This Visit Brainerd Lake Profiles is North Long Lake, with adjoining bays; locally known as “371 Bay” on the west side and “Merrifield Bay” in the east side of the main lake. Also a popular lake for recreation and great fishing opportunities, this lake hosts seven resorts/campgrounds! North Long Lake is 6,190 acres, has a maximum depth of 97 feet and water clarity of nearly 12 feet. Common target species of fish include walleyes, largemouth bass, northern pike, black crappies, and bluegill/sunfish. The bays are common locations to target bass and panfish, and the main lake is a great area to search out walleyes and northern pike (although the entire lake holds all these species).
Status of the Fishery excerpt from the MN Department of Natural Resources (7/23/2018):
– Walleyes are one of the more popular species on North Long. Walleyes are stocked annually as fry (3,900,000/year). Average length was 15.7″, and walleyes ranged from 10.4″ to 23.7″.
-Northern pike were sampled in average numbers with an average length of 20.1″. Northern pike ranged from 9.8″ to 28.7″.
-Largemouth bass were sampled in high numbers and average length was 11.6″.
-Black crappies were sampled in average numbers with an average length of 8-9.2″.
-Bluegills were sampled in average numbers with an average length of 4.6″, although larger fish are in the system. 
North Long Lake is a great lake to target multiple species of fish whether under the ice or in a boat! North Long Lake is one more reason to get out and enjoy the outdoors, and another reason to Visit Brainer d! Happy Hawg Hunting!
