Minnesota · Kandiyohi County
Long Lake Fishing guide
Long Lake covers 1,573 acres in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, reaching 16 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.7 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 18 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2018Excellent numbers12per gill net11"Typical27"Biggest
Lengths measured · 220 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 72 fish
2025Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 185 fish
2021Lengths measured · 148 fish
2021Largemouth bassGood numbers60.5per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 121 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 121 fish
2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2014Lengths measured · 2 fish
2009Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 41 fish
2004Northern pikeJust a few3.3per gill net23"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 18 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2020Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 12 fish
2014Lengths measured · 8 fish
2009Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
BluegillJust a few1.1per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 21 fish
2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2022Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 75 fish
2020Lengths measured · 92 fish
2014CrappieLast stocked 2023Just a few1.8per trap net11"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 44 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 7 fish
2025Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 37 fish
2022Lengths measured · 356 fish
2020Lengths measured · 4 fish
2014Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Yellow perchGood numbers6.8per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 28 fish
2025Lengths measured · 135 fish
2020Lengths measured · 29 fish
2014Lengths measured · 63 fish
2009Rates 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
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 95% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows. A 16-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- 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. With 95% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze. A 16-ft bowl cools fast, so the fall window comes early here.
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 | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27" | — | — |
| 2024 | 8" | — | — |
| 2021 | 15" | 18" | — |
| 2020 | 25" | — | — |
| 2018 | 7" | — | — |
| 2016 | 8" | — | — |
| 2015 | 11" | — | — |
| 2014 | 27" | 17" | — |
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:
Walleye · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Flipping/Punching Creature Bait
4" beaver/creature-style bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 13 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 1,787,715 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 1,000,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A standard survey was conducted on Long Lake during late June of 2025. 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). An Index of Biotic Integrity "FIBI" targeted survey for all near shore fish species was last conducted in August of 2020. A Score The Shore survey "STS" was last conducted in 2021. A targeted spring night electrofishing survey was conducted for yearling Walleye on Long Lake during April 23, 2025.
Long is a large (1,568 acres), shallow (16 feet maximum depth), aerated, and productive lake located in Kandiyohi County. 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). Zebra Mussels were first reported in Long Lake during 2022. The water clarity was excellent for Long Lake on June 23, 2025 (secchi=9.0 feet). Water clarity averaged 7.7 feet for May-October of 2025. Blue-green algae blooms are common during the mid-to-late summer periods in Long Lake. The nutrient levels were high for Long Lake during late July of 2021 (total phosphorus=0.096 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 consisted 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. A cormorant rookery is located on the large island. There are fourteen small inlets and one large inlet (Ringo Lake Outlet) that enter Long Lake. The Long Lake outlet connects to East Solomon Lake. Water levels were low during the spring, but high by summer and early fall of 2025. The DNR Spicer Area Fisheries Office manages Long Lake for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Largemouth Bass.
Read the full DNR narrative
Black Crappie abundance was low in 2025 (0.42 fish/trapnet). The Black Crappie historical average catch rate is 2.71 fish/trapnet for Long Lake. The 2025 Black Crappie gillnet catch rate was also low (0.50 fish/gillnet, 7.38 inches average). Abundant numbers of small sized Black Crappie (28.00 fish/trapnet, 6.18 inches average) were captured in 2020 summer survey. Low numbers of Black Crappie (3.08 fish/trapnet, 11.39 inches average) were captured in a 2022 mid-May trapnetting survey. The 2025 Black Crappie average size was large (0.85 pounds and 11.19 inches) from trapnets. The Black Crappie historical average weight is 0.38 pounds from trapnets. Black Crappie growth rates were above normal for ages 1-5. The 2023 Black Crappie year class comprised 57% of the 2025 Black Crappie catch. The largest Black Crappie captured was 13.50 inches in 2025.
Bluegill abundance was low in 2025 (1.67 fish/trapnet). The Bluegill historical average catch rate is 2.90 fish/trapnet for Long Lake. Moderate numbers of Bluegill (6.17 fish/trapnet, 6.09 inches average) were captured in the 2020 summer survey. Low numbers of Bluegill (0.58 fish/trapnet, 9.02 inches average) were captured in a 2022 mid-May trapnetting survey. The 2025 Bluegill average size was small (0.16 pounds and 5.20 inches) from trapnets. The Bluegill historical average weight is 0.14 pounds from trapnets. The Bluegill catch rate of quality size (6.00 inches and larger) was low (0.67 fish/trapnet). The largest Bluegill captured was 10.59 inches in 2025 trapnets.
Largemouth Bass abundance was high in 2021 post spawn (early June) spring electrofishing survey (60.5 fish/hour, 1.31 pounds average weight). Largemouth Bass abundance was low in 2014 post spawn spring electrofishing survey (12.81 fish/hour, 1.52 pounds average weight). No spring electrofishing survey was conducted for adult Largemouth Bass in 2025. Largemouth Bass were absent in the 2020 summer survey and 2025 gillnets and trapnets. Abundant numbers of yearling or young of year "YOY" Largemouth Bass were captured in 2020 nearshore survey sampling gear (seining and backpack electrofishing).
