Long Lake near Shell Lake: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Long Lake is listed under Washburn County, Wisconsin. This is mixed forest country. Around 5.1 sq miles of open water: conditions change from one end to the other. The outline measures near 38 miles, so a boat opens up water the bank never reaches. By surface area it heads our Washburn County listings. Shell Lake sits 12 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Saint Paul is the closest city, 87 miles away. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Long Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Washburn County, recorded fish include largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, yellow perch and walleye. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Long Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 68°F in July and bottoms out near 9°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. On average, mid April opens the water and late November closes it again. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Plan around that when you fish Long Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Records list it as a dammed water rather than a natural one, which shows in the shape of the basin. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Bass Lake is 1.1 miles off. Ask locally about Long Lake if anything is unclear.