Lake Susan

How big is Lake Susan?

How deep is Lake Susan?

What kind of fish can you catch in Lake Susan?

What are the closest cities to Lake Susan?

Are there boat launches on Lake Susan?

Are there places to eat and drink near Lake Susan?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Lake 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 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.

What is the average air temp for Lake Susan?