Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest September 11, 2025
North Long Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at North Long Lake average 15.01 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 27 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–25 inches. In Crow Wing County, Minnesota, North Long Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 15.1 feet of visibility, and there are 2 public boat landings. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at North Long Lake
18 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at North Long Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
2 public boat landings are recorded on North Long Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at North Long Lake average 15.01 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 27 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–25 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades North Long Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
27 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-09-11 (Targeted Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Spottail Shiner | 44.97 | — |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 38.26 | — |
| Bluegill | 30.71 | 0.16 lb |
| Walleye | 15.01 | 1.51 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 13.13 | 0.78 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Walleye
Largemouth Bass
From the 2025-09-11 survey
North Long Lake is stocked annually with 3.9 million Walleye fry. Fingerling stocking is done on a contingency basis as needed or as surplus when fish are available and was last done in 2024. Night electrofishing was conducted on September 11th, 2025, to monitor the abundance of young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleyes. Total…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for North Long Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — North LongFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — North Long (0444)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — North LongFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — North LongPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in North Long Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at North Long Lake average 15.01 walleye per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 27 surveys. The most recent is a Targeted Survey dated September 11, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 5–25 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 18 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was North Long Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for North Long Lake is dated September 11, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is North Long Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for North Long Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how North Long Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades North Long Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near North Long Lake
Top-rated places to stay near North Long Lake
Planning a trip to North Long Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near North Long Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.