Long

Long Lake is a eutrophic, 172-acre water body in Ramsey County assigned to lake class 30. It is comprised of two sub-basins lying north and south of each other with Rice Creek flowing through the northern basin. Rice Creek continues on to connect with the Mississippi River which results in some fish species in Long Lake that are normally associated with river systems. Walleye are the primary management species in the lake and they are stocked annually at a rate of 1,000 fry per littoral acre. The lake was sampled using gill nets and trap nets in August 2021. The previous survey was conducted in 2014. No Walleye were sampled by gill nets in this survey. There has not been a notable catch of Walleye in this lake since 1998. Two Walleye were sampled in trap nets. These fish were 22.8 and 24.9 inches long. They were not aged as they were captured alive and released. It is unlikely however that they came from any recent fry stockings. Dissolved oxygen levels were depleted at a depth of 15 feet where they were tested in the deepest part of the lake. While this is not abnormally shallow, the steep drop off near shore around the majority of the lake requires gill nets to be set near and parallel to shore. In these situations it is not unusual for trap nets to capture more Walleye than gill nets however, with a robust population we would still expect to see more fish overall. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 2.2 fish per gill net. This is lower than average for similar lakes but typical relative to historical surveys. Fish size was relatively large with a mean length of 24.5 inches and a maximum size of 30 inches. Channel Catfish were sampled by gill nets at a rate of 2 fish per net. This is the highest catch in the history of the lake and likely indicates a targetable population for anglers. Fish were of a desirable size ranging from 17.3 to 20.5 inches in length. Black Crappie were sampled at a lower than average rate by trap nets of 2.2 fish per net but a higher than average rate in gill nets of 8.4 fish per net. Size was similar in both gears with a mean length of 7.7 inches in the larger gill net sample. The largest fish sampled was 8.9 inches long. Trap nets sampled Bluegills at a rate of 7.1 fish per net. This is low relative to similar lakes but only one survey in the lakes history has exceeded the average of similar lakes. Fish size was also low with a mean length of only 4.6 inches and a maximum of 7.8 inches. Other fish species sampled included: Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Buffalo, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Long Lake contains a variety of fish species that have entered the Rice Creek watershed from the Mississippi River over time. The most abundant species captured during this assessment were Bluegills and Black Bullheads. No Walleyes were captured during this assessment. The recent stocking rate of 1,000 Walleye fry/littoral acre is being increased to 2,000 fish/littoral acre (220,000 fry) in an attempt to establish a population. Winter rescue Northern Pike have also been stocked as part of past management, but none since 2002. Northern Pike were caught at the lowest abundance in the history of surveys on this lake. The one NOP captured was 20.2 inches in length. No Walleyes were captured during this assessment. Bluegills were captured at the third highest abundance ever on this lake. Fifty-six percent of Bluegills captured were 7 inches or larger. Black Crappie were sampled at the lowest rate of abundance compared to past surveys. Sixty-eight percent of the Black Crappie captured measured 8 inches or larger. Other species captured during this assessment were one Largemouth Bass (14.4 inches), one Channel Catfish (22.9 inches), Yellow Perch, Black Bullheads, Common Carp, Bowfin and White Suckers.

Long Lake contains a variety of fish species that have entered the Rice Creek watershed from the Mississippi River over time. The most abundant species captured during this assessment were black bullheads and carp. Current fish management consists of the annual stocking of walleye fry at a rate of 1,000-fish/littoral acre (110,000 fry). Winter rescue northern pike have also been stocked as part of past management, but none since 2002. Northern pike were sampled below median levels for abundance but above median levels for size. One-third of the pike captured measured 26.0 inches in length or larger. Walleyes and yellow perch were captured during this assessment, but in very low numbers. Bluegill were sampled in the lowest abundance since 1993 and only 3 percent of the fish captured measured 7.0 inches or larger. Black crappie were sampled below median levels for abundance, but above median levels for average weight. Over 20 percent of the black crappies captured measured 8.0 inches or larger.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed 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 30 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2021.

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