Long

Long (Higgin's) Lake (DOW# 77-0149-00; Lake Class 31) is a 230-acre lake located 7 miles northeast of Sauk Centre. The lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet (average = 17 feet) and has visibility around 13-14 feet. Long Lake has numerous submerged trees that provide good angling opportunities. Spring trap netting was conducted as part of a targeted survey to evaluate the size structure of Bluegill during June 3-6, 2025. This sampling helps to determine if the population has changed following the implementation of a 10-fish bag limit on March 1, 2016. Long-term data have indicated an improvement in Bluegill size structure following the regulation change. As a result, a 5-fish bag limit was implemented for 2026 with the intention of further improvement. Spring trap netting has been used to survey the panfish population on Long Lake since 2002 and will continue to be used to monitor long-term trends. Bluegill size structure goals for the Quality Sunfish Initiative include the persistent presence of fish at least 10 inches in length and at least 50% over 7 inches, 20% over 8 inches, and 5% over 9 inches. Other criteria used to measure the success of the reduced bag limit include mean size, catch rate of fish over 8 inches, and mean length of the top 10%. A total of 432 Bluegill were captured during 2025 and ranged in size from 2.8-10.3 inches (average = 6.7 inches). Bluegill that measured 10 inches or greater were present and have been consistently captured during surveys since 2018. The current survey showed that 47% of fish were over 7 inches, 26% were over 8 inches, and 6% were over 9 inches. The average length of the top 10% and the catch rate of fish over 8 inches have both increased over the years. Long Lake has shown a notable improvement in Bluegill size structure following the regulation change. Anglers can expect to catch plenty of fish over 7 inches and the opportunity to capture fish over 10 inches. The number of fish between 4-6 inches has slightly increased more recently, which is likely due to consistent recruitment over the last two years. This is not of concern as long as growth rates remain strong. No aging data were collected during 2025, but age analysis from 2017 provided evidence of excellent growth. The lake management plan goal for Bluegill outside of the Quality Sunfish Initiative included maintaining at least 40% of the catch over 7 inches, 10% of the catch over 8 inches, and 3% of the catch over 9 inches; this goal was achieved during 2025. A total of 24 Black Crappie were captured and measured 5.2-13.3 inches (average = 9.4 inches) with 46% over 10 inches. Otoliths were not collected from Black Crappie during 2025. However, age analysis of Black Crappie in 2024 indicated fast growth as fish were reaching 11 inches at age 5 and 12 inches by age 6. A total of 61 Pumpkinseed were captured and were 3.4-7.9 inches long (average = 5.8 inches). Fish over 7 inches made up 28% of the catch. During the survey, 17 Northern Pike were captured and measured 9.8-21.6 inches (average = 16.0 inches). Other species that were captured include Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass.

