Little Long

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Little Long Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 42.6 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 18.1 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 32.3 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 14.2 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 9.1 degrees C (48.4 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2015, 2022, 2024 also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 13.1 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress. Little Long has been surveyed with fisheries gear fairly consistently since 1975, and only one Cisco has been caught since 1994 which coincides with a substantial increase in Walleye catches in survey nets.

Little Long Lake is a 322 acre lake located two miles northwest of Ely. It is accessed by a concrete ramp off the Echo Trail. The lake has a maximum depth of 45 feet and had clear water at the time of this survey. On August 5, 2022 the lake was thermally stratified with a surface temperature of 72 F and a bottom temperature of 48 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish throughout the water column. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly bedrock, gravel, and rubble. Aquatic vegetation is sparse due to a rusty crayfish infestation. Little Long is currently stocked every other year with walleye fingerlings. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined was 29.7 fish/net which was average compared to past surveys on the lake. Yield was 85.5 lbs/net which was the highest on record for the lake. Fish species sampled were walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, rock bass, rainbow smelt, white sucker, and green sunfish. Trap nets caught fish at an overall rate of 54.3 fish/net which was below average compared to past surveys on Little Long. Yield was 9.4 lbs/net which was very close to the lake's historic average. The catch was dominated by bluegill with additional species sampled that weren't also caught in gill nets including black crappie, golden shiner, largemouth bass, and yellow perch. The small mesh gill nets sampled rainbow smelt, northern pike, white sucker, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. Sixty walleye were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 20.0 fish/net, which was very good compared to other similar lakes and the highest catch rate on record for the lake. It also ranked third out of 198 surveys of walleye lakes in the area. Walleye lengths ranged from 7 to just over 28 inches with an average of 20 inches. Mean weight was an impressive 3.5 pounds which was very good compared to other similar lakes. Growth was excellent with the average walleye reaching 16 inches long at three years old. Ages ranged from 1 to 19 years with the 2019 year class representing 56% of the total catch. When stocked years were compared against non-stocked years, 52 of the 56 aged fish (93%) came from a year class where stocking occurred. The northern pike gillnet catch was 2.0 fish/net which was lower than average compared to past surveys on the lake. Lengths ranged from 16 to just over 32 inches with an average of 22.5 inches. Both the average and max lengths were on par with previous surveys. Twelve smallmouth bass were sampled in the gill nets for a catch rate of 4.0 fish/net which was very good compared to other similar lakes and better than average when compared to past surveys on Little Long. The average weight was nearly two pounds which was very good compared to other similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 10 to 19 inches with an average of nearly 15 inches. Nine additional smallmouth were sampled in trap nets and scales were taken from those fish to account for growth information. Growth was slightly below average compared other smallie populations in the area. On average it took four years for a fish to reach 8 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 17 years. Ten black crappie were sampled in trap nets for a catch rate of 1.1 fish/net. This was below average compared to other similar lakes but right at the average compared to past surveys on Little Long. Lengths ranged from 5 to 11 inches with an average of just over 8 inches. The bluegill trapnet catch was 43.6 fish/net which was well above average compared to other similar lakes, but below average for Little Long Lake. Sizes ranged from 4 to 8 inches with an average of just over 5 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 9 years with strong representation (over 70% of the total catch) coming from the 2019 year class. It took the average bluegill four years to reach 5 inches which was slightly better than average compared to other bluegill populations in the area. Rainbow smelt are a non-native invasive fish that were first caught in small mesh nets in 1989. In the 2022 survey, 999 smelt were caught for a catch rate of 249.8 fish/net. Previous surveys of smelt catches were highly variable ranging from 1.0 fish/net in 1989 and 1.3 fish/net in 2015 to what is now the new high mark in 2022. Sizes have remained relatively constant through time with a 2022 average length of 5 inches. Rusty crayfish have been in Little Long since at least 1994. Catch rates have generally increased in the gill nets from the low of 1.5 fish/net in 1994 to 57.0 fish/net in 2022.

Little Long Lake is located approximately 4 miles NW of Ely. The surrounding landscape is rugged with abundant red and white pines along with white cedar growing near the shores of this clear water lake. Little Long is moderately developed with homes and seasonal cabins. A small resort is located at the NE end and a summer church camp on the SW end. There is a concrete planked boat ramp and nearby fishing pier off the Echo Trail (CR 116) for public access. Walleye, bluegill, smallmouth bass and rock bass were sampled in 2015 at above average numbers. Northern pike was sampled in record low numbers for this lake. Rusty crayfish and northern clearwater crayfish were also sampled in 2015. Walleye abundance in 2015 was much higher than past surveys and well above average compared to similar area lakes. The average walleye sampled was 19.6 inches long (3.4 lbs) and about 5 years old. Fifty-five percent of the walleye sampled were 20 inches or larger and the largest walleye sampled was 27.2 inches long. Walleye fingerlings are stocked in odd numbered years and in 2015 all walleye aged were from years that were stocked. Smelt, a non-native species, were first sampled in surveys in 1987 and abundance was at 215/small mesh net in 2010. Abundance was down significantly in 2015. Smelt are the primary forage for the abundant walleye population, however they negatively impact walleye reproduction. Bluegill abundance was near average for the lake but high compared to other area lakes. Most bluegill were less than 8 inches long. Smallmouth bass numbers were above average in every gear type in which they were sampled. The electrofishing catch rate was high with many smaller bass. Only 17% of the smallmouth sampled by electrofishing were 12 inches or longer although the largest was just over 20 inches. Smallmouth bass comprised ninety-five percent of the sample from electrofishing. Largemouth bass made up the other five percent. The average largemouth was 13 inches long. Rock bass numbers were above average for Little Long and similar area lakes. The average rock bass sampled was 6 inches long. Low numbers of black crappie were also sampled in 2015.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Black Crappie 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 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for Little Long in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.