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 located in Stearns County, one mile south of St. Rosa. The lake has a surface area of 92 acres and a maximum depth of 65 feet. The watershed is large and dominated by agriculture. There are few homes on the lake, but a large area along shore has steep banks and is grazed by cattle, causing erosion. Water quality is moderate and the lake has a modest number of aquatic plant species; coontail, chara, and sago pondweed were the most common species. Plants grew to a maximum depth of 13 feet. Curly-leaf pondweed is an invasive plant found at or near the surface in three percent of the lake area at the end of May. Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and yellow perch are present in the lake. A public access is located on the west side of the lake. Long lake was surveyed in June 2012.

Northern pike abundance was similar to the last survey in 2002 and within the expected range for similar lakes. The average size was 23 inches and three pounds. The largest northern pike caught was 30 inches. Growth was fast; northern pike grew to 24 inches in four years. Thirty-six percent of northern pike were longer than 24 inches. Most northern pike were three or four years old.

Largemouth bass were sampled by daytime electrofishing in May 2012. The catch rate was low and the average length was 11 inches. The largest bass caught was 21 inches. However, the true number of largemouth bass may be higher because much of the lake drops off sharply from the shore, making electrofishing difficult. In contrast, night electrofishing in 2002 found the number of bass to be above average.

Walleye fingerlings have been stocked by the local sportsman's club in eight of the last ten years. The walleye catch rate was low, but the number of walleye stocked has never been high. Only four walleye were caught, ranging from seven to 16 inches long. Gill nets were set parallel to shore due to the sharp drop-off and low oxygen in deeper water, possibly reducing their effectiveness.

The number of bluegill was similar to the 2002 survey and within the expected range for similar lakes. The average length was six inches and the largest bluegill caught was nearly nine inches. Bluegill growth was average, reaching six inches in four years. Most bluegill were three to five years old.

Black crappie numbers were within the expected range and changed little from 2002. The average length for black crappie was seven inches and the largest crappie was nine inches. Growth was average, reaching nine inches in four years. Most black crappies were two years old.

Yellow perch numbers were within the expected range for lakes similar to Long and were similar to the 2002 survey. The average length was six inches and the largest perch was over nine inches. Growth was average; yellow perch reached seven inches in four years. Most yellow perch were three or four years old. Other species captured in the survey included: bowfin, brown bullhead, common carp, golden shiner, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Long Lake?

Are there any state parks near Long Lake?