How to Fish Long Lake (MN): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Long Lake (MN)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Long Lake (MN)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter depths to transitional structure as water warms Feeding actively but methodically, with increased activity during warmer afternoons Relating heavily to the first available cover near spawning flats	Points and transitions adjacent to spawning flats Shallow docks providing early season warming zones Areas where emerging lily pad stems are beginning to appear	Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along points	Bluegill in shallow warming areas Small baitfish around points and transitions	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-62	Pre-spawn crappies staging along gradual slopes, moving from deeper water towards shallow spawning areas Actively feeding on insects during warming trends, particularly during afternoon hours	West side of south point, transitioning from 10 feet to shoreline Shallow protected coves with gradual slopes Submerged vegetation edges near shoreline transitions	Bobbers with split shot and jig, adjusting depth from deep to shallow Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) along depth transitions Hover/Mid-Strolling along staging areas	Insects, particularly emerging aquatic insects in warming shallows Small minnows moving into warming shoreline areas	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Pre-spawn walleyes staging in transitional areas between wintering holes and spawning grounds, becoming increasingly active with warming water Fish actively feeding during low-light periods, but remaining catchable during daylight due to stained water conditions	Rocky points and shallow gravel areas adjacent to deeper wintering areas Transitional areas where emerging vegetation meets harder bottom Wind-swept shorelines with developing weed growth	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitional areas Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with occasional snap-jigging retrieves Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation	Small bluegills concentrated in warming shallows Emerging crayfish becoming more active with warming water Young-of-year perch in shallow vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Actively seeking spawning areas in shallow protected pockets, particularly around lily pads and docks Males guarding nests while females stage on nearby drop-offs and points Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites	Protected shallow bays with lily pad fields Areas between docks with moderate depth transitions Points and pockets with firm bottom composition	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and beds Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for pre-spawn females Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations	Bluegill moving shallow for their own spawn Small crawfish becoming active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	55-65	Crappies are moving shallow (2-10 feet) staging for spawn, with most active fish relating to warming shoreline areas and vegetation Fish become increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise, transitioning from suspended patterns to structure-oriented behavior	West side of south point in 10 feet transitioning to shore, focusing on gradual slopes Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation	Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near vegetation Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) for active fish Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly through staging areas	Emerging aquatic insects Small minnows in warming shallows Zooplankton in vegetation edges	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	42-52	Walleye moving into shallow areas (2-6 feet) with gravel or rocky substrate for spawning Males arrive first and stay longer, with females moving in during peak spawn then quickly returning to deeper water Post-spawn fish transition to nearby points and shoreline breaks to recover and begin feeding	Rock and gravel shorelines in 2-6 foot depth range Points with mixed rock and gravel substrate Shallow bays with firm bottom adjacent to deeper water	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along bottom Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with lightweight jigs Blade Baits worked with slow, subtle movements	Small Minnows Juvenile Bluegill Newly Emerging Invertebrates	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby feeding zones Fish are utilizing vegetation edges and dock areas as primary ambush points, especially during morning and evening periods	Edges of lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water Dock areas with access to both shallow and deeper water Points and transitions near spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along vegetation edges Spinnerbaits parallel to dock lines and through gaps in vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating active fish	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to slightly deeper water, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are suspending near submerged vegetation and structure in 8-15 foot depth range, moving between feeding zones throughout the day	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-12 feet of water Secondary points with gradual slopes leading to deeper water Rock piles and ledges near spawning flats	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Hover/Mid-Strolling Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Emerging aquatic insects Small minnows Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	48-62	Walleye in post-spawn are aggressively feeding to recover energy, taking advantage of shallow feeding opportunities in low-light and overcast conditions Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and early summer locations, using points and vegetation edges as migration routes	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays where walleye stage during post-spawn recovery Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range Shallow flats with scattered vegetation where walleye pursue baitfish	Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions from spawning areas to deeper water Jig and minnow combinations worked around emerging vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods	Young of year bluegill in emerging vegetation Minnow species moving shallow with warming water Small perch in transitional areas	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-82	Actively feeding around shallow cover, especially during early morning, evening, and after weather changes. Storm fronts trigger aggressive topwater feeding behavior. Bass are holding tight to vegetation edges and isolated cover, ambushing bluegill. They show willingness to chase reaction baits and strike aggressively on the surface.	