Minnesota · Itasca County
Long Lake Fishing guide
Long Lake is a 155-acre lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, reaching 72 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 15.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 4 times, most recently in 2024, with largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and crappie in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassPresent2per trap net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 16 fish
2024Lengths measured · 15 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few5per gill net19"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 24 fish
2024Lengths measured · 30 fish
2007BluegillJust a few22.6per trap net4"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 158 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 158 fish
2024Lengths measured · 244 fish
2007CrappieJust a few2.7per trap net8"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 19 fish
Recent · 2024Lengths measured · 19 fish
2024Lengths measured · 21 fish
2007Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Long Lake through the year
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 15.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 72 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 15.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 72 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Largemouth bass | Northern pike | Bluegill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10" | 34" | 7" |
| 2007 | 12" | 34" | 8" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
Bluegill · Soft plastics
Tungsten Jig + Micro Plastic
1–1.5" micro plastic
Bluegill · Live bait
Clip-On Bobber + Worm
half to whole garden nightcrawler
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2024 survey
Long Lake is located five miles north of Talmoon, MN in the Chippewa National Forest and the Big Fork River watershed. Long Lake is in ecological lake class 28. Other area lakes in this class include Arrowhead, Batson and Little Too Much Lakes. There is a concrete ramp boat access at the southeast end of the lake.
Last revised in 2008, the fisheries lake management plan (LMP) lists Northern Pike as the primary management species and Black Crappie and Bluegill as secondary management species. Long Lake is managed without stocking or special regulations. A standard lake survey was conducted in late July 2024 to update information on the fishery.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Northern Pike population has typically had moderate numbers and size structure. Northern Pike were captured a typical rate for lakes similar to Long and met the management goal. Size structure was modest with pike ranging from 17.6 to 34.3 inches with an average length of 22.1 inches. Fifteen percent of the sample exceeded 28 inches. Size structure goals for Northern Pike were not met; however memorable-sized (>34 inches) pike were observed. Age and growth analysis indicated consistent natural reproduction and average growth. Ages 2 through 8 were identified with pike averaging 24.8 inches at age 5.
Gill-net catches for Tullibee have been high compared to similar lakes. The 2024 catch rate remained above the expected range for similar lakes but typical for Long. Sampled fish ranged from 7.2 to 12.0 inches with an average length of 9.9 inches. Tullibee are likely an important prey source for larger Northern Pike in Long Lake.
As observed in past surveys, Black Crappie were present in moderate numbers and sizes. Black Crappie trap-net catch was typical for the lake and lakes with similar habitat. Size structure was modest; sampled fish ranged from 6.6 to 10.2 inches with an average length of 8.7 inches. Ages 2 through 6 were identified with average growth. Black Crappie averaged 9.2 inches after 5 years of growth.
Long Lake Bluegill have historically been moderate in numbers with poor size structure. The trap-net catch was average for the lake and similar lakes. Size structure was poor with Bluegill ranging from 3.2 to 7.8 inches with an average length of 5.0 inches. Only 17% of the sample exceeded six inches. Ages 2 through 9 were represented in the sample and growth was similar to the lake class average. Bluegill averaged 6.2 inches after 6 years of growth.
The 2024 trap-net catch for Largemouth Bass was slightly above the expected range and higher than any previous surveys. Sampled Largemouth Bass were small, ranging from 4.7 to 10.2 inches.
Net catches for Yellow Perch have historically been very low. No perch were captured in gill nets and only five were captured in the trap nets. This catch was similar to previous surveys.
Other species sampled included Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Long Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Long Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Long Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Long Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Hatch Lake · 226 ac · 1.9 mi
- Gunderson Lake · 183 ac · 2.1 mi
- Big Too Much Lake · 292 ac · 2.2 mi
- Arrowhead Lake · 139 ac · 2.4 mi
- Bello Lake · 527 ac · 3.2 mi
- East Lake · 111 ac · 3.3 mi
- Maple Lake · 255 ac · 3.5 mi
- Peterson Lake · 163 ac · 3.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Long Lake?
Long Lake reaches 72 ft at its deepest point; about 15% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Long Lake?
Long Lake covers 155 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Long Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Long Lake average 15.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Long Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2024) record largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Long Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Long Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Long Lake have a public access?
Yes. Long Lake has one public access site: Long Lake (trailer launch).
How big do largemouth bass get in Long Lake?
The biggest largemouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 10"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2007.
When was Long Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Long Lake in 2024, the most recent of 4 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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