lake of the week: Little boy lake

County: Cass

Location: 2 miles southeast of Longville

Size: 1,372 acres

Maximum depth: 74 feet

Public access: One concrete ramp

Visitor information: Longville Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, 1-218-363-2630 or www.longville.com

What you'll catch: The lake supports a healthy population of muskies. They are abundant with a good size structure, which includes fish in the 50-inch category. Department of Natural Resources Area Fisheries Supervisor Harlan Fierstine said there is a good forage base of yellow perch, ciscoes and suckers. It is one of many Minnesota muskie lakes under consideration for a special regulation that would make the minimum size limit 48 inches. (Public comments on the proposal will be taken this fall. If the regulation is approved, it will take effect next summer.)

Other species: Walleyes are the other popular species for anglers, especially in spring and fall. Catching walleyes can be more difficult from the end of June until September, due to the high density of natural forage. The lake receives some stocking, but most of the fish occur naturally. There were two good year classes of fish (2002 and 2003) that are in the 13- to 14-inch range, which should provide some harvest opportunities. Northern pike are present in good numbers, with fewer "hammer handle" fish that plague some other lakes. Fierstine said it is too early to tell what effect an experimental regulation for northerns has had on the size structure. The regulation, implemented a few years ago, requires anglers to release northerns between 24 and 36 inches. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are present with quality sizes, but they don't receive a lot of fishing pressure. Crappies are present, but the fishing is better on Lake Wabedo, which is connected to the lake along the Boy River. There are some quality sunfish present.

Fish recently stocked: Walleyes — 800,000 fry in 2006 and 2003.

More information: Minnesota DNR Area Fisheries Supervisor, 7316 State Highway 371, Walker, MN 56484; 1-218-547-1683. For map, species and stocking data, contact Sportsman's Connection, www.sportsmanscon nection.com, 1-888-572-0182.