Lily pad fields and their edges, particularly isolated pad clusters Docks with adjacent vegetation Points and shoreline transitions with cover	Frogs/Toads worked over and around lily pads Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) into thick cover and pad pockets Spinnerbaits along pad edges and transitions	Bluegill concentrated around shallow vegetation Young-of-year panfish in pad fields	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-82	Transitioning to deeper water due to thermal stratification, suspended in the water column near structure Feeding patterns shift to early morning and late evening due to summer heat	Deep weed edges near submerged ledges in 12-15 feet Suspended near deep rock piles in 15-20 feet Shaded areas under docks during midday	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Dock Shooting	Aquatic insects concentrated near vegetation Small baitfish relating to weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Walleye	72-78	Walleye are transitioning to deeper, cooler water due to summer temperatures, utilizing points with adjacent deep water as primary feeding stations Despite warm surface temperatures (76°F), the stained water (3.6ft visibility) allows walleye to remain active during daylight hours	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near the thermocline Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly where bluegill populations are concentrated Deep water areas near complex shoreline features where baitfish gather	Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) Live Bait Rigs Trolling Mid Depth (10-19')	Bluegill Young-of-year perch Small baitfish utilizing weed edges	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Fall Fishing Guide for Long Lake (MN)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Bass are transitioning from shallow summer patterns to deeper staging areas, actively feeding to build up reserves for winter Fish becoming more aggressive during feeding windows, especially during overcast conditions or after cold fronts Moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper water, with increased activity around remaining vegetation	Lily pad edges with access to deeper water Points and transitions near vegetation Docks, especially those near depth changes	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly through remaining vegetation Spinnerbaits on cloudy days or around vegetation edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along transition areas	Insects moving more slowly in cooling water Bluegill concentrated around remaining vegetation Baitfish schools beginning to group up	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	45-60	Crappies are schooling in deep basin areas, suspending over soft bottom areas around 30 feet, showing as distinct 'Christmas tree' formations on electronics Feeding primarily on insects, with fish becoming more concentrated in specific deep-water locations as water temperatures cool	Deep basin areas with soft bottom in 30 feet of water Submerged vegetation edges where they transition to deeper water Deep ledges adjacent to summer feeding areas	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Hover/Mid-Strolling Crappie Spider Rigging	Small aquatic insects Zooplankton	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Fall	Walleye	48-65	Walleye actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, following baitfish schools and responding to cooling water temperatures Moving between deep structure and shallower feeding areas, particularly during low light periods Exhibiting more aggressive feeding behavior as water temperatures drop into preferred range	Main lake points with access to deep water Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper basin Mid-depth flats adjacent to deeper water	Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges and points Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are concentrated Live Bait Rigs with minnows near deep structure	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges Young-of-year perch schooling in open water Minnow species staging in deeper water	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappies suspending in deeper basin areas near soft bottom, typically schooling tightly in 25-30 foot depths Fish become less active during cold fronts but maintain feeding windows during stable weather, especially during low-light periods	Deep basin areas with soft bottom in 25-30 foot range Transition areas between deep basin and structure in 15-20 foot range Deep edges of submerged vegetation where it meets the basin	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Damiki Rig Ice Fishing Jigs	Small insects and larvae near bottom Suspended juvenile baitfish Zooplankton in water column	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Walleye	45-55	During late fall/early winter, walleye will be actively feeding to build energy reserves, often relating to deeper structural elements but making feeding moves to shallower areas Low light periods remain prime feeding windows, but the stained water (1.1m secchi) allows for activity throughout the day	Deep water adjacent to points, particularly those near the main lake basin Deeper edges of weed lines where vegetation is beginning to die off Channel edges and breaks leading to deeper water	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Blade Baits Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+)	Bluegills concentrating in deeper water Remaining baitfish schools in deeper water columns	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappies are suspending near drop-offs in consistent intervals, showing active feeding patterns at 18 ft depths Schools are holding in deep basin areas with periodic movements to feed, typical of winter pattern behavior	Drop-offs near rock piles at 18 ft depth Deep basin areas with soft