Long Lake Fishing near Crosby, Minnesota

• Overview

  Crow Wing County, Minnesota, is where Long Lake sits. The bank is 1,220 feet above sea level. The water covers some 31 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. Bank access stretches around 1.4 miles in total. Crosby lies 5.6 miles from the water. Aitkin is 7.5 miles and Crosslake 18 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. County-wide records name largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Long Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 69°F and January about 7°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. Plan any trip to Long Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Should this one be busy, Larson Lake is 0.9 miles off. Treat Long Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.