Minnesota Fishing Guide

Surprise

Lake County, Minnesota — DOW #38055000

152 Surveys
37.67
Acres
10 ft
Max Depth
0
8
Fish Species
8
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Surprise. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 — 9
1961-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 — — 1
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 12.0 (above normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.03 lb 12
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — — 1
2019-07-08 Open-water angling 0.5 — 2.66 lb 1
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 5.3 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.79 lb 16
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.8 — 3.77 lb 5
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 1.26 lb 2
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 14.0 (above normal) 3.9 – 9.4 1.85 lb 14
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 1.0 — 0.74 lb 4
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 0.72 lb 5
1979-08-13 Standard gill nets 7.5 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.40 lb 15
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.4 — 2.62 lb 14
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 7.7 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.22 lb 23
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 1.29 lb 3
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 0.82 lb 1
2005-07-06 Standard gill nets 5.5 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.51 lb 11
2005-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 4.19 lb 1
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 6.5 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 2.12 lb 13
1985-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.7 — 1.97 lb 7
1991-06-24 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 3.9 – 9.4 1.88 lb 4
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.2 — 2.43 lb 12

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard gill nets 16.0 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 — 32
1961-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.2 (normal) 0.4 – 2.4 — 6
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 3
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 14.0 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.60 lb 14
2000-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.4 2.05 lb 5
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 7.3 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 2.47 lb 22
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.4 1.72 lb 2
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 19.0 (above normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.39 lb 19
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 2.0 — 1.97 lb 8
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 3.1 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.4 1.82 lb 31
1979-08-13 Standard gill nets 19.5 (above normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.21 lb 39
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.6 (normal) 0.4 – 2.4 1.54 lb 16
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 2.98 lb 1
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 11.7 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.69 lb 35
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.4 – 2.4 2.51 lb 8
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 0.8 — — 5
2005-07-06 Standard gill nets 14.0 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.54 lb 28
2005-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.4 2.86 lb 1
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 9.0 (normal) 2.6 – 17.5 2.31 lb 18
1985-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.4 0.23 lb 3
1991-06-24 Standard gill nets 29.0 (above normal) 2.6 – 17.5 1.90 lb 29
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.4 – 2.4 2.15 lb 10

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 5.2 — 4
1961-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.0 – 23.0 — 2
2000-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.10 lb 2
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 1.2 — — 7
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.10 lb 1
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.16 lb 1
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 6.3 — — 38
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 7.7 (normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.11 lb 23
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.10 lb 9
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 16.0 (normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.15 lb 16
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 23.0 — — 92
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.15 lb 6
1979-08-13 Standard gill nets 5.5 (normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.15 lb 11
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.05 lb 2
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 12.8 — — 77
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.12 lb 19
2005-07-06 Standard trap nets 2.2 (normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.10 lb 13
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 7.7 — 0.01 lb 46
2005-07-06 Standard gill nets 28.0 (above normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.12 lb 56
1985-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.10 lb 2
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.18 lb 6
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 12.5 (above normal) 0.4 – 5.2 0.08 lb 125
1991-06-24 Standard gill nets 31.0 (above normal) 2.0 – 23.0 0.16 lb 31

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 — 4
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 2.03 lb 1
2000-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 3.64 lb 4
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — — 1
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 4.33 lb 7
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 6.83 lb 1
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 2.55 lb 4
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 0.3 — 2.65 lb 1
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 1.87 lb 3
1979-08-13 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 2.95 lb 2
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 0.1 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 2.70 lb 1
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 2.80 lb 9
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 4.02 lb 4
2005-07-06 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 3.06 lb 6
2005-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.1 – 0.7 3.53 lb 1
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1.67 lb 1
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 3.5 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 0.33 lb 7
1991-06-24 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 1.0 – 7.2 3.38 lb 4
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.1 – 0.7 3.60 lb 8

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 10.7 — 5
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.29 lb 1
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 0.03 lb 1
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.10 lb 2
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 10.7 0.06 lb 3
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.41 lb 1
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 10.7 0.03 lb 5
1979-08-13 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.12 lb 4
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 5.3 (normal) 0.5 – 10.7 0.26 lb 53
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.06 lb 1
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 10.7 0.17 lb 2
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.20 lb 1
1985-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.5 – 10.7 1.10 lb 1
1991-06-24 Standard gill nets 3.0 (normal) 0.6 – 6.9 0.83 lb 3
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 0.5 – 10.7 0.35 lb 4