Spring trap netting was performed in an effort to evaluate Bluegill size structure and possible changes resulting from the implementation of a 10 fish bag limit on March 1, 2016. Daytime electrofishing was also conducted (May 31) to augment the sample size. Spring trap netting is the preferred method for evaluating panfish populations and has been conducted on the lake five previous times since 2002. Future evaluations relating to the 10 fish bag limit will incorporate trap netting to provide proper comparisons. Spring trap netting in 2024 captured 401 Bluegill ranging from 3.1 to 10.5 inches long. Average length was 7.1 inches. Bluegill 10 inches and larger have been present in the last three trap net assessments including 2024. Fish over 7 inches comprised 60% of the 2024 trap net sample while 25% were greater than 8 inches and 7% exceeded 9 inches. Bluegill size structure goals developed for the Quality Sunfish Initiative aim for at least 50% of the sample to exceed 7 inches, 20% to exceed 8 inches, 5% over 9 inches and the persistent presence of fish 10 inches or longer. All of these goals were met in 2024. Additional criteria that may be used to measure success of the reduced sunfish bag limit include: mean size, catch rate of fish over 8 inches, and mean length of the top 10% of fish. When combining the four pre-regulation spring trap net surveys mean size was 6.1 inches, mean catch rate of fish over 8 inches was 3.3/net, and mean length of the top 10% was 8.55 inches. In 2024 the catch rate of Bluegill over 8 inches was 2.8/net and mean length of the top 10% was 9.18 inches. Nearly all of the 2024 size structure metrics for Bluegill showed improvement over pre-regulation conditions. Examination of 2024 length frequency data shows an increased representation of fish in the 5 to 6.9 inch range likely resulting from increased recruitment. No otoliths were extracted for aging Bluegill during this survey. Excellent Bluegill growth rates were evident from otoliths collected in 2017. An additional 75 Bluegill were sampled via daytime electrofishing in 2024 which was attempted to determine if electrofishing could be a viable evaluation tool. Less than 40% of these fish exceeded 7 inches as smaller fish were also prevalent during this effort. Maximum length was 9.7 inches. Future evaluation efforts will consist solely of spring trap netting. Black Crappie spring trap net catches can vary considerably due to sampling conditions, and the Long Lake catches have demonstrated this variability. Spring trap net catches have ranged from 3 to 193 fish. A total of 75 crappie were captured in 2024 trap nets ranging in size from 4.4 to 12.8 inches, mean length was 9.8 inches with 44% of the sample 10 inches or longer. Maximum length was 12.8 inches. The 2024 crappie size structure was much improved from all previous spring trap net surveys. An additional 27 crappie were collected during daytime electrofishing. Mean size from this sample was 8.7 inches, maximum size was 11.8 inches, and 26% exceeded 10 inches. Otoliths were extracted from crappie captured during the 2024 efforts. Aging results indicate fast growth rates with fish exceeding 11 inches at Age 5 and attaining 12 inches by Age 6. Pumpkinseeds were captured in modest numbers in 2024 with 81 fish sampled ranging from 3.5 to 8.7 inches. Over half of the sample was comprised of fish over 7 inches and just under 15% were over 8 inches. Trap nets also produced a catch of 38 Northern Pike all of which were less than 21 inches long, mean length was 16.8 inches.

Long Higgins Lake received a standard survey using eight gill nets the week of July 11, 2022. The last survey using gill nets was labeled a targeted survey and was completed in 2015. Species targeted with gill nets include Walleye, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. At this time, the main fisheries Long Higgins supports include Northern Pike, Bluegill and Largemouth Bass, the latter two are best assessed using spring-time trap netting and electrofishing, respectively. A total of 74 Northern Pike were captured which is more than we'd like to see in Long Higgins Lake. At an average size of 17.3 inches, they're smaller than we'd like to see as well. Ninety-seven percent of pike caught measured less than 21 inches in length which is fairly consistent with what results from past surveys. Pike populations that resemble the above attributes are very difficult to rectify. Reproduction is likely high and there is no predation by large (greater than 36 inch) pike to suppress the abundance of smaller ones. Yellow Perch are in very low abundance, only one fish was caught out of eight gill nets deployed. Over the years, perch abundance has declined, likely due to pike density. Bluegill were captured in gill nets at a much higher rate than past years even though gill nets are not a particularly effective sampling gear for Bluegill. A total of 48 fish were captured, average size was 6.3 inches and maximum length was 9.3 inches. A 10-fish bag limit on sunfish was enacted in March 2016 to reduce angler harvest and allow more fish to attain larger sizes (8-10 inches). Targeted sampling using spring-time trap netting is used to evaluate the effects of the regulation. See the 2021 targeted survey for more details. Electrofishing was not conducted in this survey however in 2017 Largemouth Bass were targeted and about 43 percent of the catch measured 15 inches or greater. Long Higgins Lake has numerous trees and logs that are flooded making for fun bass fishing opportunities around the entire lake. Largemouth Bass are the dominant bass in the lake but there are a few Smallmouth Bass as well. Other species captured during this survey included 23 Pumpkinseeds (maximum length eight inches), 14 Black Crappies (maximum length 11.9 inches) and two Brown Bullheads.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye 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 36 feet and a mean depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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.