What You'll Find at Long Lake

Long Lake sits just outside Detroit Lakes and runs shallow across most of its basin—rarely deeper than 20 feet, with extensive weed beds and a soft bottom. The lake holds walleye, northern pike, and panfish, but it plays differently than the main lakes in the Detroit Lakes chain. Walleye here are catchable year-round, but they're not the aggressive biters you'll find in deeper, clearer water. Pike fishing can be excellent, especially in spring and fall when they move into the shallows to hunt.

The character of Long Lake is defined by vegetation. Cabbage beds, coontail, and wild rice dominate the structure, which means your presentations have to work around cover rather than through open water. Summer can be thick—almost too thick for conventional casting. Winter ice-out happens earlier than the deeper lakes nearby, usually by late March or early April, which opens a short but productive walleye window before the weeds fully green up.

Key Takeaways

  • Long Lake is a shallow, weedy system best suited to anglers comfortable working heavy vegetation and adjusting presentations on the fly.
  • Walleye bite steadily but softly; live bait under a slip bobber or slow jigging along weed edges produces more consistently than casting.
  • Pike fishing peaks in spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) when they hunt the shallow flats and weed transitions.
  • Summer weed growth can limit casting room, so focus on defined edges, channels, and any deeper pockets rather than trying to fish the thickest cover.
  • A Minnesota fishing license covers Long Lake; check current regulations for walleye and pike before you fish.

Walleye Tactics for Shallow, Weedy Water

Walleye in Long Lake respond better to patience than aggression. The shallow basin means fish don't have to move far to find food, so they're often stationary in the thickest cover. Live bait—shiners, chubs, or crawlers—under a slip bobber positioned 3 to 5 feet above bottom works consistently, especially along the edges where weeds meet open water. Set your bobber to keep the bait just above the vegetation; walleye will rise to take it rather than dig through dense cover.

Jigging is equally effective if you can find defined structure. Work the deeper pockets—the 15- to 20-foot holes scattered through the lake—with a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jig tipped with a minnow or leech. The bite is often subtle; you're feeling for weight rather than a hard strike. Early morning and late evening produce better than midday, though Long Lake's shallow depth means fish can feed throughout the day if conditions are right. Overcast days and periods of wind typically outfish calm, bright conditions.

Pike Fishing in Spring and Fall

Northern pike in Long Lake are aggressive hunters, and the shallow flats make them accessible to anglers willing to cast. Spring—April through May—is the prime window. Pike move into the shallows to spawn and feed heavily before and after. Cast large swimbaits (4 to 6 inches), spinnerbaits, or soft plastics along the weed edges and in any channels that cut through the vegetation. Retrieve steadily and be ready for a violent strike; pike in shallow water don't hesitate.

Fall (September through October) mirrors spring in intensity. Water temperature drops, pike become more active, and they hunt the shallow flats again as baitfish concentrate. The same presentations work, but you can also throw topwater early and late in the day for explosive surface strikes. Summer pike fishing is possible but slower; fish retreat to the deepest available water and the densest weed cover, making them harder to locate and present to.

Seasonal Patterns and Timing

Long Lake's ice-out typically occurs by late March or early April, earlier than deeper lakes in the chain. The first two weeks after ice-out are productive for walleye; the water is cool, fish are hungry, and they haven't yet retreated into the thickest weed growth. This is a short window—by mid-April, vegetation begins to accelerate and fishing becomes more technical.

Summer (June through August) is the most challenging season. Weeds are at their peak, water temperatures climb into the 70s, and walleye become lethargic in the shallows. Pike remain active, but finding them requires patience and a willingness to fish heavy cover. Fall (September through October) is excellent for both species as water cools and fish become aggressive again. Winter fishing is steady but slow; walleye bite under the ice, but presentations are subtle and success depends on finding the deeper pockets and channels.

Gear and Tackle for Weedy Water

A medium-power spinning rod (6 to 6.5 feet) with 8- to 10-pound braided line is ideal for Long Lake. Braid cuts through vegetation better than monofilament and gives you better feel in heavy cover. For walleye, keep your jig selection light—1/8 to 1/4 ounce—so it falls slowly through the water column and doesn't snag bottom as easily. Slip bobbers let you fish live bait at precise depths without constant casting.

Pike fishing benefits from heavier tackle. A 6.5- to 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 15- to 20-pound braid handles larger lures and gives you the backbone to set the hook in a pike's hard mouth. Swimbaits in the 4- to 6-inch range, spinnerbaits with Colorado or willow-leaf blades, and soft plastics (8 to 10 inches) all produce. Bring a net; pike in shallow water can thrash and throw the hook if you try to hand-land them.

Where to Fish Long Lake

Long Lake has public access via a boat launch on the north shore, accessible from County Road 16. The launch is modest—a single-lane concrete ramp with limited parking—so arrive early during weekends. The lake is roughly 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, making it manageable to explore in a day. Focus on the weed edges along the eastern and western shorelines; these transitions hold both walleye and pike consistently.

The deeper pockets (15 to 20 feet) scattered through the basin hold walleye, especially during summer. A GPS unit or mapping app helps you locate these holes without spending hours searching. The northern end of the lake tends to be shallower and weedier; the southern end has slightly more open water and is often easier to fish when vegetation is thick. Don't overlook the channels that cut through the weed beds—these natural highways concentrate fish and make them easier to find.

Regulations and Licensing

Long Lake is in Minnesota, so you'll need a Minnesota fishing license. Walleye and pike are regulated species; check the current Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations for size limits, bag limits, and any seasonal restrictions before you fish. Regulations can change year to year, and some waters have special rules. The DNR website has a searchable database by lake name, or you can call the Detroit Lakes area office directly.

Catch-and-release is encouraged on Long Lake, especially for pike. The shallow basin means the population is sensitive to harvest pressure. If you keep walleye for dinner, keep smaller fish (under 15 inches) and release larger ones; they're the breeding stock that keeps the fishery healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Lake good for beginners?

Long Lake rewards patience more than skill, which can suit beginners willing to slow down and fish live bait. The shallow water means fish are accessible, and you don't need expensive electronics to find them. The heavy vegetation does require some adjustment—you'll snag bottom and weeds—but that's part of learning to fish shallow systems. Start with a slip bobber and shiners; it's forgiving and productive.

Can you fish Long Lake in winter?

Yes. Ice typically forms by December and lasts through March. Walleye bite under the ice, though the bite is slower than open water. Fish the deeper pockets with small jigging spoons tipped with minnows or live shiners. Tip-ups with live bait also work. Check ice thickness before you venture out—Long Lake's shallow basin means ice can be uneven.

What's the best time of year to visit Long Lake?

Spring (April through May) and fall (September through October) are most productive and most enjoyable. Water temperatures are moderate, weeds aren't at their peak, and both walleye and pike are actively feeding. Summer is possible but requires more effort and patience. Winter is steady but slow.

Do I need a boat to fish Long Lake?

A boat makes Long Lake easier to fish, but shore fishing is possible. The public access area on the north shore has some shoreline, and you can walk the banks in places. A small boat or canoe lets you reach the weed edges and deeper pockets more efficiently. If you don't have a boat, focus on the access area and nearby shoreline; walleye and pike do move into shallow water, especially early and late in the day.

What should I bring for a day at Long Lake?

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water—the shallow basin offers little shade. Pack live bait (shiners or crawlers) in a bait bucket with an aerator. Bring multiple tackle boxes; you'll snag weeds and lose lures. A net is essential for pike. If you're boating, wear a life jacket and bring a kill switch lanyard. Weather can change quickly on shallow lakes, so check the forecast before you go.