Susan

Susan is an 88-acre lake located in the city of Chanhassen, Carver County. A public city-owned boat launch is on the northwest corner of the lake within Lake Susan Park. A fishing pier is adjacent to the boat ramp, and a bike path along the north and west shores provides shore fishing opportunities. Maximum depth is 17 feet. A standard survey was conducted during July 2019 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake Northern Pike abundance was below-average but average size was large at over 28.5 inches. With the largest measuring just over 37 inches. Walleye have not been stocked into Lake Susan since 2003 but 4 Walleye were captured in this survey and all were between 23.00 and 24.99 inches. A downstream, connected water, Lake Riley, has been regularly stocked with Walleye, and is a likely origin of the fish sampled during this survey. Historically, Bluegill have been caught in low numbers in Lake Susan. Abundance was below average in trap nets for similar lakes but 31 Bluegill were captured in gillnets in this survey. Combined statistics from gillnets and trap nets showed that Bluegill averaged just over 6 inches in length and ranged from 3 to just over 7.5" inches. Of 77 Bluegill sampled, 61% were greater than or equal to 6.5 inches in length. Black Crappie abundance was below average at 2.56/net in trap nets but was above average for gillnets at 21/net. Combined statistics show Black Crappie were just under 8 inches on average in Lake Susan and range from 4.72-9.96 inches with an average length of just under 8 inches. Just over 53% of Black Crappie sampled were greater than or equal to 8.5 inches in length, and 17% were greater than or equal to 9 inches in length. Other species sampled in low abundance in the survey were Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, and Golden Shiner. Largemouth Bass were captured in this survey but gillnets and trap nets are not optimal for sampling this species.

Susan is an 88-acre lake located in the city of Chanhassen, Carver County. A public city-owned boat launch is on the northwest corner of the lake within Lake Susan Park. A fishing pier is adjacent to the boat ramp and a bike path along the north and west shores provides shore fishing opportunities. Maximum depth is 17 feet and water clarity in late July was 2.5 feet. At that time, the lake was strongly stratified with poor (<2 ppm) dissolved oxygen below 8 feet. A population assessment was conducted during July 2014 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish in the lake. Note: this survey was made following extensive recent (c. 2007-present) manipulations of the lake's fish and plants, most notably large-scale removals of Common Carp from 2007-2010, plantings of native aquatic vegetation, introductions of Eurasian-watermilfoil-eating weevils, and restoration of an adjoining wetland. This multi-agency research and management project aims to improve water quality and the fish and plant communities of Lake Susan, as well as the rest of the Riley Creek watershed. Work was done by University of Minnesota researchers and the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District. As of this DNR Fisheries report (spring 2015), Watershed-provided information on the project can be found at: http://rpbcwd.org/locations/lake-susan-wetland-restoration/ The number and size of Northern Pike caught in gill nets has been increasing since the 1988 survey. Northern Pike gill-net catch has ranged from 1.0-10.5/net over the previous 5 surveys. In 2014, relative abundance was high (10.5/gill net) compared to other similar lakes in the state. Mean size was large as pike averaged 25.8 inches and 3.89 lbs, with the largest measuring 34.1 inches. Twenty-one Northern Pike were sampled in the gill nets and 6 (29%) were 28 inches or longer and 3 (14%) were 30 inches or longer. Walleye have not been stocked into Lake Susan since 2003. Previous to that, approximately 150,000 fry were stocked annually. In 2014, 3 Walleye from 22.0-23.2 inches were netted. It is not likely there are any remnants from the 2003 or earlier stockings. It is suspected Walleye migrate upstream into Lake Susan from Lake Riley, though other reasons for Walleye presence in Lake Susan are possible. Bluegill have historically been caught in low numbers (average = 7.0/trap net) in Lake Susan; however, in 2014, trap net catch (18/net) was the highest since the 1983 survey and near the median (15.9/net) when compared to other similar lakes. The size structure was small where 84% of the Bluegill sampled were between 4.0 and 6.5 inches. Mean length and weight were 5.4 inches and 0.15 lb, with the largest measuring 8.4 inches. Only 31% were 6 inches or longer and 7.4% were 7 inches or longer. Black Crappie in Lake Susan exhibit variable recruitment that creates large variations in catch among surveys. Abundances have ranged from 48.2/net in 1983 to 0.1/net in 1993. In 2014, they were sampled at a rate of 3.4/trap net, which is low and below the median (15.9/net) when compared to other similar lakes. As with abundance, Black Crappie average sizes have fluctuated over time, from 0.17 to 0.46 lb, with an average of 0.29 lbs. In 2014, average size was 8.2 inches and 0.31 lb which is relatively large. Thirty-two Black Crappie were sampled in the trap nets; of these 18 (56%) were 8 inches or longer and 8 (25%) were 9 inches or longer. The largest measured 10.6 inches. Yellow Perch have never been abundant in Lake Susan and have always been sampled at a rate well below the median (8.5/gill net) for Class 38 Lakes. In 2014, 3 fish were collected (0.5/gill net) and averaged 6.8 inches. Other species sampled in the survey were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, hybrid sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

