Longs Lake in Morrison County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Within Morrison County, Minnesota, you have Longs Lake. The setting is lake country bush on every side. Around 60 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. Shoreline comes to about 1.5 miles, small enough to learn in a day. Staples is the closest town at 16 miles. Little Falls is 17 miles away, with Baxter at 19 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Longs Lake

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Species logged across Morrison County include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, black crappie and yellow perch. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Anyone new to Longs Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 69°F in July and bottoms out near 8°F in January. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about mid April until roughly late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. It holds true on Longs Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Canton Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. For Longs Lake in particular, ask before you travel.