Johnson

Johnson Lake is a clear, deep lake covering about 492 acres and located roughly thirteen miles north of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The lake reaches a maximum depth of 88 feet and has excellent water clarity, with visibility of about 17 feet during the 2025 survey. Shallow nearshore habitat makes up about 146 acres, and the shoreline extends for approximately 7.4 miles. During summer sampling, oxygen levels dropped to very low levels between about 65 and 75 feet, which means fish had suitable cold, oxygenated water above that depth. A concrete public boat access is available on the south shore and is open for public use. The Lake Management Plan for Johnson Lake was last updated in 2015. The lake is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie, with Northern Pike as a secondary focus. Management goals include maintaining strong bass numbers and providing Black Crappie large enough for anglers to harvest. No recent fish stocking has occurred, and none is currently recommended because fish populations are reproducing naturally. Fishing regulations follow statewide rules. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources surveyed the lake from June 18 through June 26, 2025, using gill nets, trap nets, and water quality equipment. Spring electrofishing for bass was not completed during this survey period due to workload limitations. Even though bass electrofishing was not done during this survey, both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass were still caught in gill nets. Largemouth Bass were found at higher levels than what is typical for similar lakes. The Largemouth Bass that were sampled ranged from about 11 to 19 inches long, which means anglers can expect a good number of fish at desirable sizes. Only one Smallmouth Bass was caught, measuring about 15 inches, which suggests they are present but not common in the lake. Black Crappie were present at moderate levels compared to similar lakes. Crappie up to 12 inches were present, with an average length near 8 inches. While some fish approached desirable harvest size, most crappies were under ten inches. The catch was too small to fully evaluate size or age structure, but results indicate ongoing reproduction but variable year-class strength. Northern Pike were commonly caught in gill nets and were more abundant than what is typically seen in similar lakes. Pike ranged in length from about 14 to 29 inches, with an average length of 21.8 inches. Most pike were in the smaller to mid-size range, with many fish just reaching sizes that anglers consider good eating. Fewer large pike were present, and no very large fish were sampled. Growth rates were moderate, with pike reaching about 21.5 inches by age four. Anglers should expect consistent action for pike, especially smaller and medium-sized fish, but limited opportunities for trophy-sized individuals. Anglers can help improve size quality by limiting harvest to fish under 22 inches. Johnson Lake has historically supported low numbers of Walleye, and that pattern continued in 2025. Walleye were caught at low levels compared to similar lakes. Fish ranged from about 15 to 24 inches, with an average length of 20.6 inches. Most Walleye sampled were older fish, and anglers may occasionally encounter a Walleye, but the population remains limited due to poor overall conditions for Walleye management. Yellow Perch were present at levels typical for similar lakes. Perch ranged from about 5.6 to 8.7 inches, with an average length of 6.4 inches. Most perch were small and likely serve as prey for predator fish rather than providing consistent harvest opportunities for anglers. Bluegill were very abundant in trap net catches and occurred at higher levels than in most similar lakes. Bluegill ranged from about 3.1 to 7.5 inches, with an average length of 4.6 inches. The population was dominated by small fish, which suggests strong reproduction but limited growth into larger sizes. Anglers should expect plenty of action but few large Bluegill. Other fish species captured during the survey included Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, hybrid sunfish, and White Sucker.

Johnson Lake is a 492-acre lake located 14 miles north of Grand Rapids in the Chippewa National Forest and the Mississippi River watershed. A public access is located on the southwest shore in a small bay west of the two islands with parking for six vehicles with trailers. The lake has a maximum depth of 88 feet and 30% is 15 feet or less. Water chemistry analysis indicates hard water and low fertility, resulting in the lake having a limited capacity to support a lot of fish. The lake's water is fairly clear with visibility to 12 feet. No inlets or outlets are present. A targeted survey to sample Black Crappie occurred in fall 2016 using trap nets and in spring 2017 using electrofishing. The Black Crappie population has low density, average size distribution and slow growth. A low number of crappie were sampled (6) electrofishing in spring 2017. This compares to the relatively low number sampled (39) with trap nets in the fall of 2016. In spring 2017, lengths ranged from 7.9 to 11.1 inches, with an average of 9.5 inches. This compares to fall 2016 lengths that ranged from 4.3 to 12.0 inches with an average of 6.7 inches. In spring 2017, ages ranged from 6 to 10, with four age classes sampled. In fall 2016 ages ranged from 2 to 10 with nine age classes represented. Growth was below average in both surveys. Black Crappie take seven years to exceed eight inches. In order to maintain or improve fish and wildlife populations, water quality and habitat must be protected. People often associate water quality problems with large-scale agricultural, forestry, urban development or industrial practices in the watershed. In reality, the impact of land use decisions on one lake lot may be relatively small, yet the cumulative impact of those decisions on many lake lots can result in a significant decline in water quality and habitat. For example, removing shoreline and aquatic vegetation, fertilizing lawns, mowing to the water's edge, installing beach sand blankets, failing septic systems and uncontrolled run-off, all contribute excess nutrients and sediment which degrade water quality and habitat. Understanding these cumulative impacts and taking steps to avoid or minimize them will help to insure our quality fisheries can be enjoyed by future generations. Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow and/or minimize the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

Johnson Lake is located 14 miles north of Grand Rapids, MN in the Mississippi River watershed. The lake has a surface area of 492 acres and a maximum depth of 88 feet. Johnson Lake is in ecological lake class 23. Class 23 lakes are relatively small, deep, clear lakes with modest productivity. Other area lakes in this class are Antler, Bello and Thistledew Lakes. Johnson Lake was part of a statewide Walleye fryling stocking evaluation study. OTC-marked Walleye frylings were stocked at rates of 75/littoral acre in 2009 and 150/littoral acre in 2011. The 2014 special assessment was conducted to evaluate the success of these stockings in this lake type. Only three Walleye were captured in 2014 for a catch rate of 0.3/gill net. This is the lowest catch rate in any of the six assessments since 1981. Sampled Walleye ranged from 17.5 to 21.0 inches. Analysis of scale samples revealed only one of the three walleye was attributable to a year of fryling stocking. Test-netting results have indicated that Walleye fryling and/or fingerling stocking does not substantially improve the population in Johnson Lake. The gill-net catch for Northern Pike was above the lake class third quartile at 9.0/net. Northern Pike size structure was relatively poor; sampled pike ranged from 8.9 to 35.4 inches with a mean length of 21.2 inches. Northern Pike catch rates and size structure indices were similar in the previous three assessments. A high density of small Northern Pike is probably a limiting factor for improvement in the Walleye population. The Black Crappie catch rate was well above the lake class third quartile at 5.3/gill net, but size structure was poor. Sampled crappie ranged from 4.4 to 10.2 inches with a mean length of 6.5 inches. The Yellow Perch catch rate was near the lake class first quartile at 2.1/gill net. Sampled perch ranged from 5.4 to 10.6 inches with a mean length of 6.4 inches. Other species sampled in this assessment included Bluegill, Burbot, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass and White Sucker.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, and Walleye in Johnson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Johnson. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Johnson has a maximum depth of 88 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Johnson is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Johnson in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.