Believe it or not, Little Long Lake is rated the #1 fishing lake in Ely Minnesota according to MN DNR data. Even though the lake is only 322 acres, it punches above its weight. The lake gets its name by being over 2 miles long and thin. Like its neighboring Burntside Lake, Little Long Lake has clear water with about 13 feet of clarity. There is not much vegetation due to crayfish. In 1989, Rainbow Smelt invasive baitfish was discovered in the lake and now is in abundance. The Rainbow Smelt have provided gamefish an excellent source of food. This allows the game fish to be larger on average when compared to similar lakes.
While Little Long Lake does not have direct BWCA access, there is a short 40 rod portage (660 ft) to Burntside Lake which has access to the Twin Lakes and access to the Boundary Waters through the Crab Lake Portage. Additionally, Little Long Lake is adjacent to the Dry Lake and Bass Lake hiking trails which are some of the best trails in the state. The lake is also conveniently only a few miles from the town of Ely making it an easy place to visit.
Little Long Lake, Ely MN Basic Information:
What is the Depth of Little Long Lake?
Little Long Lake is 45' deep.
How Big is Little Long Lake?
Little Long Lake is 322 acres. It spans over 2 miles long, and is thin. It’s maximum width stretches around the size of a football field.
What kind of Fish Live in Little Long Lake?
The major game fish in Little Long Lake include: Crappie, Northern Pike, Small and Large Mouth Bass and Walleye.
A complete list of fish species in Little Long Lake include: black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, tullibee (cisco), walleye, yellow perch, white sucker, bluntnose minnow, central mudminnow, golden shiner, Iowa darter, rainbow smelt, slimy sculpin.
Is there public boat access to Little Long Lake?
Public boat access to Little Long Lake is off of the Echo Trail Road on the other side of the Bass Lake Trail Head. It’s a short 10-minute drive from Ely, MN.
Where to Stay When Visiting Little Long Lake?
My favorite way to visit the Ely, MN is to book a VRBO in the area. I enjoy staying on a private property and always make sure that the rental includes a lakeside sauna. For the best up to date listings please visit vrbo.com. At this time Little Long Lake does not have VRBO rental cabins.
Here are some amenities to consider as you decide where to stay:
A Sauna is a staple in northern Minnesota, but not every cabin or resort provides this. The sauna cold plunge is becoming a popular trend for spas and high-end resorts around the country. In Ely, MN the sauna cold plunge is a way of life. When booking your rental, make sure a lakeside sauna is included.
Swimming Beaches are especially nice for families with children. Some lakes are very rocky with steep drop-offs. Picking a lodging option with a sandy beach and a gradual drop-off may be the best option for families.
Boating is essential to enjoying the lakes. Some cabins offer canoes or kayaks, but most do not offer motor boat rentals. The resorts in the area typically have rental options for their customers. Making sure you have the right boating accommodations may be just as important as choosing the right cabin.
Echo Shores Resort
The Echo Shores Resort is the only lodging option directly on Little Long Lake and it’s a good one. The resort specializes in fishing and hunting providing their customers with special packages and boat rental options. Like many of the resorts in the area, the cabins at Echo Shores are basic. The magic is not going to be the room, it’s going to be the Lake, the fishing, the friendly staff, and activities in the surrounding area. If high speed wifi and a luxury stay is what you are looking for, consider booking a VRBO option. But if you are looking for a fishing trip of a lifetime or a family friendly place that won’t break the bank, Echo Shores would be a great option to consider.
Little Long Lake Fishing Report:
Little Long Lake is an excellent fishery. Recent DNR lake surveys show that Little Long Lake is one of the best places to fish in the state of Minnesota. In fact, many articles claim the Lake of the Woods to be a “Walleye Bucket List Lake” but MN DNR lake surveys show Walleye numbers lower than Little Long Lake. For instance, Little Long Lake yielded 20 Walleyes per Gill Net while Lake of the Woods yielded around 13 Walleyes per Gill Net. Some of the Walleyes in Lake of the Woods were bigger, but Little Long Lake produces more Walleyes and many are lunkers.
Things to Do Near Little Long Lake:
Hiking near Little Long Lake:
My favorite hiking trail in the Ely area is right across the street from the Little Long Lake Public Boat Access: The Dry and Bass Lake Trails. I always hike the Bass Lake Loop. The loop is about 4 miles long and passes by some scenic overlooks, Dry Falls, some places for good berry picking, Low Lake, and some amazing trees. When hiking with my kids, I take them to Dry Falls to swim and then come back. The loop is too long for their little legs, but the hike to the falls and back is the perfect length.
Canoeing or Kayaking near Little Long Lake:
Canoeing or kayaking day trips visiting multiple lakes is one of my personal favorites. A route that looks like an incredible amount of fun would be to canoe or kayak starting on Little Long Lake, then portaging into Burntside (only 40 rod portage), and then paddling into the Twin Lake via the Dead River. This day trip would allow you to explore three very different lakes and create some lasting memories. I have paddled to the Twin Lakes from the Western Arm of Burntside Lake, but I think starting from Little Long Lake would be an even better day trip. Another benefit of this trip would be no BWCA permits are needed since the lakes and river are outside the BWCA.
Visit Ely, MN:
It almost does not need to be said, but Ely is very close to the lake and is a fun place to visit. There are charming shops, restaurants, and wildlife exhibits. Spending time in town is always fun and enjoyable and Little Long Lake is a stone’s throw away.
References
Fisheries, M. a. (2024, January 26). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved from LakeFinder: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/index.html
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