Long Lake

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 boat launches on Long Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Long Lake?

Long Lake is a relatively small, deep lake with limited shallow water habitat located east of Goodland, MN. The lake has one public access and limited shoreline development. The 2005 lake management plan (LMP) indicated Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike were the primary species of management with Black Crappie as the secondary species. The LMP goals were to maintain Bluegill size structure with 60 and 10% of the sample longer than 6 and 8 inches; maintain a Northern Pike gill-net catch of 2.0/net with 30-inch fish present. Due to other area priorities and COVID-19 fish sampling guidelines, night electrofishing for bass was not conducted in 2020.

Bluegill catch rates have ranged from a low of 13.1 fish/trap net in this survey to a high of 41.8 fish/trap net in 1977. Though the 2020 catch was low, it was within the range observed from lakes with similar habitat. The sample fish ranged from 2.9 to 8.5 inches and averaged 5.1 inches. Seven age classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 2 to 9 represented. Growth was comparable to similar lakes. Six year-old fish averaged 6.8 inches. The LMP size structure goals were not achieved since only 27 and 2% of the sample exceeded 6 and 8 inches. The poor size structure likely discourages anglers from targeting Bluegill.

Northern Pike gill-net catches declined from a high of 4.0 fish/net in 1977 to a low of 1.2 fish/net in 1983, just six years later. The catch of 3.5/net in 2020 was below average for the lakes with similar habitat but exceeded the LMP goal of 2.0/net. Lower catches are often associated with better size structure and growth because there is less competition for food. The sampled fish ranged from 21.8 to 31.8 inches and averaged 26.7 inches. The LMP size structure goal was achieved because four fish exceeded 30 inches. Seven year-classes were estimated from cliethra (bony structure near the gill-plate) and scales ranging from age 1 to 10. Pike averaged 25.3 inches by age 4; which was above the statewide average of 23.6. The population may provide some quality angling opportunities but due to the lower numbers could be vulnerable to overharvest.

Northern Pike populations with relatively good size structure and growth are often associated with prey species like Cisco, White Suckers, and Yellow Perch. Interestingly, Cisco have never been sampled in Long Lake, and only one White Sucker and very few perch were sampled in 2020. An examination of stomach contents from the sampled pike did not provided minimal information as to what pike may be eating. It appears that our methods are not effectively sampling the prey of pike in Long Lake.

Black Crappie catches were somewhat low in 2020; the gill-net and the trap-net catches were 1.2 and 0.5 fish/net. The fish sampled ranged from 4.6 to 10.9 inches and averaged 8.3 inches. Six age-classes were estimated from scales with fish from age 3 to 8 represented. Growth was slow compared to lakes with similar habitat.

Other species observed during the survey included Golden Shiner, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Rock Bass.

What is the average air temp for Long Lake?

Are there any state parks near Long Lake?