Fishing Long Lake

Long Lake's smallmouth bass fishing is the real draw here, with 2 legal bass per acre and fish up to 20 inches regularly caught. The bass population shows excellent natural reproduction across all age classes and average growth rates, with most legal fish running 12-17 inches. Walleye density is disappointingly low at just 0.7 legal fish per acre, though recent stocking efforts by both DNR and the lake association have helped boost numbers from the early 2000s when juvenile surveys found almost no young walleye. Most walleye run 15-21 inches with below-average growth rates. Northern pike are limited by sparse spawning habitat due to shoreline development, but the ones present grow fast - 1.8 inches above state average - with half the population between 20-30 inches and 7% exceeding 30 inches. Yellow perch provide consistent action with above-average growth, taking about 4 years to reach 8 inches, and they dominate the harvest at 68% of all fish kept. Rock bass are extremely abundant throughout the system. The lake's shallow, wind-swept nature means no thermocline forms, keeping dissolved oxygen good throughout the 25-foot maximum depth. Bottom composition ranges from sand, gravel and cobble nearshore to marl and muck in deeper water. Zebra mussels arrived in the late 1990s and may have improved water clarity while reducing carp numbers. Spawning closures protect walleye and pike runs in Shuberts and Clinton creeks from April 1-May 14. The Long Lake Association has been active in habitat improvement, having installed 364 brush shelters from 1942-1952, and continues cormorant control efforts each spring.