Long

A standard survey was conducted on Long Lake during the summer of 2016 to update information about fish populations. Walleye and Black Crappie are the primary management species for Long Lake. Walleye are self-sustaining and have not been stocked into Long Lake since 1991. Walleye abundance of 1.2 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye average length was large at 20.1 inches. Recruitment is inconsistent with only five year-classes present from 1995 through 2014. Black Crappie population density was above average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Black Crappie average length was 5.7 inches but less than 12% exceeded eight inches. Black Crappie angling should improve in subsequent years with a strong 2015 year-class evident. Bluegill population density was average compared to other similar Minnesota lakes. Bluegill averaged 6.3 inches with some quality fish available up to 8.4 inches. Northern Pike abundance of 3.1 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average length was small at 17.8 inches but one large specimen exceeding 37 inches was captured in the trapnets.

Long is a 395-acre lake with 100% littoral area and a maximum depth of 14 feet. The lake is located seven miles east of Central Lakes off Highway #108. The lake has a County administered, gravel, back-in access located off County Road #108 on the northwest side. Long Lake was actively managed with stocking of walleye, alternating between fry and fingerlings, from 1961 through 1991. Stocking of walleye was discontinued after 1991 due to adequate natural reproduction and recruitment. Long Lake was sampled in 2008 to help evaluate the discontinuation of walleye stocking and update information on the fish population. Walleye abundance of 4.6 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Walleye gillnet catch rates from seven investigations since 1959 have ranged from 0.5 to 7.0 per lift. Mean size of 16.8 inches for walleye sampled in 2008 was considered large and rate of growth was average. Age analysis revealed strong 2004 and 2005 year-classes and six year-classes represented from 1999 through 2005. Largemouth bass were sampled for the first time in Long Lake during shoreline seining conducted in 1995. During the 2008 investigation, local residents reported catching bass on a regular basis. An initial electrofishing assessment was conducted during the spring of 2008. Largemouth abundance of 1.8 per hour of electrofishing was considered low compared to other Duluth Area lakes. The individual bass was 8.2 inches. Two additional largemouth bass were documented during gillnet sampling in the summer of 2008. Northern pike abundance of 2.3 per gillnet lift was below average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 23.1 inches was large and growth was average compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Age analysis revealed relatively strong 2004 and 2005 year-classes and no fish older than age five. Yellow perch abundance of 5.8 per gillnet lift was average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size for yellow perch of 6.5 inches was small. Black crappie abundance of 3.4 per trapnet lift was considered average compared to other Minnesota lakes of similar type. Average size of 6.6 inches was small and growth was fast compared to other Duluth Area lakes. Age analysis revealed strong 2005 and 2006 year-classes and no fish older than age four. Bluegill abundance of 1.9 per trapnet lift was considered below average compared to other Minnesota lake of similar type. Average size of 5.8 inches was small and growth was fast compared to Duluth Area lakes. Age analysis revealed a strong 2005 year-class and five year-classes represented from 2001 through 2006. Other fish species sampled during the assessment included brown bullhead, golden shiner, pumpkinseed sunfish, white sucker and yellow bullhead.

Long Lake is a shallow (less than 14 feet), dark water lake with good, naturally produced, walleye and black crappie populations. The 1995 Lake Survey sampled walleyes at a rate of 7.0 per net which is higher than expected for lakes with Long Lake's characteristics. The average walleye length was 12.9 inches with a few fish over 20 inches. The survey also noted black crappie were captured at a rate of 5.0 per net with the average crappie measuring 8.3 inches and a few fish over 10 inches. Largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, bluegill, pumpkinseed and bullheads are also present for the angler although their abundance is low.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Bluegill, Northern Pike, 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 14 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Long is from 2016. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.