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Lake Surprise

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Florida, United States

5.0·31 catches

Top fish species at Lake Surprise

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Check which species have trophy potential in Lake Surprise

Lake Surprise fishing reports

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Palometa

8 in · 6 oz

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Striped mojarra

10 in · 1 lb

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Pinfish

10 in · 1 lb

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Great barracuda

length · weight

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Tarpon

length · weight

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Great barracuda

length · weight

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General info

Lake Surprise is a lake located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. It is most popular for fishing Bluestriped grunt, Mangrove snapper, and Tarpon.

Location

25°10′50.9″N 80°22′44″W
Directions

Amenities

Fishing regulations at Lake Surprise, FL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Florida can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Bluestriped grunt

Bluestriped grunt

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Additional information
No minimum size. Bag limit = 100 pounds This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Fair
Synonyms
Haemulon sciurus
Season open: year-round
Mangrove snapper

Mangrove snapper

Regulation boundaryFL Atlantic State Waters
Bag limit5

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size10" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit10

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Special gear

Dehooking

Dehooking device use required as needed.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep-Whole

Must remain in whole condition until landed ashore - head and tail must be intact.

Descending Device/Venting Tool

Descending device or venting tool rigged and ready is required when fishing for reef fish, and use such device if releasing a fish that suffers from barotrauma. Get descending device gear for FREE by completing a 15-minute training from Return 'Em Right. Get started here: returnemright.org

Additional information
This species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Excellent. Here's a fun and tasty mangrove snapper Catch, Clean, Cook by Deer Meat for Dinner!
Synonyms
Lutjanus griseus, Mangrove Snapper
Season open: year-round
Tarpon

Tarpon

Regulation boundaryFL State Waters
Restrictions & requirements

Snagging

Harvest of this species by snagging (snatch hooking) is prohibited.

Spears

Harvest of this species by "spearing" is prohibited. Spearing includes the catching or taking of a fish by bow hunting, gigging, spearfishing, or by any device used to capture a fish by piercing the body.

Multiple Hooks

Harvest of this species by or with the use of any multiple hooks in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited.

Catch and Release Only

Daily Creel Limit = 0 (Catch and Release Fishing Only)

Required licenses
Tarpon Tag required to posess or harvest
Additional information
Tarpon is a catch-and-release only fishery. Hook and line only. Snagging, snatch hooking, spearing and the use of a multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait is prohibited. One tarpon tag per person per year may be purchased when in pursuit of an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record. Vessel, transport and shipment limited to one fish. Anglers are allowed to temporarily possess a Tarpon for photography, measurement of length and girth and scientific sampling. Tarpon more than 40 inches long MUST REMAIN IN THE WATER. For more info, see MyFWC Tarpon FAQsThis species may be eligible for prizes and recognition if you submit photos through CatchaFloridaMemory.com Visit their website for more information.
Edibility
Poor
Synonyms
Megalops atlanticus
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Local laws and licenses

Florida fishing license

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Reviews of Lake Surprise

5.0
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2 ratings

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1
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Cities nearby

Key Largo

4.5 miles away

North Key Largo

6.3 miles away

Tavernier

14.0 miles away

Florida City

18.9 miles away

Homestead

20.2 miles away

Homestead Base

21.6 miles away

Leisure City

21.9 miles away

Naranja

23.3 miles away

Princeton

24.8 miles away

Goulds

26.3 miles away

Cutler Bay

27.5 miles away

South Miami Heights

28.2 miles away

Richmond West

29.9 miles away

Palmetto Estates

30.4 miles away

Palmetto Bay

30.7 miles away

Country Walk

31.4 miles away

Three Lakes

31.9 miles away

Pinecrest

33.8 miles away

Kendall

33.8 miles away

The Crossings

33.9 miles away

The Hammocks

34.1 miles away

Layton

36.6 miles away

Duck Key

43.8 miles away

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FAQ about Lake Surprise fishing

📍 Where is Lake Surprise located?
Lake Surprise is a lake located in Monroe County, Florida, United States. Its coordinates are:
25°10′50.9″N 80°22′44″W
.
🎣 Where on Lake Surprise is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Lake Surprise by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Lake Surprise?
The most common species in Lake Surprise are:
📢 What are the latest Lake Surprise fishing reports?
The latest Lake Surprise fishing reports are:
🗓️ What species are in season at Lake Surprise right now?
According to fishing regulations at Lake Surprise, some of the species in season this October include: Common snook, Red grouper, Fat snook, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and Permit. For full details on other species — including bag limits, minimum and maximum size limits, and seasonal closures — download the .
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake Surprise?

Fishing in Florida requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Freshwater, saltwater, or combination licenses are available for residents and visitors, purchasable online, by phone, or at authorized retailers.

In Florida, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

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