Johnson

Johnson is a 30.5 acre lake with a maximum depth of 24 feet and 18.1 acres (59%) of littoral area. Located about 3.5 miles southeast of Finland, MN, Johnson Lake is completely on property owned by the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center (ELC). The simplistic fish community consists of: walleye, white sucker, smallmouth bass and yellow perch. Eighteen walleyes were sampled in the 2009 survey, a decline from the 39 walleyes recorded in the previous investigation in 1999. Lengths ranged from 7.1 to 21.8 inches with a mean of 14.8 inches. Growth was very good with age-4 walleye averaging 16.9 inches at annulus formation, well above the area average of 13.1 inches. Natural reproduction was consistent from year-to-year with 5 year classes present and no year classes dominating the walleye population. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch were also sampled, collecting low numbers of young fish. White suckers dominated the sample as they have done in previous investigations.

Fish collected in DNR test nets in Johnson Lake in 1999 were walleye, yellow perch and white sucker. The walleye population is high in Johnson Lake compared to similar lakes in this area. The fish that were captured ranged in size from 7.5 inches to 19.5 inches but average size was only 12.1 inches (0.76 pound). Yellow perch numbers are above average and there are a fair number of fish in the 9.5 inch to 10.5 inch range present. Smallmouth bass are also in the lake however none were captured in the 1999 survey. Smallmouth bass collected in other surveys were usually too small to be of interest to anglers.

Previous surveys have found that walleye numbers in Johnson Lake are usually higher than in similar small lakes. The 1994 assessment indicated walleye numbers continue to be high. Individuals up to 23.1 inches were sampled with nearly 66% of the fish sampled exceeding 16 inches. The walleye population is maintained entirely thru natural reproduction. Test nets also indicate that smallmouth bass are fairly abundant, however the averge size of the fish sampled was only 9.6 inches, leaving them undesirable for most anglers. The largest smallmouth bass sampled in the 1994 assessment was 14.3 inches (1.4 pounds). Yellow perch have become quite abundant following recent stockings (walleye forage), however most are not of sufficient size to interest anglers. Access to Johnson Lake is controlled by the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center. Access to the public is limited to foot travel (hiking trails) to the lake. No outboard motors or motorized vehicles are allowed on the lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye and Yellow Perch in Johnson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Johnson. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Johnson has a maximum depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Johnson is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.