bottom Transition areas between rock structure and basin	Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging followed by pause Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly with live bait Damiki Rig for suspended fish	Small insects and larvae Tiny minnows	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Ice	Walleye	34-39	Walleye concentrate in predictable areas during ice season, typically relating to key structural elements and forage locations Low light periods (dawn/dusk) remain prime feeding windows, but the stained water (1.1m clarity) allows for activity throughout the day Fish typically school more tightly in winter, following primary forage (bluegill) movements	Points adjacent to deep water basins where walleye stage for feeding movements Edges of remaining vegetation in 8-15 foot range where bluegill concentrate Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements, especially effective with live bait Ice Fishing Spoons jigged aggressively during prime feeding periods Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along depth transitions with large minnows	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation Small perch groups roaming transition areas Minnow species relating to points and transitions	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Long Lake (MN)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Points and transitions adjacent to spawning flats	Shallow docks providing early season warming zones
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	West side of south point, transitioning from 10 feet to shoreline	Shallow protected coves with gradual slopes
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Rocky points and shallow gravel areas adjacent to deeper wintering areas	Transitional areas where emerging vegetation meets harder bottom
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with lily pad fields	Areas between docks with moderate depth transitions
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	West side of south point in 10 feet transitioning to shore, focusing on gradual slopes	Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Rock and gravel shorelines in 2-6 foot depth range	Points with mixed rock and gravel substrate
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Edges of lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water	Dock areas with access to both shallow and deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-12 feet of water	Secondary points with gradual slopes leading to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays where walleye stage during post-spawn recovery	Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad fields and their edges, particularly isolated pad clusters	Docks with adjacent vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Deep weed edges near submerged ledges in 12-15 feet	Suspended near deep rock piles in 15-20 feet
Summer	Walleye	Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those near the thermocline	Weed edges adjacent to deeper water, particularly where bluegill populations are concentrated
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Lily pad edges with access to deeper water	Points and transitions near vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Deep basin areas with soft bottom in 30 feet of water	Submerged vegetation edges where they transition to deeper water
Fall	Walleye	Main lake points with access to deep water	Deep weed edges where vegetation meets deeper basin
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas with soft bottom in 25-30 foot range	Transition areas between deep basin and structure in 15-20 foot range
Winter	Walleye	Deep water adjacent to points, particularly those near the main lake basin	Deeper edges of weed lines where vegetation is beginning to die off
Ice	Crappie	Drop-offs near rock piles at 18 ft depth	Deep basin areas with soft bottom
Ice	Walleye	Points adjacent to deep water basins where walleye stage for feeding movements	Edges of remaining vegetation in 8-15 foot range where bluegill concentrate

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow warming areas	Small baitfish around points and transitions
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Insects, particularly emerging aquatic insects in warming shallows	Small minnows moving into warming shoreline areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Small bluegills concentrated in warming shallows	Emerging crayfish becoming more active with warming water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving shallow for their own spawn	Small crawfish becoming active in warming waters
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Emerging aquatic insects	Small minnows in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Small Minnows	Juvenile Bluegill
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Emerging aquatic insects	Small minnows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Young of year bluegill in emerging vegetation	Minnow species moving shallow with warming water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around shallow vegetation	Young-of-year panfish in pad fields
Summer	Crappie	Aquatic insects concentrated near vegetation	Small baitfish relating to weed edges
Summer	Walleye	Bluegill	Young-of-year perch
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Insects moving more slowly in cooling water	Bluegill concentrated around remaining vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Small aquatic insects	Zooplankton
Fall	Walleye	Bluegills congregating near remaining weed edges	Young-of-year perch schooling in open water
Winter	Crappie	Small insects and larvae near bottom	Suspended juvenile baitfish
Winter	Walleye	Bluegills concentrating in deeper water	Remaining baitfish schools in deeper water columns
Ice	Crappie	Small insects and larvae	Tiny minnows
Ice	Walleye	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation	Small perch groups roaming transition areas

Bait Colors by Season for Long Lake (MN)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Summer	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Dark Neutrals
Fall	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Winter	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors
Ice	Walleye	Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns Pink Colors

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