Surprise

Surprise Lake is 37.7 acres, has a maximum depth of 10 feet, and is located approximately 10 miles northwest of Isabella. There are two access routes to the lake. The first access is a 300 foot carry-down trail to the northwest shore of the lake off of USFS Road #386 (Kelly Loop Road). The second access is a short 50 foot carry-in to the east shore of the lake at the end of a spur road from USFS Road #386. There is a backcountry campsite with picnic table and fire pit at the end of the spur road and start of the access trail. The Northern Pike catch was near average for similar lakes in the Finland area. A total of 24 pike were caught ranging in length from 12.2 inches to 36.7 inches with an average length of 23 inches. Growth of Northern Pike was fast for the area, and natural reproduction currently sustains the population with eight different ages sampled in 2019. Walleye catch was average compared to similar lakes in the area with a total of seven Walleye sampled. The average length of Walleye was 23.2 inches and weight was 4.6 pounds. The largest Walleye sampled was 27.6 inches and 7.2 pounds. Growth of Walleye was fast for the area, but natural reproduction appears to be sporadic as there were multiple missing year classes. A total of nine Largemouth Bass were sampled with the survey gear on Surprise Lake. Length of bass ranged from 5.3 inches to 18.5 inches with an average length of 13.9 inches. Seven of the Largemouth Bass were over 11 inches in length. Young of the year Largemouth Bass were also collected with small mesh trap nets. Standard trap nets sampled 14 Bluegill with an average length of 4.6 inches. Small mesh trap nets caught an additional 39 Bluegill and had an average length of 3.4 inches. Only one Bluegill was longer than 6 inches; this fish was 7.3 inches long. A total of six Black Crappie were caught with the survey nets. The size of crappie was small ranging from 3.9 inches to 6.1 inches. In the Finland Area, Bluegill and Black Crappie populations tend to have low densities with good growth rates, but sporadic reproduction and recruitment. Yellow Perch and White Suckers are important forage species in the lake and they were captured in normal numbers. Other species sampled during the survey included Pumpkinseed, Blacknose Shiner, Fathead Minnow, and Tadpole Madtom.

Surprise Lake is a 40 acre body of water located approximately 10 miles northwest of Isabella. Located in the Superior National Forest, the shoreline is undeveloped and surrounding area has little private development. There are two carry-in access trails to Surprise Lake. The designated access from USFS Road #386, to the northwest end of Surprise Lake, is a 500 foot trail down a fairly steep slope with parking only on the road at the trail-head. The second access is a short spur of over-grown logging road to a short trail that hits the east side of the lake; there was enough parking for two vehicles here. Both accesses are suitable only for small boat or canoe. The fish sampled in 2010 consisted of black crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, walleye, white sucker and yellow perch. Walleye were sampled in above average numbers for northeastern Minnesota lakes with similar characteristics. The size of the walleye sampled was above average at 2.8 pounds (20.1 inches); the largest walleye was 27.6 inches. One hundred percent of the total walleye catch was greater than 16 inches in 2010. Walleye stocking was discontinued in 1985, when aging of walleye samples indicated the stocking was not enhancing the walleye population in the stocked years. Northern pike were sampled in above average numbers for the lake class in 2010. The northern pike average size was 2.2 pounds (20.6 inches); the largest northern pike was 33.9 inches. Natural reproduction produces consistent year-classes of northern pike in Surprise Lake, providing good angling for various size fish. The black crappie sample in 2010 was below average for lake class but within the range previously seen in Surprise Lake investigations. The average weight was just over 0.1 pound for the three fish collected. Generally, Surprise Lake samples have consisted of small numbers of large black crappie; however, the 2010 sample was comprised of smaller fish. Natural reproduction appears to be sporadic and poor, similar to many Finland area lakes were black crappie are present. The reproduction in Surprise Lake is capable of sustaining a long-term population and occasionally producing a strong year-class of black crappies. The yellow perch catch was about average for the lake class in 2010, and similar to samples in previous investigations. The average length of yellow perch in 2010 was 6.5 inches; the largest yellow perch was 8.7 inches. While largemouth bass are difficult to assess in standard sampling gear (gill net, trap net), previous investigations on Surprise Lake often collected low numbers of largemouth bass. Two largemouth bass were sampled in 2010, one weighed 1.9 pounds and the other 4.8 pounds. Largemouth bass are able to sustain a long-term population through natural reproduction in Surprise Lake. Surprise Lake is a lightly fished body of water. While it is unlikely great numbers of any species will be caught on a single fishing trip, there is a chance that a large walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass or black crappie will bend the rod.

Surprise Lake is a small, remote lake that receives relatively light fishing pressure. Fish populations are maintained through natural reproduction. The lake is managed primarily for northern pike although other game fish species are present.Northern pike were sampled in average numbers in 2005 compared to the other lakes in this class. They ranged from 16.3 inches to 24.7 inches (3.8 lbs) and average about 2.5 lb/fish. Northern pike are the primary species pursued by anglers on this lake.Walleye were sampled in relatively low numbers in this assessment which is normal for this lake. They ranged in size from 10.7 inches to 28.1 inches (7.9 lbs). Results of this assessment indicated that walleye reproduction has been poor in recent years and numbers likely will continue to be low.Largemouth bass and black crappie have been collected in this lake in the past; however, only one adult bass and no adult crappies were taken in this assessment. Largemouth bass are difficult to capture in netting gear and are best sampled by electrofishing equipment. Access limitations prevent this type of equipment from being used to evaluate fish populations in this lake. A few young-of-the-year largemouth bass were sampled in this assessment so there are some adult fish present. Black crappie numbers are likely very low, if they are present at all.

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

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

Surprise has a maximum depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

No invasive species are on record for Surprise in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.