Minnesota · Crow Wing County
South Long Lake Fishing guide
South Long Lake is a 1,309-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 47 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers3.7per gill net16"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 97 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 67 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2022Lengths measured · 75 fish
2019Lengths measured · 8 fish
2019Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Largemouth bassFair numbers45.7per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 154 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 150 fish
2025Lengths measured · 4 fish
2022Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 162 fish
2019Lengths measured · 92 fish
2013Northern pikeJust a few4per gill net22"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 96 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 66 fish
2025Lengths measured · 30 fish
2022Lengths measured · 80 fish
2019Lengths measured · 93 fish
2013BluegillFair numbers28.6per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 376 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 361 fish
2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2022Lengths measured · 152 fish
2019Lengths measured · 279 fish
2013CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 5 fish
2025Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 44 fish
2019Lengths measured · 19 fish
2013Yellow perchGood numbers7.4per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 179 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 91 fish
2025Lengths measured · 88 fish
2022Lengths measured · 10 fish
2019Lengths measured · 27 fish
2013Rock bassExcellent numbers2.8per seine haul9"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 27 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2022Lengths measured · 12 fish
2019Lengths measured · 18 fish
2013Rates 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 South 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. On a lake that drops to 47 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
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. On a lake that drops to 47 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.
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 | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29" | 18" | 29" |
| 2022 | 26" | 16" | 37" |
| 2019 | 28" | 18" | 34" |
| 2013 | 28" | 19" | 30" |
| 2007 | 26" | 17" | 34" |
| 2004 | 27" | 17" | 36" |
| 1999 | 24" | 21" | 31" |
| 1994 | 25" | 18" | 34" |
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 · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
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 · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 600,000 fry · 15,274 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 17,893 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 22,128 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 600,000 fry · 19,399 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 19,589 fingerlings · 1,414 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
South Long is a 1,309 acre lake 9 miles southeast of the city of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Walleye is the primary management species, with the lake being stocked every other year (odd years) with 922 pounds of fingerlings. When surplus Walleye fry are available, up to 600,000 may be stocked; this last occurred in 2025. Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass are other species managed on this lake. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing was conducted in 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information.
The Walleye numbers (4.8 per net) were similar to the previous survey, with fish ranging from 7.8 to 26.4 inches. A big year class from 2022, a non-stocking year, is currently providing fish just shy of 15 inches.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike numbers (5.3 per net) were down from previous surveys, but still average for this type of lake. With the largest Pike measuring 29.6 inches, anglers probably won't be seeking trophy fish on South Long. About 40% of the fish were within the 22 to 26 inch protected slot, leaving a decent percentage of fish outside of the slot that are available for harvest.
The Largemouth Bass population still looks healthy, even with night electrofishing numbers (61.1 fish per hour) down from the last survey. A broad range of sizes were captured, with fish measuring 3.0 to 18.1 inches. With 45% of the fish measuring over 14 inches, anglers should be able to catch some decent Bass on South Long.
Panfish showed mixed results. Black Crappie numbers were below average, but all the fish caught were over 8 inches, with fish up to 11.7 inches captured. Bluegill numbers were average at 28.6 per net, but only 16% of the fish caught in the survey were over 7 inches, with 8.5 inches being the largest.
Other fish species sampled included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
South Long Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on South 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
- South Long Lake (trailer launch)
- South Long Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
South Long Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Upper South Long Lake · 804 ac · 3.5 mi
- Rice Lake · 418 ac · 8.2 mi
- Gilbert Lake · 357 ac · 8.9 mi
- Nokay Lake · 704 ac · 9.4 mi
- Perch Lake · 266 ac · 9.4 mi
- Portage Lake · 287 ac · 10 mi
- Round Lake · 130 ac · 10.2 mi
- Barbour Lake · 56 ac · 10.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is South Long Lake?
South Long Lake reaches 47 ft at its deepest point; about 35% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is South Long Lake?
South Long Lake covers 1,309 acres with about 9.8 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in South Long Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on South Long Lake average 6.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in South Long Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is South Long Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does South Long Lake have a public access?
Yes. South Long Lake has 2 public access sites, including South Long Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in South Long Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was South Long Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed South Long Lake in 2025, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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