Re: Suprise lake
 

I would love to fish suprise lake, and I hear that many people do. But are their any bears there?
Also what fish species are there?

Re: Suprise lake
 

No, Surprise Lake is in the Watchung Reservation which is basically an urban park and there are no resident bear in the park. Although a few bear pass through the area every year.

There is a mix of warm water fish residing there. I often see people using chicken livers to catch Yellow Bullheads. Some of these people wear exam gloves to handle the livers. (I know this because some of these people leave all their garbage behind on the banks. Drives me nuts!)

There's also a very healthy population of sunfish like Bluegill and Pumpkin Seed.

Re: Suprise lake
 

Ugh... I would hate to be attacked by a bear...
How is the crappie and chain pickerel fishing there?

Re: Suprise lake
 

I've lived down the Watchung Mountains range from the reservation for 27 years now and twice bear have wandered thru my back yard supposedly following the range down from the reservation. The question does come up as to whether there's a den there and I know that when they hold their controlled dear hunt coyotes are found which used to be indigenous to the area. Back to the fishing tho whatever you use better be weedless cause the lake is choked now.