About Surprise Lake

Located in Watchung Reservation, Surprise Lake is a fun lake to fish. This very scenic lake is surrounded by a 2 mile trail that are used by joggers, fishermen, and horses....so watch out for road apples. The fishing here can be slow at times, but a good day can be very productive(8-10 fish...possibly more). It is home to bass, crappies, sunfish, pickerel, yellow perch, and catfish.

Like Watchung Lake, Surprise Lake had been dredged about 4 years ago; Today, it is one of the cleanest around. Nice largemouth bass and good size pickerel are known to be here.

Fishing Observations

Although it is good exerise to fish the entire lake, the side closest to the parking lot seems to be better - more lilly pads, logs, and deeper water are a few reasons why. Jigs work well, but topwater lures at dusk have pulled in many bass. Pickerel, perch, and bass especially like crawfish lures.

Casting can be difficult during the warmer months due to heavy foliage. Trees along the lakeside grow very close, which causes branches to fall in the water. Although this can provide a great hiding spot for bass, be sure you will lose a lure or two on them.

Colder weather trips to Surprise Lake seem to be the most productive. Since pickerel are not sluggish in cold water, you're bound to catch at least one.


Things to Know

Watch out for road apples.

Casting may be difficult with obstructing trees and branches.

Can get very muddy, so wear your boots.

Lots of fallen trees and branches in the water. A great place for bass to hide, but expect to loose a lure or 4.

Many people walk around the lake; some, are inconsiderate towards fishermen. If a family throwing rocks into the water doesn't bother you, then maybe the couple who lets their 2 dogs thrash around where you're fishing will.



November Fishing - 2003

On a gorgous day in the low 40's, Tom, Ryan, and a Crane(right) were bundled up once again in the Watchung Reservation's Surprise Lake on November 9th. This trip did produce three pickerel, but the catches seemed few and far between within a 4 hour period.

Fishing Log

Tom - Pickerel, 20"- 2:37PM
Ryan - Pickerel, 16"-: 3:06PM
Ryan - Pickerel, 10"-: 3:43PM




From largest to smallest was the order of catches - Well into the 2nd hour of fishing, Tom catches a 20 inch pickerel and is extremely happy that it didn't break the line. About 45 minutes later, Ryan hooks into this nice 16" pickerel which struck only a few feet away from the shoreline. Pickerel tend to follow prey until it's convinced it's a worthy meal. Chances are, this pickerel was following Ryan lure when it first entered the water. The last fish caught was courtesy of Ryan on the way back to the truck. Since we found soft plastic baits were productive, we briefly hit spots that we fished earlier. A baby of a pickerel, but it was reassurance that it was a decent outting and a pickerel nonetheless.

Judging by all the pictures on this page, you can tell that there are definitely pickerel in this lake. Believe it or not, there are other types of fish here.

November 9th would lead you to believe otherwise. On a day as cold as this one, we both knew that bass wouldn't be doing much. Luckily, pickerel aren't as sluggish as bass in the cold. If anything, it seems like they prefer it.