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?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Long Lake?

A targeted survey was conducted on Long Lake by Willmar, Minnesota in mid-May of 2022 to collect additional data to determine if special regulations are warranted. Twelve standard lake survey trapnets were set at historical stations to target Bluegill and Black Crappie. Special regulations as part of the Quality Sunfish Initiative for several area lakes (Nest, Long (Hawick, Minnesota), Diamond, George and Florida) currently entail reduced bag limits (i.e., 5 or 10 fish) for Bluegill or Black Crappie. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e., spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methodology (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e., lake survey gillnets, trapnets and possibly spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Trapnet sampling pre-spawn Bluegill during early/mid-May or September is preferred to summer (June-August) netting for regulation evaluation.

Long is a large (1,568 acres), shallow (16 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. Water levels were low during 2020-2022. 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 fair for Long Lake on July 6, 2020 (secchi=3.0 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 consists primarily of sago pondweed, coontail and narrow-leaf pondweed group. Filamentous and blue-green algae also occur in Long Lake. Emergent vegetation stands were scattered along the lakeshore. Emergent vegetation consists primarily of hardstem bulrush and cattail species. There are several mid-water bulrush islands in Long Lake. Shoalwater substrates are primarily sand, gravel, boulder, silt and rubble. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Long Lake for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass. Walleye angling success was excellent during 2020-2022.

Black Crappie abundance was moderate (3.08 fish/trapnet) in mid-May of 2022. The summer (mid-July) historical average catch rate is 2.94 fish/trapnet for Long Lake. The Black Crappie average size was large (0.87 pounds and 11.4 inches) from 2022 mid-May trapnets. The summer historical average weight is 0.33 pounds for trapnets. The 2022 mid-May catch rate of preferred size (10.0 inches plus) Black Crappie was moderate (2.75 fish/trapnet). Black Crappie growth rates were excellent for ages 1-7. The 2018 and 2017 year classes comprised 49% and 46% respectively of the 2022 Black Crappie catch. Black Crappie adults were last stocked during 1993 (2,225 fish, 543 pounds) into Long Lake. Local anglers reported moderate success catching large Black Crappie during the 2022-2023 winter.

Bluegill abundance was low (0.58 fish/trapnet) in mid-May of 2022. The summer (late June) historical average catch rate is 3.02 fish/trapnet for Long Lake. The 2022 mid-May Bluegill average size was large (0.63 pounds and 9.0 inches from trapnets). The summer (mid-July) historical Bluegill average weight is 0.14 pounds from trapnets. The 2022 mid-May catch rate of preferred size (8.0 inches plus) Bluegill was low (0.50 fish/trapnet). Bluegill growth rates were excellent for ages 1-6. Three year classes (2016-2018) each comprised 33% respectively of the 2022 Bluegill catch. Bluegill were last stocked during 2010 (1,494 fish, 242 pounds) into Long Lake.

Other fish species captured in the 2022 mid-May trapnets included moderate numbers of Common Carp (1.08 fish/trapnet) and Walleye (1.67 fish/trapnet). Low numbers of Black Bullhead (6.00 fish/trapnet), Yellow Bullhead (0.08 fish/trapnet), Golden Shiner (0.08 fish/trapnet), Hybrid Sunfish (0.08 fish/trapnet), Bigmouth Buffalo (0.17 fish/trapnet), and Smallmouth Bass (0.08 fish/trapnet) were also captured in the 2022 mid-May 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 may be sampled in the 2023 fall for young of year Walleye and the 2025 summer for all fish species.

What is the average air temp for Long Lake?

Are there any state parks near Long Lake?