Northern Pike abundance moderate in 2025 (3.25 fish/gillnet), but above the historical average catch rate of 1.56 fish/gillnet for Long Lake. The 2025 Northern Pike average size was moderate (3.27 pounds and 24.15 inches) from gillnets. The Northern Pike historical average weight is 3.44 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of quality size (21.00 inches and larger) was moderate (3.00 fish/gillnet). The 2025 Northern Pike catch rate of 26.00 inches and larger was moderate (0.75 fish/gillnet). The largest Northern Pike captured was 34.33 inches.
Walleye abundance was high in 2025 (12.00 fish/gillnet). The Walleye historical average catch rate is 17.36 fish/gillnet for Long Lake. The 2025 Walleye average size was large (2.41 pounds and 18.41 inches) from gillnets. The Walleye historical average weight is 2.28 pounds from gillnets. The Walleye catch rate of preferred size (20.00 inches and larger) was high (4.25 fish/gillnet) in 2025. Walleye growth rates were above normal for ages 1-8. The 2025 Walleye summer catch was composed primarily of 2023 (31%), 2022 (23%), 2021 (9%) and 2020 (9%) year classes. Approximately 15% of the Walleye captured were 10 years and older from the 2025 summer catch. Walleye natural reproduction in Long Lake is frequent, but variable for year classes produced based on previous fall and summer surveys. The largest Walleye captured was 27.72 inches in 2025. Walleye fishing success and pressure (early summer and winter) was high during 2022-2024 in Long Lake. Fishing success was low during 2025 compared to 2022-2024.
A spring electrofishing survey was conducted to sample Walleye yearlings (2024 year class) in late April of 2025. Low numbers of yearling Walleye (6.00 fish/hour, 8.15 inches average) were captured in the 2025 spring electrofishing survey. Fair numbers of yearling Walleye (18.67 fish/hour, 6.86 inches average) were captured in a late April 2024 Spring electrofishing survey. There were abundant large sized young of year "YOY" Walleye numbers (natural reproduction) captured in 2020 (172.00 YOY/hour, 8.02 inches average) and 2021 (129.75 fish/hour, 7.76 inches average) fall night electrofishing surveys. Fall Walleye YOY abundance (100.00 YOY/hour, 5.42 inches) was high during a 2018 fry stocking year. Walleye fry were recently stocked (1.0-1.7 million fish per stocking) into Long Lake during 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018. No Walleye have been stocked into Long Lake after 2018. A high YOY Walleye fall catch rate due to natural reproduction occurred in 1995 (106.15 YOY/hour, 7.47 inches average length). The highest fall electrofishing catch rate of YOY Walleye during a fry stocking year occurred in 2013 (280.21 YOY/hour, 5.42 inches) for Long Lake. There is potential for Walleye movement between upstream Ringo Lake and Long Lake.
Yellow Perch abundance was low in 2025 (6.75 fish/gillnet). The Yellow Perch historical average catch rate is 8.82 fish/gillnet for Long Lake. The 2025 Yellow Perch average size was moderate (0.16 pounds and 6.99 inches) from gillnets. The Yellow Perch historical average weight is 0.17 pounds from gillnets. The 2025 catch rate of quality size (8.00 inches and larger) Yellow Perch was low (1.25 fish/gillnet). The largest Yellow Perch captured was 8.82 inches in 2025.
Black Bullhead abundance was low in 2025 (1.00 fish/gillnet). The Black Bullhead historical average catch rate is 92.95 fish/gillnet for Long Lake. Black Bullhead numbers have been generally low since 1991 due to the use of aeration and the establishment of a walleye population in Long Lake. Low numbers of Black Bullhead were caught in the 2025 trapnets (0.67 fish/trapnet). The 2025 Black Bullhead average sizes were large from trapnets (1.55 pounds and 13.59 inches) and gillnets (1.03 pounds and 10.86 inches). The Black Bullhead historical average weights were 0.62 pounds and 0.44 pounds from trapnets and gillnets respectively. The largest Black Bullhead captured was 15.75 inches in 2025. One large sized Brown Bullhead was captured in the 2025 trapnets (16.14 inches).
Common Carp abundance was low in 2025 (0.17 fish/trapnet). Low Common Carp numbers were captured in the 2025 gillnets (0.75 fish/gillnet, 9.81 pounds average). The Common Carp historical average catch rate is 1.71 fish/trapnet for Long Lake. The 2025 Common Carp average size was moderate (6.70 pounds and 24.41 inches) from trapnets. The Common Carp historical average weight is 6.87 pounds from 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 will be sampled annually in the spring for yearling Walleye by electrofishing and 2030 summer by gillnets and trapnets for all fish species.
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 (N) (trailer launch)
- Long Lake, Berg Beach (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Long Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Point Lake · 174 ac · 1.1 mi
- Eagle Lake · 850 ac · 2.1 mi
- Ringo Lake · 735 ac · 2.2 mi
- Henderson Lake · 75 ac · 2.9 mi
- East Solomon Lake · 658 ac · 3.3 mi
- Florida Lake · 705 ac · 3.7 mi
- George Lake · 228 ac · 3.9 mi
- Willmar Lake · 636 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Long Lake?
Long Lake reaches 16 ft at its deepest point; about 95% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Long Lake?
Long Lake covers 1,573 acres with about 12.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Long Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Long Lake average 6.7 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Long Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Long Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Long Lake have a public access?
Yes. Long Lake has 2 public access sites, including Long Lake (N) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Long Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 27"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2014.
When was Long Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Long Lake in 2025, the most recent of 18 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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