Johnson

Johnson Lake is located approximately 6 miles south of Ely in the Superior National Forest. The rolling shoreline is forested in a pine-hardwood mix and is lightly developed by area standards. Maximum depth is 19 feet and much of the lake is shallower than 15 feet. A heavy bog stain limits water clarity, which was four feet at the time of the survey. Submerged vegetation is sparse, but emergent vegetation is prominent in shallow bays. A gravel access is located on the southeast side of the lake off CR 21. Shallow rocks and tight corners can make launching a large boat difficult. A 3/4 mile portage to the Beaver River is located on the west end of Johnson Lake and is most often used by snowmobiles. Eleven species of fish were sampled in this survey of Johnson Lake. Total yield for both gill nets (22.6 lbs/net) and trap nets (27.7 lbs/net) were the highest on record for the lake. Northern pike dominated the gill net catch and bluegill dominated the trap net sets. Black crappie were sampled in numbers near their historic average. Low numbers of other gamefish, including walleye and largemouth bass, were also sampled. Black bullhead were first detected in 2018, and were present in greater size and abundance in 2022. Northern pike numbers (7.3/gill net) were the highest surveyed for the lake and above the third quartile (6.3/gill net) when compared to similar lakes in the area. The average pike measured 21 inches which was larger than the historic average of 19.5 inches. Seventeen percent of the pike were longer than 24 inches, and the largest pike was 31 inches. Though not represented in this survey Johnson has produced trophy pike occasionally. Bluegill numbers (23.8/trap net) were also the highest on record and well above the third quartile (6.3/gill net) of the lake class. The average bluegill was just over 6 inches which was similar to the average for Johnson Lake. Only 2% of the bluegill were 8 inches or larger. Growth rates were average for the lake class. The largest bluegill was nearly 10 inches long. Anglers are encouraged to release large bluegill to maintain quality size structure. Black crappie abundance (6.3/trap net) was on par with the historic average for this lake and above average (3.1/trap net) for its lake class. The crappie average length was just over 8 inches, which was near the overall lake average. Forty-six percent of the crappie sampled in 2018 were 8 inches or larger with a maximum length of 11 inches. The 2014 and 2018 year classes were most prevalent. Six walleye were sampled with the majority captured in trap nets. Sizes ranged from 15.5 to 23 inches and growth rates were normal for the area. Eighty percent of aged fish were from stocked years. Largemouth bass were captured in low abundance but at a quality size of 18 inches. Standard survey nets traditionally undersample bass and they are likely more abundant than this survey suggests. A few of the game fish examined in 2022 were infected with neascus (black spot). It is a common parasite native to the area.

Johnson Lake is located approximately 6 miles S of Ely in the Superior National Forest. Johnson's shorelines are lightly developed by area standards. The surrounding landcape is covered with abundant pines and other conifers. There is a gravel access located on the SE side of the lake off CR 21. A discrete portage to Beaver River is located on the far W end of Johnson Lake and is most often used by snowmobiles during the winter months. Twelve species of fish were sampled during the 2018 survey of Johnson Lake. Northern pike (33%) and bluegill (35%) dominated the gill net and trap net catches, respectively. Black crappie were sampled in numbers near their historic averages. Low numbers of other gamefish including walleye were also sampled. Of particular interest in 2018 was the first sampling of black bullhead ever recorded from Johnson Lake. Northern pike numbers in 2018 (4.5/gill net) were above the historic average (3.0/gill net) for this lake and slightly higher than average (4.0/gill net) when compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average pike sampled measured 21.2 inches which is larger than the historic average length of 19.2 inches. Approximately 11% of the pike sampled in 2018 were 24 inches or larger with one large specimen measuring 42 inches sampled from one of the trap nets. Bluegill numbers in 2018 (9.2/trap net) were above the historic average (5.8/trap net) for this lake and well above average (1.5/trap net) compared to other area lakes which are similar. The average bluegill sampled in 2018 was 6.1 inches which is nearly identical to the historic average length for Johnson Lake. Only 4% of the bluegill sampled were 8 inches or larger. Black crappie abundance in 2018 (5.4/trap net) was similar to the historic average for this lake and above average (3.1/trap net) compared to other similar area lakes. Crappie average length was 7.6 inches which is slightly smaller than the historic average length of 8.1 inches. Fourteen percent of the crappie sampled in 2018 were 8 inches or larger up to a maximum length of 11.2 inches recorded. A total of 14 walleye were sampled in 2018. Walleye fingerlings are stocked every third year on Johnson Lake and in 2018 approximately 77% of the walleye sampled were from years where stocking occurred. Walleye growth appears to be below average when compared to other area lakes. Walleye lengths ranged from 9 inches to 27 inches. Black bullheads were sampled with both gear types in 2018. Their numbers are currently above average compared to other area lakes where bullheads are present. Bullhead lengths averaged about 9 inches with the largest recorded at 13.5 inches long.

Johnson Lake is 465-acre lake with a maximum depth of 18 feet located six miles south of Ely in northeastern St. Louis County. There is an earthen public access on the east end of the lake off of county road 21. The access can be treacherous with submerged boulders out front when the lake is low. The lake is lightly developed since most of the shoreline is public land. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has classified Minnesota lakes into 43 different types based on physical and chemical characteristics. Johnson is in lake class 12. Lakes in this class typically are small in size with much of the lake less than 15 feet deep. Other area lakes in the same lake class include: Ed Shave, Everett, Moosecamp, and Grassy Lakes. The primary predator fish in Johnson Lake is northern pike. Their abundance in 2012 was typical of other class 12 lakes. Pike ranged in length from 17 inches to 25 inches with an average length of about 20 inches. Walleye fingerling stocking provides an opportunity for anglers to catch walleye in Johnson Lake. Ten of the 12 walleye captured in the 2012 investigation were from stocked years. Walleye sampled in the assessment ranged from 9 to 19 inches, averaging 15 inches. In 2012, bluegill abundance was the highest ever recorded and higher than what would typically be found in this lake class. The reason for this high abundance is consistent recruitment from many different years. Nine different year classes were present but the 2006 year class (age 6) made up 43% of the sample. Bluegill ranged in length from 3 to 9 inches but most were under 7 inches long. Anglers are encouraged to throw back the largest bluegills and keep a few of the medium-sized fish for table fare. This allows large fish that grow fast to breed, which helps maintain the good size structure of the population. Another panfish found in Johnson Lake is black crappie. Most crappie were 4 to 5 inches long with a few in the 9 to 12 inch range. Other fish sampled were rock bass, white sucker, yellow perch, and yellow bullhead. No largemouth bass were captured in 2012, however they can be found in Johnson Lake.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass 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 18 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Johnson is from 2022.

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.