South Long Lake Fishing Tips
South Long Lake offers anglers excellent opportunities to catch walleyes, bass, northern pike, and panfish within the Brainerd Lakes Area.
Anglers looking to learn the lake faster or increase their chances of success can book a trip with The Fish Guyd Guide Service, which guides anglers across many of the top fishing lakes near Brainerd.
Resorts Nearby
Clearwater Lake Resort
Cuyuna Lakes Stay
Ruttger's Bay Lake Resort
Nearby Lakes
Rabbit Lake
Serpent Lake
Bay Lake
Borden Lake
Nokay Lake
Cross Lake
Mission LAKE
Mille Lacs Lake
Species We Target
Walleye
Northern Pike
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Panfish
South Long Lake Fishery Summary
The South Long Lake Chain consists of two connected lakes—South Long Lake and Upper South Long Lake—located about seven miles southeast of Brainerd in Crow Wing County. Together these lakes provide more than 2,100 acres of fishable water and are a popular destination for anglers in the Brainerd Lakes Area.
South Long Lake is the larger of the two basins, covering approximately 1,309 acres, while Upper South Long adds another 804 acres. Both lakes reach depths of about 47 feet and feature a mix of shallow vegetation, weed beds, and deeper basin structure. Water clarity typically ranges from 6–7 feet, which supports healthy aquatic vegetation including bulrush, lily pads, and submerged plant beds.
These lakes support a diverse fishery including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie, and bluegill. The presence of abundant vegetation and shallow spawning habitat helps maintain strong populations of warm-water species.
South Long Lake Survery Information
South Long Lake
South Long Lake covers approximately 1,309 acres with about 461 acres of littoral habitat. Roughly 35% of the lake is 15 feet deep or less, providing important spawning and feeding areas for many fish species.
DNR Survey Highlights
Walleye
Walleyes are stocked as 5–6 inch fingerlings every other year, and additional fry stockings have occurred when surplus fish are available from the Brainerd DNR hatchery.
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 4.0 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 17.5 inches
79% measured at least 12 inches
Largest sampled fish: 28.3 inches
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 6.0 per gill net
Average length: 22.9 inches
44% of fish were within the protected 22–26 inch slot
8% measured 26 inches or larger
South Long follows the North Central Zone northern pike regulations:
Possession limit of 10 pike
No more than 2 fish over 26 inches
All fish between 22–26 inches must be released
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 127.5 fish per hour
Average length: 12.0 inches
56% of fish were 12 inches or larger
Gill net sampling also showed:
Catch rate: 2.1 per net
Average length: 13.1 inches
Black Crappie
Catch rate: 2.4 per gill net
Catch rate: 1.3 per trap net
Average length: about 8 inches
41% were at least 8 inches
Bluegill
Catch rate: 8.8 per trap net
Average length: 4.9 inches
Only 5% measured 7 inches or larger
Upper South Long Lake
Upper South Long Lake covers approximately 804 acres and includes 283 acres of littoral habitat. The lake reaches depths of about 47 feet and has similar water clarity and habitat types as South Long.
DNR Survey Highlights
Walleye
Walleyes are stocked as fingerlings during odd-numbered years.
Survey results showed:
Catch rate: 1.1 walleyes per gill net
Average length: 15.8 inches
85% of fish were at least 12 inches
Northern Pike
Catch rate: 5.6 per gill net
Average length: 25.0 inches
27% of fish were larger than the 22–26 inch slot
Largemouth Bass
Electrofishing catch rate: 94.3 fish per hour
Average length: 11.4 inches
48% of fish measured at least 12 inches
Fish up to 17.5 inches
Panfish
Bluegill and crappie populations tend to run smaller in Upper South Long.
Average bluegill length: 5.2 inches
Only 4% measured 7 inches or larger
18% of black crappies were at least 8 inches
South Long Lake Fishing Tips
Spring Fishing
(Water Temps: 38–55°F)
Spring fishing begins shortly after ice-out when fish move shallow to spawn and feed.
Best Spring Areas
Shallow bays warming quickly in the sun
Bulrush and lily pad shorelines
Channel areas between the lakes
Wind-blown shorelines
Spring Techniques
Jigging with minnows along shallow breaks
Slip bobber fishing near emerging vegetation
Casting shallow crankbaits along rocky areas
Recommended Lures
1/8–1/4 oz jigs with fathead or shiner minnows
Slip bobbers with leeches
Shallow crankbaits
Trophy Walleye
Summer Fishing
(Water Temps: 60–75°F)
During summer, fish often hold along weed edges and deeper structure.
Best Summer Areas
Weedlines in 10–18 feet
Mid-lake humps
Rock points and shoreline breaks
Basin edges where baitfish gather
Summer Techniques
Live bait rigging for walleyes along deeper breaks
Slow trolling spinner rigs
Pitching soft plastics for bass
Recommended Lures
Lindy rigs with crawlers or leeches
Spinner harnesses
Texas-rigged plastics
Ned rigs or drop-shot rigs
Bass fishing can be especially productive during summer.
Trophy Walleye
Fall Fishing
(Water Temps: 40–60°F)
Fall fishing can be excellent as predator fish feed aggressively before winter.
Best Fall Areas
Rock points and steep breaklines
Remaining weed beds
Basin edges where baitfish concentrate
Fall Techniques
Jigging large minnows along structure
Casting crankbaits along rocky shorelines
Vertical jigging deeper breaks
Recommended Lures
Jig and minnow combinations
Blade baits
Deep diving crankbaits
Suspending jerkbaits
Client with
Big Largemouth Bass
Winter Fishing (Ice Fishing)
The South Long chain provides winter opportunities for walleyes, pike, and panfish.
Best Winter Areas
Basin edges in 18–30 feet
Suspended crappies over deeper water
Weedlines in 10–15 feet
Winter Techniques
Jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads
Deadstick rods with live minnows
Tip-ups along weed edges for northern pike
Recommended Ice Lures
Jigging spoons
Jigging raps
Tungsten jigs with waxworms
Tip-ups with sucker minnows
Winter Northern Pike
Trophy South Long Lake Area Fish
We cover a large area in Central Minnesota, if you have any questions about a certain lake or a certain species of fish don’t hesitate to call. We are very accommodating and can come up with a plan to make any sort of trip work. If you need multiple boats we are also able to get more guides to handle larger group trips! Our goal is to make your fishing trip easy, comfortable, and full of fish catching excitement!