I have read a few reports about Long Lake so far this year, so I thought it would be fun to go out and try to learn a little more about the lake myself. This is my first trip out of 9 Mile State Park, and I found it interesting to say the least.

First, the water from the launch to almost 3/4 of the way across is only 4' deep. There is a sand bar in the middle that is only 2' deep. Almost straight across from the launch you will find two poles or logs sticking out of the water in 7 feet of water, and right now, that is the river flow. The bay at the launch was 67 degrees at the surface, with the river at 58 degrees. The surface temperature from 9 mile to almost TumTum was middle 60's, but the water depth increased gradually and the current decreased gradually as you run toward TumTum. The dollar pads are emerging, with various densities. Remember that the dollar pads (about 4" in diameter) only grow in shallow water; don't go running your big motor into these. The larger 6+ inch pads are starting to emerge near TumTum, but only in limited amounts. The spatterdock or Elephant ears are up to full growth. The carp are spawning in the back of the bays, but you can also find them swimming almost everywhere.

Based on a couple of reports I had read or heard, I expected the LMB and SMB to be off the beds. In fact, for the upper lake at least, the Bass are not yet even on the beds. I could not locate a single bed, or sign of a bed, anywhere, but I did locate Small Mouth Bass, in large numbers, and they have not spawned. I retained a 16" SMB that I hooked in an eye, and it was still quite full of eggs.

I did not get a single LMB all afternoon, but I located the SMB in water as shallow as 2' and as deep as 15'. I released at least 4 fish between 16" to 18", with a couple under 10", but about two dozen between 12" and 16". These fish are on steroids right now, jumping clean out of the water multiple times. Sharp hooks are in order.

As usual, the lures or colors changed often, but if there was a pattern it was that a tight wobble or vibration was best, with a narrow profile.

On a side note, the locals I befriended told me that there was a ~36" Northern Pike caught, measured, photographed, and released, just off the launch at 9 mile today.

BassCaster

6/6/2009 7:50:00 AM

I look forward to your reports AA, some of the best! Thank you..................

Gisteppo

6/6/2009 8:45:00 AM

Why didn't you call me deadbeat? I was home all day, coulda escorted you around a bit....

E

riprap101

6/6/2009 9:39:00 AM

AA - All the female smallies I have caught have been full of eggs also. I have had better success with soft craw imitations, however look forward to throwing some rattletraps post spawn. I have seen a lot of large dead carp floaters. Do they die after they spawn once they get to a certain age? Anyways, I don't want you and Gisteppo out on the lake together, you will leave all the fish with a bad painful memory. The smallmouth on this lake seem to always be on the roids. That is only the second N. pike I have heard of being caught. I have never hooked into one, but will be traveling to the Pend river soon for my first attempts. Thanks for the report, always a good read.

Gisteppo

6/6/2009 1:54:00 PM

The carp you are seeing are the archery hunters of carp discarding the carcasses.
E

Anglinarcher

6/8/2009 10:48:00 AM

Gisteppo, I don't have your phone number and I had planned on going to Elokia that day instead. When my partner backed out, and my son had to work, I went exploring, and Long drew short straw. I think I need to plan better next time - my bad.

Anglinarcher

6/8/2009 10:53:00 AM

riprap101, I also saw some floaters. The ones I saw, and could get into, I picked up, split stem to stern, and slid back into the water. They were still fairly fresh and did have arrow holes in them, so Gisteppo is dead on. If you find a floater that is split stem to stern, air bladder broken, then let me know so I can change my disposal method. I often carp shoot, but have not taken my bow out on Long yet - just too many houses and too many people around for my taste when I carp hunt.

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