What Long Lake Offers Anglers

Long Lake sits just south of Alpena in Montmorency County and is a shallow, weedy walleye and pike lake that rewards anglers who understand structure and timing. The lake runs roughly 3 miles long and averages 15 to 20 feet deep, with extensive weed beds that hold fish year-round but make summer fishing a puzzle. Walleye dominate the catch, especially in spring and fall when you can work the edges of the weeds and the deeper holes without fighting vegetation. Northern pike are present and can be substantial, though they're secondary to the walleye fishery here.

The character of Long Lake is tied to its shallowness and fertility. Weeds grow thick from June through September, which means summer requires either early morning and late evening work in the open water, or patience with heavy cover tactics. Spring and fall are the most forgiving seasons—the water clears, the weeds thin, and walleye move into predictable zones. Winter is productive too, especially for anglers who know where the deeper basins sit and can work live bait or jigging presentations through the ice.

Key Takeaways

  • Long Lake is a shallow walleye lake where weed growth dominates summer conditions, making spring and fall the most accessible seasons for most anglers.
  • Walleye congregate along weed edges and in the few deeper holes during low-light periods, so dawn and dusk fishing in summer produces better than midday.
  • Northern pike are present but less predictable than walleye; they often hold in the thickest weed cover and respond to larger presentations.
  • A Michigan fishing license is required, and the lake is open year-round for both open-water and ice fishing under standard state regulations.

Spring Walleye Fishing (April Through May)

Spring is the most straightforward time to fish Long Lake. As the ice clears and water temperatures climb into the 40s and 50s, walleye move shallow to feed before spawning. Work the weed edges in 8 to 15 feet of water with live shiners or small crankbaits, focusing on any hard bottom or slight depth change you can find. The northern and eastern shorelines tend to warm first, so start there if you're fishing early April.

Jigs tipped with live minnows are the workhorse presentation in spring. Cast parallel to weed lines rather than into them, and work slowly—walleye are not aggressive yet, and a crawling retrieve often outproduces faster work. If you have a depth finder, look for the transition zone where the weed bed drops off into deeper water; walleye often stage just outside that edge. Evening fishing is more consistent than morning in spring, as the sun warming the shallows pushes fish slightly deeper by midday.

Summer Fishing in Thick Weeds

Summer transforms Long Lake into a weed jungle, and most casual anglers find it frustrating. The lake's shallow profile and fertile water mean aquatic vegetation grows aggressively from June through August. If you're not prepared to fish early (before 8 a.m.) or late (after 8 p.m.), you'll spend more time clearing weeds than fishing. During those low-light windows, walleye move into the open pockets and edges to hunt, and that's when you can catch them consistently.

Heavy jigs (3/8 to 1/2 ounce) and live bait work better than crankbaits in summer because you can fish them vertically in the few open-water holes and along the weed edges without constant snagging. If you're willing to work thick cover, Texas-rigged soft plastics and weedless presentations can produce pike and larger walleye, but the learning curve is steep. Many anglers skip Long Lake in July and August and return in September when the weeds begin to thin and the lake becomes fishable again during normal daylight hours.

Fall Transition and Pike Opportunity (September Through October)

Fall is the second-best season on Long Lake, after spring. As water temperatures drop and weed growth slows, the lake opens up and walleye become aggressive. Shallow crankbaits and live bait presentations work throughout the day, not just at dawn and dusk. The walleye bite peaks in late September and early October before the water cools below 50 degrees, at which point they move deeper and feeding slows.

Fall is also when northern pike become more predictable. As the weeds thin, pike move into the remaining cover and the deeper holes, and they're hungry heading into winter. Larger presentations—bigger crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and live shiners—attract pike more reliably in fall than in summer. If you're targeting both species, fish walleye presentations in the morning and switch to pike gear in the afternoon when the sun is high and pike are more active in the remaining weed cover.

Winter Ice Fishing

Long Lake freezes reliably by late December and remains fishable through February. The shallow depth means ice-out can happen quickly in March, so check conditions before heading out. Winter walleye fishing centers on the deeper basins—the few holes that reach 25 to 30 feet—where fish congregate to conserve energy. Live shiners under a tip-up or jigging with live bait in 15 to 20 feet of water produces steady catches.

Pike are also present under the ice, though they're less predictable than walleye. Larger live bait and tip-ups set in the thickest weed areas (which you can identify by summer scouting) often produce pike. The advantage of winter fishing on Long Lake is that the weed problem disappears entirely, and you can fish the entire lake without the frustration of summer vegetation. Bring a hand auger or power auger to drill multiple holes and cover water efficiently.

Tackle and Presentation Basics

A 6- to 7-foot medium-light spinning rod with 6- to 8-pound monofilament or braided line handles most Long Lake situations. Walleye respond to live bait presentations—jigs tipped with shiners, minnows, or crawlers—and to small crankbaits in the 2- to 4-inch range. For pike, move up to 8- to 10-pound line and larger baits or lures. A quality depth finder is valuable on Long Lake because the weed beds and shallow structure are hard to read without one, and knowing where the deeper holes sit saves time and frustration.

Weedless presentations are worth learning if you plan to fish summer. Texas-rigged soft plastics, weedless spoons, and frogs allow you to work the thickest cover without constant snagging. However, if you're new to Long Lake, spring and fall fishing with standard jigs and live bait will teach you the lake's structure and fish behavior more quickly than fighting weeds in summer.

Access and Regulations

Long Lake has a public boat launch on the south end, accessible via Nicholson Hill Road south of Alpena. The launch is small and can be crowded on weekends, especially in spring. A Michigan fishing license is required for all anglers 17 and older. Walleye and pike are subject to standard Michigan daily bag limits and size restrictions, which vary by species and season—check the current Michigan Department of Natural Resources fishing guide before you go, as regulations can change year to year.

The lake is open year-round for both open-water and ice fishing. No special permits are needed beyond the standard fishing license. Parking at the launch is limited, so arrive early on weekends. The surrounding area is quiet and rural, with few services nearby, so bring fuel, food, and water with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Lake better for walleye or pike?

Walleye are the primary fishery and more consistent to catch. Pike are present and can be large, but they're less predictable and less abundant. If you're targeting one species, focus on walleye; if you want a chance at both, fish walleye presentations in spring and fall, then switch to pike gear in summer and winter.

Can I fish Long Lake in summer, or should I skip it?

You can fish it, but you need to commit to early morning or late evening fishing to avoid the weed problem. If you prefer fishing during normal daylight hours, spring and fall are much more forgiving. Many anglers fish Long Lake in spring and fall, then move to other lakes in summer.

What's the best bait for walleye on Long Lake?

Live shiners and small minnows are the most reliable. Crawlers work too, especially in spring. Pair them with a 1/8- to 3/8-ounce jig and fish slowly along weed edges and depth changes. Crankbaits work in spring and fall but are less effective in summer due to weed interference.

Do I need a boat to fish Long Lake?

A boat is helpful because the lake is 3 miles long and structure is spread out, but shore fishing is possible near the launch and along accessible shoreline. Most productive fishing requires reaching the weed edges and deeper holes, which is easier from a boat.

When does the ice go out on Long Lake?

Ice-out typically occurs in late March or early April, depending on the winter. Check local conditions or call the Alpena area chamber of commerce before planning an ice fishing trip in late March. The shallow depth means the lake can open quickly once temperatures warm.