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1961-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 — 4
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — — 1
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 2.2 — — 13
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 0.3 — 0.07 lb 1
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.03 lb 2
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 10.8 — 0.01 lb 43
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.04 lb 5
1979-08-13 Standard trap nets 1.1 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.07 lb 11
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 2.3 — 0.04 lb 14
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.03 lb 4
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 0.09 lb 2
2005-07-06 Standard gill nets 1.5 — 0.06 lb 3
2005-07-06 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.07 lb 4
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 1.5 — 0.10 lb 3
1985-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.06 lb 7
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 2.7 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.0 0.05 lb 27

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — — 1
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 13.7 — — 82
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 0.8 — 0.02 lb 3
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 0.02 lb 1
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 6

BNS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 11.7 — 70
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 3.7 — 22
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 9.0 — 36
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 34.0 — 204
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 12.8 — 77

Golden Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 2

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2000-07-05 Standard gill nets 6.0 (above normal) 0.6 – 4.3 1.45 lb 6
2000-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 1.2 1.56 lb 3
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 2.8 — 0.39 lb 17
2019-07-08 Open-water angling 1.5 — 2.56 lb 3
2019-07-08 Standard gill nets 0.7 (normal) 0.6 – 4.3 2.01 lb 2
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.2 0.07 lb 1
1995-07-17 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.6 – 4.3 0.96 lb 1
1995-07-17 Special trap nets 6.8 — — 27
1995-07-17 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.2 – 1.2 0.14 lb 8
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 6.0 — — 36
2010-06-15 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.6 – 4.3 1.87 lb 1
2010-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.2 4.85 lb 1
2005-07-06 1/4-in trap nets 1.8 — 0.23 lb 11
1985-06-19 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.6 – 4.3 0.80 lb 1
1991-06-24 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.2 0.10 lb 1

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2000-07-05 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 6.5 — 0.04 lb 39
2019-07-08 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.9 – 15.2 0.07 lb 14

Fathead Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2019-07-08 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — 6

CRC

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.2 — 1

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2010-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.8 — 5

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Agate Bay Outfitters LLC

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5777

★ 4.4

Boundary Waters Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-3466

★ 4.9

Canadian Border Outfitters

Ely, MN

(800) 247-7530

★ 4.8

Granite Gear Inc

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-6157

★ 4.7

North Country Canoe Outfitters

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5581

★ 4.9

Red Rock Wilderness Store

Ely, MN

(218) 365-5489

★ 5

Seagren's Home Hardware Outdoors

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-2222

★ 4.6

Veness Bait & Tackle

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 3.9

Nearby Marinas

Entry Point 24

Ely, MN

★ 4.7

Harbor Kayak & Paddleboard Rental

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 393-4545

★ 5

Knife River Marina

Knife River, MN

(218) 834-6076

★ 4.7

Landing Sports Bar

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-5191

★ 4.6

Leroy's Repair

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 834-0743

★ 4.6

Meierhoff Marine

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 341-4588

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Surprise

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Surprise.

The Moose Bay Co
Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-6285
Bell Sheep Homestead
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 226-4614
Bob's Cabins On Lake Superior
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 834-4583
Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior
Fishing Resort Two Harbors

(218) 389-4522

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Surprise. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black CrappieBluegillLargemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Surprise

Boreal Triangle Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 830-2148
Boundary Waters Fishing Guide
Fishing Guide

(218) 235-9595
Duluth Superior Charter Fishing with Capt Paul Morris aboard Freedom II
Fishing Guide

(218) 428-5562
Ely Ice Fishing Company
Fishing Guide

(218) 365-3466
James Addiction Charter Fishing
Fishing Guide

(218) 213-8816
Muskie Doom Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 491-3277

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Lake County

Abinodji

35.74 acres

Adams

474.95 acres

Adventure

47.23 acres

Ahmakose

42.71 acres

Ahsub

60.33 acres

Alger

20.82 acres

Plan Your Trip to Surprise

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.