Long

Long Lake is a 487-acre lake located four miles north of Eden Valley in south central Stearns County. The lake is moderately productive, has a maximum depth of 35 feet, and is conjoined to the Sauk River Chain of Lakes through a navigable channel from Horseshoe Lake. The lake is managed primarily for Walleye; however, many anglers target other species such as Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, and panfish. Since 2007, the Walleye fishery has been sustained through biennial fry stocking on odd number years. Thirteen young of the year (YOY) Walleye were sampled in one hour of electrofishing (13/hr). Catch rates were less than the 2021 survey (20.7/hr) and the historical average (24.4/hr). Sixteen (16/hr) age one or older Walleye were also sampled and ranged in length from 12.6-20.8 inches, with a mean length of 16.3 inches.

A reduced bag limit on sunfish (10 fish daily) was enacted on Long Lake beginning March 1, 2021. Two previous panfish surveys were conducted on Long Lake in 2018 and 2021. A targeted panfish survey was conducted on Long Lake from May 27-30, 2025. Panfish surveys conducted in the spring, prior to when spawning occurs, typically provide a more accurate picture of the panfish abundance and size structure than standard surveys conducted during the summer. A total of 751 Bluegill were sampled; lengths ranged from 2.2-10.2 inches, with an average length of 7.1 inches. Eighty-seven percent of Bluegill sampled were longer than six inches and 16% were longer than eight inches. The mean length of the ten longest Bluegill sampled was 9.5 inches, exceeding the averages recorded in the 2018 (9.4 inches) and 2021 (8.6 inches) surveys. However, the percentage of Bluegill longer than eight inches (16%) was less than both the 2018 (20%) and 2021 (22%) surveys. Bluegill recruitment in Long Lake is consistent as ten different year classes were present. Bluegill grow quickly, reaching eight inches in five years. On average, Bluegill take ten or more years to reach eight inches in the Sauk Rapids management area. A total of 79 Black Crappie were sampled; lengths ranged from 5.4-12.5 inches, with an average length of 8.6 inches. Sixty-one percent of Black Crappie sampled were greater than eight inches in length. Thirty percent of Black Crappie sampled were greater than ten inches, a slight decrease from the percentages recorded in the 2018 and 2021 surveys, which were both 33%. The mean length of the ten longest Black Crappie sampled was 11.4 inches, greater than the 2018 survey (10.2 inches) but similar to the 2021 survey (11.5 inches). Black Crappie recruitment in Long Lake is consistent as six different year classes were present. Black Crappie grow quickly in Long Lake, surpassing ten inches by age five. On average, Black Crappie take eight years to reach ten inches in the Sauk Rapids management area. Although Bluegill grow quickly in Long Lake, anglers are still encouraged to limit their harvest of larger Bluegill. Releasing larger fish helps prevent stunted populations.

Long Lake is located in south-central Stearns County, north of Eden Valley. The 460-acre lake is connected to the Sauk River Chain of Lakes by a navigable channel into Horseshoe Lake and a separate state-owned public access exists on the south west side of the lake. In 2024, a fisheries survey was conducted to update fisheries data last sampled in 2018. The Long Lake watershed is approximately 33,000 acres and is influenced by the Eden, Mud, and North Browns watersheds, which drain into Long Lake. Average water clarity during summer is typically four feet or less. The aquatic plant community is typical of a eutrophic lake with submersed plants consisting of Coontail, curly leaf pondweed and sago pondweed. Emergent plants consisted of cattail species and White waterlily. The fishery of Long Lake is managed primarily for Northern Pike and Walleye, but anglers also seek Black Crappie and Bluegill. Other species present, such as Channel Catfish, Redhorse Sucker, and Smallmouth Bass, reflect the influence of the Sauk River. The catch rate of Northern Pike in 2018 was lower than 2013 and within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Long Lake. Northern Pike ranged in length from 19 to 32 inches and averaged 25 inches and four pounds. Thirty-three percent of Northern Pike sampled were longer than 26 inches. The Walleye population of Long Lake had been managed through fingerling stocking (in the 1980's), but fry stocking has been used since 1998. Fish probably also enter the lake from Horseshoe and North Browns Lakes. Due to poor fry success, Long lake was stocked with fingerlings and adults in 2017. Walleye were sampled in higher numbers than previous surveys, but have never been as high as the other lakes in the Sauk River chain. Walleye ranged in length from 10 to 28 inches and averaged 19 inches and three pounds. A wide range of year classes were present, with fish ranging from 2-13 years old. Growth was faster than the statewide average, but similar to the Sauk Rapids Area average, taking 3 years to reach 13.5 inches. Yellow Perch numbers in 2024 were higher than 2018 and were similar to the historic levels from 1972-1995. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 5 to 8 inches with an average length of six inches. Yellow Perch do not appear to reach a size favored by most anglers, but they provide an abundant source of forage for large predators. Channel Catfish were introduced into Horseshoe Lake in 1976 and have become well established throughout the Sauk River Chain of Lakes. Channel Catfish were first sampled in Long Lake in 1990, and the 2018 survey indicates that their abundance has decreased from the historical high of previous surveys. Channel Catfish ranged in length from 12 to 27 inches and averaged 22 inches and four pounds. In 2024, Black Crappie numbers were higher than recent surveys and the catch rate was higher than the expected range for lakes similar to Long Lake. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 14 inches and averaged eight inches. The trend in catch rates of Bluegill was similar to that of Black Crappie and Bluegill ranged in length from 4 to 9 inches with an average length of six inches. Other species sampled included: Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass 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 and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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