Minnesota · DNR survey data
Surprise Lake
Surprise Lake covers 38 acres in Lake County, running to 10 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2019. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
Largemouth bassPresent0.7per gill net1"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 23 fish
2019Lengths measured · 38 fish
2010Lengths measured · 11 fish
2005Lengths measured · 9 fish
2000Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few5.3per gill net22"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 24 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 24 fish
2019Lengths measured · 27 fish
2010Lengths measured · 12 fish
2005Lengths measured · 12 fish
2000BluegillJust a few2.3per trap net3"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 53 fish
Yellow perchGood numbers7.7per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 32 fish
Recent · 2019Lengths measured · 32 fish
2019Lengths measured · 65 fish
2010Lengths measured · 114 fish
2005Lengths measured · 5 fish
2000Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
Recent reports
Surprise Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Surprise Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Surprise Lake (carry-in)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Grass Lake · 27 ac · 0.5 mi
- Beetle Lake · 29 ac · 1 mi
- Dragon Lake · 79 ac · 1 mi
- Hide Lake · 26 ac · 1.2 mi
- Chipmunk Lake · 31 ac · 1.7 mi
- Pike Lake · 77 ac · 2.6 mi
- Dime Lake · 2 ac · 2.9 mi
- Two Deer Lake · 45 ac · 2.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Surprise Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Surprise Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Surprise Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2019) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Surprise Lake have a public access?
Yes. Surprise Lake has one public access site: Surprise Lake (carry-in).
Is Surprise Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Surprise Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
When was Surprise Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Surprise Lake in 2019, the most recent of 9 surveys on record. A survey that old is a starting point, not a current reading.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .