Walleye get the headlines, but Long Lake's pike and bass keep rods bent all season. With clear, spring-fed water, deep basins and miles of weed, rock and wood, this Washburn County lake supports aggressive northern pike plus a genuinely healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass fishery — the kind of variety that makes a day on the water unpredictable in the best way.
Northern pike
Pike are Long Lake's ambush predators, and they love green weed. Find healthy weedbeds, weedy bays and the edges where vegetation meets deeper water, and you have found pike. They are aggressive and willing, which makes them a favorite for kids and new anglers.
In open water, cover the weeds with spoons, spinnerbaits, big swimbaits and live suckers under a bobber. In winter, Long Lake is known for trophy pike: set tip-ups baited with large golden shiners or redtail chubs along weed edges, with productive areas historically north of Kunz Island and in Gruenhagen Bay.
Largemouth bass
Long Lake's largemouth fishery is healthy — a 2022 Wisconsin DNR survey collected over a hundred largemouth, a good sign of strong numbers. Target them around weed edges, lily pads, docks, and any wood or laydowns along the shoreline. Soft-plastic worms and creature baits, jigs, and topwater early and late are all productive. Catch-and-release fishing for bass is generally open year-round on Long Lake, but confirm current regulations with the Wisconsin DNR before keeping any fish.
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth are the bonus brawlers of Long Lake. They relate to harder bottom — rock and gravel shorelines, points and mid-lake humps — rather than the soft, weedy areas largemouth prefer. Tubes, Ned rigs, drop-shots, crankbaits and topwater all take Long Lake smallmouth. Pound for pound they are the hardest-pulling fish in the lake, so don't be surprised when a bronzeback nearly takes the rod out of your hands.
Protect the lake: Long Lake has documented invasive species, including curly-leaf pondweed and mystery snails. Always clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and gear before and after launching to stop their spread.
Where to start
| Species | Cover / structure | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|
| Northern pike | Weedbeds, weedy bays, weed-to-deep edges | Spoons, spinnerbaits, suckers; winter tip-ups |
| Largemouth bass | Weed edges, pads, docks, wood | Plastics, jigs, topwater |
| Smallmouth bass | Rock, gravel, points, humps | Tubes, Ned rigs, drop-shots, cranks |
Plan with the lake map and depth guide, launch from one of the public landings, and check the seasonal fishing report before you go.
Pike & bass FAQ
Are there big northern pike in Long Lake?
Yes — Long Lake is known for producing trophy northern pike, especially in winter from the weedbeds north of Kunz Island and in Gruenhagen Bay. Tip-ups with large golden shiners or redtail chubs are the classic approach.
Does Long Lake have largemouth and smallmouth bass?
Both. A 2022 Wisconsin DNR survey found a healthy largemouth population along with smallmouth bass. Largemouth hold on weeds, wood and docks, while smallmouth prefer rock and gravel structure.
Can you keep bass, or is it catch and release?
Catch-and-release bass fishing is generally open year-round on Long Lake, with harvest seasons and limits set separately. Rules change, so confirm the current Wisconsin DNR regulations before keeping any fish.
How do I avoid spreading invasive species?
Long Lake has documented invasives like curly-leaf pondweed and mystery snails. Clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer, livewell and gear every time you launch and leave, and never move water or bait between lakes.