Surprise

Itasca County

Near Suomi

DOW: 31064600

Yellow PerchGood · 52Largemouth BassGood · 50

A 11-acre lake near Suomi in Itasca County — best known for panfish and bass. Last surveyed 1986.

Fish Species (4)

Yellow Perch

Good · 52

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.10 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 1.5–20.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1986	0.50	-	1.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Largemouth Bass

Good · 50

Average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 0.75 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1986	0.75	-	0.60 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 9, 1986	1.00	-	0.35 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

White Sucker

Good · 61

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jun 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.60 lbs

Catch rate: 2.5 per gill net · typical 0.5–2 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1986	0.75	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jun 9, 1986	2.50	-	0.60 lbs	Standard gill nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 44

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jun 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.24 lbs

Catch rate: 2.3 per trap net · typical 0.9–4.9 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jun 9, 1986	1.00	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jun 9, 1986	2.25	-	0.24 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

June 9, 1986THE LAKE HAS REVERTED BACK TO A WARM FISHERY THAT IS OF LITTLE VALUE TO THE ANGLER. MANAGEMENT AS A STREAM TROUT LAKE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED DUE TO THE…

THE LAKE HAS REVERTED BACK TO A WARM FISHERY THAT IS OF LITTLE VALUE TO THE ANGLER. MANAGEMENT AS A STREAM TROUT LAKE HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED DUE TO THE LAKS'S MARGINAL LIMNOLOGICAL CONDITIONS. IT WAS LAST STOCKED IN 1979 WITH RAINBOW TROUT AND FEW, IF ANY, TROUT REMAIN.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Surprise?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch and Largemouth Bass in Surprise. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Surprise?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Surprise. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Surprise?

Surprise has a maximum depth of 31 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Surprise last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Surprise is from 1986. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.