Long Lake

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Long Lake is a 267-acre lake located 8 miles north of Chisholm, MN. A township owned cement access is located off Centa Rd. on the southeast shore with parking for two rigs. Long Lake has a maximum depth of 36 feet and 47% of the lake is 15 feet or less. The lake has moderately soft water and low fertility. The water color is light brown, resulting in visibility to 6 feet in mid-summer. The depth of water at which oxygen levels limit fish presence was 10 to 12 ft. in the summer of 2019. Long Lake has two small inlets draining wetland areas and one outlet to Dewey Lake and eventually the Sturgeon River. Other area lakes with similar habitat include Side, Leander, Dewey, and Little Sturgeon.

The 2019 survey was the seventh survey of the fish community since 1957. Surveys occur to monitor the fish community for changes in species composition, abundance, size structure and growth. Gamefish species that are best suited for the lake are Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Largemouth Bass. No special regulations are present. The 2005 management plan indicated Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie were primary management species, while Northern Pike and Bluegill were secondary management species.

The Northern Pike population had a low catch rate, above average size distribution and average growth. The gill net catch in 2019 was slightly above the lake average. Higher catches are undesirable, as they typically indicate higher density populations with poor size structure and slow growth. Lengths of pike ranged from 20 to 32 inches, with an average of 25 inches. Size structure was above average, as 80% of pike exceeded 21 inches and 20% exceeded 28 inches. Pike were aged from 3 to 8 years old. Growth was average, resulting in pike taking five years to exceed 21 inches. Due to the lake's small size, anglers are encouraged to release pike exceeding 26 inches and harvest up to 10 less than 22 inches to help improve size structure. Spearers are encouraged to harvest smaller pike also.

The Black Crappie population had above average catch rates, average size distribution, and below average growth. Trap net and gill net catches in 2019 were higher than lake averages. Lengths ranged from 3 to 8 inches, with average lengths of 7.4 and 6.8 inches in the gill nets and trap nets. Size structure was below average, as only 35% of crappie exceeded 8 inches and none exceeded 10 inches. Only five crappie over 10 inches and only one crappie over 12 inches have ever been sampled, indicating consistently poor size structure. Some level of recruitment appears to occur regularly with seven age classes sampled in 2019. Crappie were aged from 1 to 8 years old, with age 4 fish most common. Growth was below average, resulting in crappie taking eight years to exceed 8 inches.

Only three Largemouth Bass were sampled in 2019. Electrofishing did not occur in 2019 due to staff reductions and weather; however, the 2004 electrofishing catch rate was below the long-term average from Grand Rapids Area electrofishing surveys. Lengths in 2004 ranged from 6 to 18 inches, with an average of 13.8 inches. Due to the lake's small size, anglers are encouraged to release bass exceeding 15 inches to help maintain or improve size structure.

The Bluegill population had a moderate catch rate, below average size distribution, and below average growth. The trap net catch in 2019 was higher than the lake average. Lengths ranged from 3 to 8 inches, with an average of 5.3 inches. Size structure was below average, as 36% of Bluegill sampled exceeded 6 inches, and only 3% exceeded 8 inches. The two surveys in which age and growth was evaluated, growth was below average, while fish were aged from 2 to 8 years old. Recruitment appeared to be consistent, and Bluegill took six years to exceed 6 inches. Due to the lake's small size, anglers are encouraged to release Bluegill exceeding 8 inches to help improve size structure.

Only one Walleye was sampled in 2019. Despite stocking Walleye in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, gill net catch rates have never exceeded 1.0/net. Stocking was discontinued in the 1990s. Statewide Walleye stocking guidelines recommend discontinuing stocking if stocking fails to produce a viable fishery supporting a catch rate of 2.0/gill net. Walleye present in Long Lake likely result from low levels of natural reproduction or migrate from downstream populations.

Only one Yellow Perch and no Tullibee (Cisco) were sampled in 2019 indicating a low amount of prey to support gamefish populations. The number of perch sampled in 2019 was the lowest number sampled in a survey, while 2019 was the second consecutive survey where no Tullibee were sampled. Other species sampled in 2019 included Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish and White Sucker.

In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations.

Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

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