Wisconsin Lake Finder

Surprise Lake

Surprise Lake is a 66-acre lake in Oconto County, Wisconsin, up to 20 feet deep, with 62 waterfront parcels on its shore. Fish include panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye. It has 2 public boat landings and public land or a park on the shore.

• Size: 66 acres
• Deepest point: 20 ft
• Bottom: 60% rock, 20% sand, 15% gravel, 5% muck
• Fish: Panfish, Largemouth bass, Northern pike, Walleye
• Public access: 2 public boat landings and public land or a park on the shore
• Boating: Full recreation: over 50 acres, so open to water-skiing and boating at speed under state law
• Drive time without traffic: Green Bay 1 hr 35 min, Appleton 1 hr 55 min, Milwaukee 3 hr 15 min, Eau Claire 3 hr 15 min, Waukesha 3 hr 25 min, Madison 3 hr 35 min, Twin Cities 4 hr 20 min, Rockford 4 hr 30 min, Chicago 4 hr 40 min
• Invasive species on record: Ornamental water lilies (non-native Nymphaea sp.), Purple Loosestrife
• Waterfront parcels: 62 waterfront parcels

Questions about Surprise Lake

How many waterfront properties are on Surprise Lake?

62 waterfront parcels front Surprise Lake in Oconto County. That counts parcels on the water from county parcel maps, not homes for sale.

How big is Surprise Lake?

Surprise Lake covers 66 acres in Oconto County, Wisconsin.

How deep is Surprise Lake?

Surprise Lake is 20 feet deep at its deepest point.

What fish are in Surprise Lake?

The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye in Surprise Lake.

Is there public access to Surprise Lake?

Yes. Surprise Lake has 2 public boat landings and public land or a park on the shore.

Can you water-ski or run a boat at speed on Surprise Lake?

Surprise Lake is over 50 acres, so Wisconsin's slow-no-wake rule for small lakes does not apply and boats may run at speed, staying slow within 100 feet of shore, docks and swimmers. No local boating ordinance that limits motorboats is on record.

How long is the drive to Surprise Lake?

By car, Surprise Lake is about 1 hr 35 min from Green Bay, 1 hr 55 min from Appleton, 3 hr 15 min from Milwaukee, 4 hr 20 min from the Twin Cities and 4 hr 40 min from Chicago. Those are typical times without traffic, to the nearest road at the lake.

What is the bottom of Surprise Lake like?

The lake bottom is 60% rock, 20% sand, 15% gravel, 5% muck, by the Wisconsin DNR's record.