Long Lake

How big is Long Lake?

How deep is Long Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Long Lake?

Are there boat launches on Long Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Long Lake?

Long Lake is a 159-acre lake located in southern Clearwater County just west of Itasca State Park off of MN State Hwy 200. The lake is located adjacent to a county park which offers primitive and RV campsites. There is a public water access located in the park on the northwest end of the lake. The lake is a popular destination for trout anglers in both the open and hard-water seasons. The county park also offers a fishing pier providing a great shorefishing opportunity for those without access to a boat.

Long Lake is managed as a two-story fishery which contains both warm and coldwater fish species. Yearling rainbow trout are stocked annually at the rate of 100 fish/acre which results in consistent trout fishing from year to year. Growth rates for trout are good and carryover of stocked fish from previous years is common, providing the opportunity to catch larger trout as well. Long Lake also supports populations of panfish (bluegill and black crappie), largemouth bass and northern pike.

The 2012 assessment catch rate for rainbow trout was 4.83 fish/gill net. Rainbow trout ranged in length up to 12.4 inches. Although catches of larger trout are regularly reported by anglers, the assessment captured only fish from the 2012 stocking.

Northern pike are present in low numbers, which is the result of previous efforts to remove the species and the prevention of pike migration from other connected waters. The 2012 assessment catch rate for northern pike was 2.5 fish/gill net, which is just within the normal range for this lake class. Northern pike in the 2012 sample ranged in length up to 24.5 inches, although larger pike are likely present in the population. Northern pike are voracious predators of trout, but their presence in small numbers is likely not detrimental and provides an opportunity for anglers to catch a large pike.

Species such as bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass can be limited by insufficient habitat and food resources in two-story lakes such as Long, resulting in slow growth rates. The bluegill catch rate of 40.11 fish/trap net is within the statewide normal range for class 23 lakes. Bluegill up to 7.6 inches in length were captured in 2012. Even though bluegill are reproducing consistently in Long Lake, growth rates appear to be limiting the maximum size the fish are able to attain. Black crappie were captured in low numbers (0.22 fish/trap net) for this lake type. Largemouth bass were also captured in low numbers, with fish up to 17.2 inches in length present in the sample.

Are there any state parks near Long Lake?