Long Lake

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A resurvey was conducted at Long Lake in 2013 to monitor the Lake's chemical, physical, and biological characteristics. The current Lake Management Plan listed Largemouth Bass and Bluegill as primary management species while Northern Pike and Black Crappie were listed as a secondary species. Water clarity was good on June 24, with a secchi disk reading of 6.0 feet. Long's lakeshed (983 acres) was mostly forest (32%), cropland (27%), and residential (23%). Approximately 51% of the shoreline was developed with private homes, many being year round residences. White water lilies were abundant, while yellow water lilies were rare on Long Lake. A quality aquatic plant community was present at Long Lake in 2013. The maximum depth at which submergent vegetation was found was 13.9 feet. Curlyleaf pondweed can be abundant in May and June. It usually begins dying back in early July. For shoalwater substrates; sand and silt werel common. Most of the eastern shoreline remained undeveloped in 2013. Long Lake has a history of winterkill with a substantial kill (especially on Bluegill, Carp, and Largemouth Bass) occurring in 2011. Fish populations can fluctuate greatly depending on the frequency and severity of winterkill.

Walleye were not gill netted or trap netted in 2013. Walleye were last stocked in 1994 and a substantial fishery has not existed since the mid 1990's. Long Lake's habitat (abundant submergent vegetation and sandy shores) is better suited for Bluegill and Largemouth Bass.

Gill nets sampled 88 Northern Pike for a catch rate of 14.7/net, which was above the normal range and the highest on record for Long Lake. Northern Pike were the most abundant fish sampled in the gill nets. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were mostly low, ranging from 0.2 to 14.7/net with an average of 3.3. In 2013, gill netted Northern Pike were 15.8 to 33.5 inches long with an average of 22.2. An impressive 7% of the gill net sample was 30 inches or longer. Trap nets sampled 5 fish that were 29" or longer, with a maximum length of 35.9 inches. Average and maximum lengths indicated that a quality population was present. Northern Pike were age-2 through age-6 with 5 year-classes present. Age-2 through age-4 fish were well represented, accounting for 90% of the gill net sample. A total of 391 Northern Pike were stocked on 12/11/09 weighing 326 pounds. Many Northern Pike likely survived the winterkill, explaining the strong recruitment in 2011. High numbers (50+) of yearling Northern Pike were observed during the 2012 spring nighttime electrofishing assessment for Largemouth Bass, indicating excellent reproduction in 2011. Growth was moderate.

Gill nets sampled 36 Yellow Perch for a catch rate of 6.0/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were highly variable ranging from 2.0 to 96.2/net with an average of 25.3. Gill netted Yellow Perch were 6.3 to 8.6 inches long with an average of 7.4.

Gill nets sampled 2 Black Crappie for a catch rate of 0.3/net, which was below the normal range for a lake of this type and the lowest ever recorded at Long Lake. The 2008 catch rate was 2.0/net. Gill net catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were mostly low, ranging from 0.3 to 10.0/net with an average of 4.6. The latest three catch rates showed a possible decreasing trend in Black Crappie abundance. In 2013, gill netted Black Crappie were 10.3 and 10.9 inches long. Trap nets sampled 7 Black Crappie for a catch rate of 0.8/net, which was also below the normal range. The 2008 trap net catch rate was similar at 0.6/net. Trap net catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=10) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 12.5/net with an average of 3.3. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.6 to 11.2 inches long with an average of 7.0. Trap netted Black Crappie were age-2 to age-6, with three year-classes present.

Trap nets sampled 287 Bluegill for a catch rate of 31.9/net, which was within the normal range for a lake of this type. Bluegill were the most abundant fish sampled in the trap nets in 2013. The 2008 catch rate was at 129.2/net. The 2011 winterkill was likely responsible for the large drop in Bluegill numbers. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=10) were variable, ranging from 10.8 to 181.1/net with an average of 77.9. In 2013, trap netted Bluegill were 2.3 to 8.6 inches long with an average of 6.5. An impressive 58% of the trap net catch was 7 inches or longer, while 77% were 6 inches or longer. The length frequency distribution indicated that a quality population was present. Bluegill were age-2 to age-5 with four year-classes present. Bluegill that survived the winterkill (age-3, age-4, and age-5's) were growing fast. Good numbers of nice sized Bluegill should be of interest to sunfish anglers.

Spring night-time electrofishing sampled 123 Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 49.5/hr of electrofisher on-time. The catch rates in 2011 and 2012, following the winterkill, were 0.0 and 28.3/hr. The three most recent catch rates indicated an increasing trend in abundance of Largemouth Bass at Long Lake. Catch rates from 1994 to 2013 (n=8) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 72.9/hr of electrofisher on-time with an average of 41.0. Electrofished Largemouth Bass were 4.5 to 18.4 inches long with an average of 9.4. Approximately 87% of the catch was less than 12 inches in length. The length frequency distribution indicated a population dominated by small fish, as would be expected following a severe winterkill. Largemouth Bass were age-1 through age-6 with 5 year-classes being present. Age-2 and age-1 fish made up 63% and 30% of the sample, respectively, that could be aged. The older fish could either be from the 45 adult broodstock that were reintroduced following the kill or fish that survived the winterkill. Growth was fast. Good numbers of 11 to 14 inch fish should be present by the 2014 bass opener.

Gill nets sampled 0 Black Bullhead in 2013. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=8) were mostly low, ranging from 0.0 to 27.7/net with an average of 10.9. Trap nets sampled 6 Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 0.7/net which was below the normal range for a lake of this type. Catch rates from 1973 to 2013 (n=9) were mostly low ranging from 0.1 to 16.8/net with an average of 3.1. Trap netted Black Bullhead were 10.1 to 13.2 inches long with an average of 11.2.

Carp were not sampled in 2013. Carp have not been sampled in high numbers since the 1989 assessment (5.8/gill net).

What is the average air temp for Long Lake?