The 2009 Lake Susan population assessment occurred 8/03-06/09. Fish abundances were low in both gillnets and trapnets as historically been the case. In total, 216 fish were sampled in 2 gillnets and 9 trapnets. Northern pike indices for number (6.5 fish/gillnet) and mean weight (3.53 lbs) were above median values for similar lakes and have been increasing in each of the three most recent lake surveys. Sampled northern pike ranged from 18-31 inches indicating a quality northern pike population exists in Lake Susan. Northern pike growth was faster than other area class 38 lakes with northern pike reaching an average length of 22.0 inches by age 3. Only 5 year-classes were sampled (1-5) which may indicate northern pike mortality may be high in Lake Susan. Walleye relative abundance (2.5 fish/gillnet) was above the median value for similar lakes. Walleye fry historically have been stocked annually, however no stockings have occurred since 2003. Two walleyes were sampled that originated from the 2006 year-class; these walleyes were assumed to have immigrated into Lake Susan from Lake Riley which lies downstream. Two of the other three walleyes originating from Lake Susan stockings were 11 and 12 years old. One walleye was sampled during the 2003 survey and no walleyes were sampled during the 1993 survey. These factors indicate walleye fry stocking in Lake Susan is not a viable option for creating and sustaining a viable walleye fishery. Bluegill relative abundance (5.78 fish/trapnet) remained below the 25th percentile for similar lakes. Bluegill average size was small with mean weight at the 25th percentile for similar lakes and a mean length of 5.7 inches. Bluegill ranged from 3.5-8.5 inches, with only five fish sampled over 7 inches. The low abundance of bluegills and the productivity of Lake Susan account for the fast growth of bluegills in Lake Susan. Bluegills averaged 4.0 inches by age 2 and 7.4 inches by age 5. Black crappie relative abundance was near average for similar lakes, but increased dramatically when compared to past surveys in 1993 and 2003. The bulk of sampled black crappie ranged from 7.0-8.5 inches with an average of 7.7 inches. Black crappie are known to have widely variable recruitment from year to year, and this is true in Lake Susan. Only four year-classes were sampled with 71% of aged crappies originating from the 2007 year-class. Only one black crappie was sampled during the 1993 survey and 9 were sampled during the 2003 survey. Black crappie growth was above average with fish reaching an average length of 8.2 inches by age 3. The University of Minnesota is conducting research on common carp in Lake Susan. The goal of carp research in lakes Susan is to determine the relationship between carp abundance (biomass) and 'lake health' measured as water quality, vegetation density and native fish. To do so, the population of carp is estimated by employing mark-release-and recapture techniques, and initial measurements of water quality (such as total phosphorous and clarity), vegetation and native fish are collected. Then, specific numbers of carp are removed from each lake while improvements in water quality, vegetation, and native fish are monitored. This was done to determine at what densities the carp are no longer damaging to lakes to set achievable management goals. Using this approach it was estimated that Lake Susan was inhabited by 4,180 carp (+- 800 carp) in 2008, of which 3,270 were removed in January 2009, and an additional 187 carp were removed in January 2010. This reduction of carp biomass from ~300 lbs/acre to ~60 lbs/acre resulted in doubling water clarity in this lake during May and June 2009. Currently the lake is inhabited by ~700 carp and additional removal will be attempted while measurements of water clarity and native fish will resume in spring 2010. Small numbers of black bullhead, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, yellow perch, largemouth bass, and white sucker were also captured.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Black Crappie in Susan. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Susan. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Susan has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Susan is from 2019.

Yes — Susan has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil and brittle naiad. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.