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Frequently Asked Questions About Long Lake, MN
- How big is Long Lake?
- How deep is Long Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Long Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Long Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Long Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Long Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Long Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Long Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Long Lake?
How big is Long Lake?
How deep is Long Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Long Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Orangespotted Sunfish, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Long Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Long Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Long Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Long Lake?
Explore the Long Lake area in a RV
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What aquatic invasive species are found in Long Lake?
Join us in the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species These sneaky creatures can hitch a ride on boats, clinging onto propellers, anchor lines, and trailers. They can even survive in hidden places like bilge water and ballast tanks, or disguise themselves in dirt and sand that sticks to nets, buckets, anchors, and waders. But don't worry, we have the power to stop them in their tracks with just a few simple steps. So let's do our part and protect our waters from these unwanted invaders.
History & Status of the Fishery
A re-survey was conducted on Long Lake during late June of 2014. Long is a large (1,568 acres), shallow (16 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Long is part of the Hawk Creek Watershed. The watershed is varied with undeveloped hardwoods, agricultural row crops, grasslands, wetlands, and residential development. There are two public access sites located along the lake (northeast, southwest). The water clarity was good for Long Lake on June 27, 2014 (secchi=5.0 feet). Blue-green algae blooms are common during the mid to late summer period in Long Lake. The nutrient levels were moderate for Long Lake during 2014 (total phosphorus=0.045 ppm). Submergent vegetation was moderate in density during 2014. Submergent vegetation consisted primarily of sago pondweed, coontail and narrow-leaf pondweed group. Emergent vegetation stands were scattered along the lakeshore. Emergent vegetation consisted primarily of hardstem bulrush and cattail species. There are several mid-water bulrush islands in Long Lake. Shoalwater substrates were primarily sand, gravel, boulder, silt and rubble. A cormorant rookery is located on the large island. There are fourteen small inlets and one large inlet (Ringo Lake Outlet) that enter Long Lake. The Long Lake outlet connects to East Solomon Lake. Water levels were high during June and July of 2014. A slow no-wake zone was put in place for lakes in Kandiyohi and Stearns Counties during June thru early July of 2014. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Long Lake for walleye, northern pike, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, and largemouth bass.
Yellow perch numbers were low in 2014 (3.67 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average (7.23 fish/gillnet) for Long Lake. The 2014 yellow perch average size was moderate (0.18 pounds and 6.62 inches) and similar to the historical average size of 0.18 pounds from gillnets. Yellow perch growth rates are excellent. Approximately 77% of the yellow perch catch was from the 2013 year class.
Northern pike numbers were abundant in 2014 (3.00 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 1.49 fish/gillnet. The 2014 northern pike average size was moderate (3.80 pounds and 23.40 inches) from gillnets. The northern pike historical average weight is 3.42 pounds from gillnets. Northern pike growth rates were excellent for ages 1-4, but poor for ages 5-7. The largest northern pike captured was 32.8 inches from a gillnet in 2014. The 2013 year class comprised 50% of the 2014 northern pike catch.
Bluegill numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 (7.67 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 2.67 fish/trapnet. The 2014 bluegill average size was small (0.12 pounds and 4.62 inches) from trapnets. Bluegill growth rates were excellent. The largest bluegill captured was 9.1 inches from a trapnet in 2014.
Black crappie numbers were low in 2014 (0.33 fish/trapnet). The black crappie historical average catch rate is 0.16 fish/trapnet. The 2014 black crappie average size was large (0.68 pounds and 9.72 inches) compared to the historical average size of 0.34 pounds from trapnets. Black crappie growth rates were moderate to excellent.
Walleye numbers were low in 2014 (6.33 fish/gillnet) compared to the historical average of 19.69 fish/gillnet. The 2014 walleye average size was large (3.06 pounds and 18.60 inches) from gillnets. The walleye historical average weight is 2.19 pounds from gillnets. Walleye growth rates were excellent for ages 3-8. The 2013 (6-8 inch fish) and 2011 (15-16 inch fish) year classes (fry stocked years) comprised 34% and 32% of the 2014 walleye survey catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Long Lake is frequent, but variable for year classes produced based on previous fall and summer surveys. The last fall electrofishing survey of Long Lake was conducted on September 17, 2013 to evaluate a spring walleye fry stocking (1,497,262 fry). There were abundant small young of year "YOY" walleye numbers (280.71 YOY/hour, 5.42 inches average length) captured in 2013.
Largemouth bass are generally present in low numbers in Long Lake. However, local bass anglers do occasionally fish for quality size largemouth bass in Long Lake. Largemouth bass abundance was low (12.81 fish/hour) in the 2014 spring electrofishing survey, but similar to the historical average (12.17 fish/hour). Largemouth bass abundance was the highest in a 2004 spring electrofishing survey (20.95 fish/hour). The 2014 largemouth bass average size was moderate (1.52 pounds and 13.61 inches). There were moderate numbers of largemouth bass 15.00 plus inches (5.39 fish/hour) captured in the 2014 spring electrofishing survey. Largemouth bass growth rates were excellent. The 2011 year class comprised 42% of the largemouth bass spring electrofishing catch. There is abundant largemouth bass habitat such as bulrush present in Long.
Black bullhead (small sized) numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 gillnets (58.00 fish/gillnet), but below the historical average of 112.19 fish/gillnet. Low numbers of large sized black bullhead were caught in the 2014 trapnets (4.92 fish/trapnet). The 2014 black bullhead average weights were 0.87 pounds and 0.06 pounds from trapnets and gillnets respectively.
Carp numbers were moderately abundant in 2014 (4.33 fish/trapnet) compared to the historical average of 2.01 fish/trapnet. The carp average size was large (8.56 pounds and 24.99 inches) from trapnets.
Current fish management activities on Long Lake include monitoring the fish population on a periodic basis, monitoring winter dissolved oxygen levels, assisting the county with the operation of the aeration system, protecting aquatic vegetation through the permit process, preventing and educating about the spread of invasive species, participating in local watershed initiatives, and stocking various fish species as warranted. The Long Lake fishery will be sampled in the 2015 fall for young of year walleye and the 2019 summer for all fish species.
What is the average air temp for Long Lake?
Are there any state parks near Long Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Long Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Point Lake | 1.0 mi | 174 | 32 ft |
Ringo Lake | 2.1 mi | 735 | 10 ft |
Eagle Lake | 2.1 mi | 849 | 67 ft |
Skataas Lake | 2.2 mi | 197 | 11 ft |
Henderson Lake | 2.9 mi | 75 | 57 ft |
Lake Florida | 3.6 mi | 705 | 40 ft |
East Solomon Lake | 3.7 mi | 658 | 14 ft |
George Lake | 3.8 mi | 228 | 34 ft |
Willmar Lake | 4.2 mi | 636 | 14 ft |
Elkhorn Lake | 4.6 mi | 79 | 41 ft |