Surprise Lake

How big is Surprise Lake?

How deep is Surprise Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Surprise Lake?

Are there boat launches on Surprise Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Surprise Lake?

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.

What is the average air temp for Surprise Lake?

Are there any state parks near Surprise Lake?