.17 to 21.65 inches. Due to very minimal forage, and spawning habitat, sustaining this catch rate is unlikely, but anglers should take advantage of it in the next couple years. The next summer gill net survey is scheduled for 2037 for the Index of Biotic Integrity Assessment; at this time, we can assess the Walleye population again. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations. Fish harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of aquatic invasive species (AIS) can all adversely affect fish populations. Curly Leaf Pondweed has been identified in Long Lake as one AIS. AIS can be moved from infested to non infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Little Falls Area Fisheries office.

Long Lake (DOW# 49-0015-00; Lake Class 29) is a 126 acre lake located near Pine Center, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the east shore. Long Lake has 2.33 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 35 feet. Lake is in Lake Class 29; lakes in this class generally have a high amount of water less than 15 feet deep and are regular shaped. Long Lake is a multi-species lake that can offer a little something for every angler. Long Lake should be of most interest to panfish anglers. Good numbers of Bluegill were sampled with many over 7 inches and fish up to 10 inches. Also there were good numbers of Black Crappie with over half larger than 9 inches and fish up to 12 inches. While not many Northern Pike and Walleye were sampled biologists did see some larger fish. Largemouth Bass were similar to past surveys with low numbers, but most fish were good sized. Other fish species that anglers can expect to encounter include Black Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Fish harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of aquatic invasive species (AIS) can all adversely affect fish populations. Curly Leaf Pondweed has been identified in Long Lake. AIS can be moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Little Falls Area Fisheries office.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, 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 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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.