Our Impact / How We Help

Preventing invasive species before they enter Long Lake is our first and most effective line of defense.

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) such as zebra mussels and starry stonewort have been found in Long Lake. They along with other invasive species can wreak havoc on the health of Long Lake. They disrupt native ecosystems, reduce water quality, and make it challenging for recreational activities. According to our recent survey of members, preventing AIS from entering Long Lake should be THE top priority of the LLAAF, and thorough inspections at lake accesses are a critical first line of defense.

For the past two years, LLAAF has contributed $25,000 annually to supplement and extend the coverage by 1000 hours for the watercraft inspection program funded through the State AIS Prevention Aid, administered by Hubbard County. For 2025, the cost per hour has increased $1 to $26/hour so LLAAF will pay $26,000 for the same number of supplemental hours. Without supplemental funding, Long Lake watercraft inspections would be limited currently to 642 State-funded hours which is 80 days split between the two accesses. This would work out to be 8-hour shifts on Sat, Sun, and Holidays for the summer from opening of walleye fishing through the weekend after Labor Day.

Your donation helps fund these inspections and keep invasive species out of Long Lake.

When prevention falls short, direct action is essential to protect Long Lake’s ecosystem.

When AIS prevention efforts fall short (boat inspections, clean-drain-dry, etc.), direct action is needed to mitigate and manage the invasive species that have already entered the ecosystem. You may remember from the LLAA’s communications that Long Lake has been actively engaged in fighting an infestation of Starry Stonewort at the south boat launch area since August 2023, which has continued through this fall.

The LLAAF employs various techniques to control invasive species. LLAA member volunteers work hand-in-hand with the Minnesota DNR to combat invasive species. The LLAAF contracts AIS mitigation firms to safely and under permit combat AIS proliferation in Long Lake. This work is expensive but unavoidable. Your generous donation to fund these critical projects is reducing the impact of AIS on Long Lake.

Consistent monitoring allows us to detect changes early and respond before small issues become lasting problems.

Water quality monitoring is essential for tracking the lake’s health. LLAAF regularly tests for contaminants, pollutants, and changes in pH levels that impact the lake’s ecosystem and water safety. Ongoing monitoring also enables the LLAAF to detect and address issues early, before they become larger problems.

These tests require significant financial resources for equipment, lab analysis, and expert staff to interpret results. Your donation is critical to sustain these efforts to maintain and improve Long Lake’s water quality.

Healthy fish populations are vital to Long Lake’s ecology, recreation, and long-term sustainability.

Long Lake is home to diverse fish populations, including walleye, bass, and northern pike, which are vital to the lake’s ecology and draw anglers to the area. However, game fish populations in Long Lake are vulnerable to habitat degradation, shoreline erosion, pollution, and competition from AIS. Global warming and increased recreational activities are putting more pressure on naturally reproducing fishing stock. In response, using donated funds to the LLAAF, we actively support fish stocking efforts, looking into possible habitat restoration projects, and engage in research to maintain healthy fish populations. Your donation helps ensure that Long Lake remains a thriving habitat for fish and a premier destination for anglers.