Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Upper South Long Lake Fishing guide
Upper South Long Lake is a 804-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 47 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 8.5 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.3per gill net17"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 36 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 36 fish
2025Lengths measured · 23 fish
2019Lengths measured · 84 fish
2013Lengths measured · 77 fish
2007Largemouth bassFair numbers39per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 133 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 133 fish
2025Lengths measured · 104 fish
2019Lengths measured · 132 fish
2013Lengths measured · 153 fish
2007Northern pikeJust a few1.6per gill net24"Typical32"Biggest
Lengths measured · 21 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 21 fish
2025Lengths measured · 68 fish
2019Lengths measured · 40 fish
2013Lengths measured · 44 fish
2007BluegillJust a few18.1per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 222 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 222 fish
2025Lengths measured · 261 fish
2019Lengths measured · 159 fish
2013Lengths measured · 445 fish
2007CrappieJust a few1per trap net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 22 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 22 fish
2025Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 84 fish
2013Lengths measured · 86 fish
2007Yellow perchGood numbers6.7per gill net5"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 80 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 80 fish
2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2019Lengths measured · 8 fish
2013Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 39 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 Upper 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 | 28" | 18" | 32" |
| 2019 | 25" | 18" | 34" |
| 2013 | 30" | 18" | 36" |
| 2007 | 20" | 17" | 30" |
| 2004 | 27" | 19" | 32" |
| 1999 | 23" | 17" | 33" |
| 1994 | 22" | 15" | 27" |
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 | 300,000 fry · 5,325 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,961 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 5,644 fingerlings · 185 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 300,000 fry · 6,522 fingerlings · 508 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 30 fingerlings · 1,256 yearlings · 13 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Upper South Long is an 804 acre lake 10 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 283 pounds of fingerlings. When surplus Walleye fry are available, up to 300,000 may be stocked; this last occurred in 2025. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie are other species managed on this lake. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing was conducted in July 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information.
The Walleye numbers (2.3 per net) were the highest since 1999. With 57% of the fish measuring over 15 inches and fish up to 28.3 inches sampled, anglers should have a good chance for some quality fish.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Northern Pike numbers (1.6 per net) were the lowest since 1994. Upper South Long is lacking the typical "hammer handle" population that many of the area lakes possess. With fish measuring 21.9 to 29.9 inches, anglers have a great chance at some medium size pike.
The Largemouth Bass population still looks good, even with night electrofishing numbers (60 fish per hour) down from last time. A broad range of sizes was captured, with fish ranging from 4.4 to 18.9 inches. With 57% of the fish measuring over 14 inches, there is potential to catch nice fish.
Panfish numbers were average for this type of lake, but size didn't offer much for anglers. Only 14% of the Bluegills were over 7 inches and only 31% of the Black Crappies were over 8 inches. Bluegill maxed out at 8.2 inches and the largest Black Crappie was 10.9 inches.
Other fish species sampled included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Upper South Long Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Upper 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
- Upper South Long Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Upper South Long Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- South Long Lake · 1,309 ac · 3.5 mi
- Nokay Lake · 704 ac · 5.9 mi
- Portage Lake · 287 ac · 6.6 mi
- Hanks Lake · 165 ac · 7.3 mi
- Rice Lake · 418 ac · 7.9 mi
- Crooked Lake · 463 ac · 7.9 mi
- Barbour Lake · 56 ac · 8.4 mi
- Clearwater Lake · 906 ac · 8.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Upper South Long Lake?
Upper South Long Lake reaches 47 ft at its deepest point; about 35% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Upper South Long Lake?
Upper South Long Lake covers 804 acres with about 6.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Upper South Long Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Upper South Long Lake average 8.5 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Upper South Long Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Upper South Long Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Upper South Long Lake have a public access?
Yes. Upper South Long Lake has one public access site: Upper South Long Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Upper South Long Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Upper South Long Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Upper South Long Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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