Nolan's Big Catch - Summer 2019

One sunny, late July afternoon we decided to head up to Breezy Point.  It’s a short boat ride, since it’s only about 10-15 cottages north of us.  When we arrived we beached the boat where Mom decided to read, while “The Guys” fished.  As you know, it’s very shallow and weedy in spots - perfect hiding for fish.  We eventually ran out of crawlers so we debated between lures or clams, which we eventually decided to use on a standard Eagle Claw hook. 

While the minnows were nibbling our toes, we saw a lot of action, pulling out several perch, rock bass, bluegill, and some smaller smallmouth bass.  Before I knew it, I had a big boy on!  Just days prior, I had a huge largemouth bass break free about five feet from shore.  Today, I wasn’t gonna lose another one so I decided to keep the rod and line close to the bottom instead of reeling fast and pulling hard.  Finally it came to the surface and just as it hit the sand it broke free.  I scrambled to corral it by building a wall of sand.  Eventually I got a handle on it.  Here’s a picture of my brother, Liam, and I.  FYI, we released it.  Hopefully someone else will have an opportunity to catch it as well.

Liam’s Big Catch - Summer 2017

From time to time we receive pictures of Long Lake kids and their fishing stories. We post them as we can.. (LongLakeLiving website managers)

Liam's Fish Story:
Every summer we go to my cottage - The Bluebird.  It’s been in my family for ninety years.

On our first day, not long after arriving, we headed out on to the lake.  It was early evening and the weather was windy and cool for late July.  We motored south of Breezy Point along Chippewa Loop where I decided it was a good place to shut her down and drift.  That day I decided to use some type of plug lure with a nightcrawler.  I dropped my line into the water.  We weren’t there for very long before I got a bite.  I started reeling it in even though Mom said, “You don’t have a fish on - so just stop!”.  But I knew better!  After a minute or two, without putting up much of a fight, I pulled in a walleye about half my size.  I was only five years old at the time.  Here’s a picture of me with my big catch.

From Liam's dad.  He'll someday be the sixth generation to own our cottage, and he, as I, loves Long Lake and the time spent there - regardless of the 15 hours it takes to arrive!

Ice Out Update

Since the Long Lake webcam is still being repaired.. I thought I would post an update on the ice conditions as of 3/30/2020.  As you can see from these short videos, the ice seems to be changing colors..and in some spots the ice is beginning to melt away from the shoreline.  I also noticed what might be some ice that has been pushed up on the East shore.  (It could be just snow that slid down the bank too.)

The temperature was up to about 47 degrees and if we would get a little rain, that would help the ice out too. 

As for our Ice Out contest deadline on March 26th, we have 8 guesses for Ice Out ranging from April 6th to July 4th.. We will see who gets bragging rights.  We will draw for the quilt at the Annual Meeting at the end of June.

We will keep everyone posted as to ice conditions.

As you can see in this last video, there was a fellow out ice fishing. He was riding a 4 wheeler.. He surprised me, as I was shooting the video, by coming around Breezy Point.

****************************************************************
From an article in the Star Tribune 3/29/2020:

"At least we have ice-out to anticipate: A quicker melt than last year could mean an earlier return to lake recreation. 
- By DAVID CHANEN, david.chanen@startribune.com

"So a little bit of good news: It appears ice-outs across Minnesota are about a week ahead of schedule.
At least 16 lakes, mostly in the southern part of the state, have lost their ice. Lake Minnetonka is expected to have its ice-out within the week, much earlier than last year’s April 20.
Grays and Excelsior bays on Lake Minnetonka are open, but the ice on most of the lake’s 37 bays and channels is still 4 to 8 inches thick, said Lt. Shane Magnuson of the Hennepin County Water Patrol." "

Time to Think Spring! When is the Ice going Out on Long Lake?

This year's prize

Join the fun! Guess the “Ice Out” date for Long Lake this spring!

To participate in the fun, please send your guess to longlakeliving@gmail.com. 

The deadline for guesses is March 26. (This date is the earliest the ice has gone off the lake since we have been keeping our charts..it was in 2012)

All those selecting the winning date will be recognized.  A final drawing, by an unbiased observer, from ALL participant's names will select one participant to receive the prize (donated by Monika Wilkins) which will be awarded at the LLAA Annual Meeting in 2020.

Good Luck to all!



Here are some hints to help you pick your date:
(The second link has all the Long Lake data since 1989.)

1. Link to article from DNR about 2020 thin ice
2. Link to Ice Data page on Long Lake Living