Little Johnson

Little Johnson Lake is a Class 16 lake located 10 miles northwest of Crane Lake, MN, adjacent to Voyageurs National Park. This remote lake is accessed by boat from Johnson Lake, which is connected to Little Johnson by a 2.5-mile boat ride on the Johnson River. The total surface area is 566 acres and maximum depth is 28 feet. Little Johnson Lake is relatively shallow; 83 percent of the surface area (471 acres) is less than 15 feet deep. A water chemistry analysis done in 2003 suggests a lake with low fertility and low productivity. Current fishing regulations on Little Johnson Lake for Walleye follow the statewide regulation, which is a 6-combination total possession limit with not more than one Walleye over 20". Northern Pike follows the Northeast Zone regulation, which is a possession limit of 2 with not more than 1 over 40" in possession and all Northern Pike from 30-40" must be immediately released. Bass fishing regulations follow the Northeast Zone regulation, which is six combined Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass possession limit. Walleye gill-net catch rate was 11.1 fish per net which is well above average for similar lakes. Catch rate was above the management goal of 8.0 fish per net for Little Johnson Lake. Total length ranged from 4.7 to 25.0 inches and mean length was 16.0 inches. Average weight was 1.6 pounds which is above average for similar class lakes. A total of 16 year classes were present, and ages ranged from 1-19 years. Little Johnson Lake offers a good Walleye fishing opportunity, there are good numbers of Walleyes in Little Johnson Lake. Northern Pike gill-net catch rate was 15.4 fish per net, which is well above the average for similar class lakes. Catch rate was higher than the management goal of an abundance less than 6.0 fish per gill net for Little Johnson Lake. Total length ranged from 13.4 to 31.6 inches and the mean length was 19.9 inches. Mean weight of Northern Pike captured in gill nets was 1.6 pounds which is below average for similar lakes. A total of seven year classes were present, and ages ranged from 1 - 7 years. Little Johnson Lake offers a decent fishing opportunity for Northern Pike. Smallmouth Bass gill net catch rate was 3.6 fish per net, which is above average for similar class lakes. Total Length ranged from 9.2 to 20.1 inches and the mean was 14.7 inches. Average weight was 1.9 pounds, which is above average for similar class lakes. Ten year classes were present, and ages ranged from 3-20 years. Little Johnson Lake offers a good fishing opportunity with quality Smallmouth Bass in the system. Yellow Perch gill-net catch rate was 5.2 fish per net, which is below average for similar lakes. Total length ranged from 5.8 to 11.3 inches and the mean length was 7.3 inches. Mean weight was 0.2 pounds, which is below average for similar lakes. Five year classes were present, and ages ranged from 3-7 years. Yellow Perch can offer an additional fishing opportunity but also offers great forage for Walleye and Northern Pike.

Little Johnson is located approximately 37 miles east-southeast of International Falls, Minnesota, or approximately 10 miles northwest of the community of Crane Lake, Minnesota. This remote lake is accessed by boat from Johnson Lake, which is connected to Little Johnson by a 2.5 mile boat ride on the Johnson River. Little Johnson and the nearby connected lakes (Johnson and Spring) provide an extremely diverse community of fish populations ranging from coldwater Lake Trout to a thriving warmwater bass fishery. Little Johnson is the warmest and shallowest of these lakes, with over 80% of the lake being less than 15 feet deep. Little Johnson was surveyed in 2017 as part of a regular rotation of investigational surveys in the International Falls management area. Northern Pike catch rates were at a record high in 2017. The average size was 20 inches, but fish up to 30 inches were caught. The majority of the Northern Pike sampled in 2017 were young, with 78% of the fish being 2 to 3 years old. Smallmouth were also at record high numbers in 2017. Not only are Smallmouth Bass caught at rates greatly exceeding what would be expected for Little Johnson, growth rates are still similar to other International Falls area lakes and the average size is over 14 inches. Smallmouth up to an estimated age of 14 years old were caught in this survey. Walleye catch rates in 2017 were within the expected range for lakes similar to Little Johnson. The average size is bigger than what would be expected, with an average length of about 17 inches. Little Johnson produces very consistent year classes of Walleye through natural reproduction. Of the Walleye that were aged, there were representatives of nearly every year class since 2003 in the sample. Little Johnson Walleyes also grow faster than average when compared to other International Falls area lakes. Other fish caught during the 2017 survey included Lake Whitefish, Rock Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.

Little Johnson is located about 10 miles northwest of Crane Lake, MN. The lake is 481 acres and 98% is less than 15 feet deep. The lake is connected to Johnson Lake by the Johnson River. The fish community is fairly diverse and is managed primarily for walleye and secondarily for northern pike. Northern pike abundance and average weight were within the typical ranges for this lake type. The average weight was 1.31 pounds and the average length was 18.8 inches; fish up to 23.0 inches were sampled. Smallmouth bass are abundant and sizes should provide great fishing. Fish up to 18.0 inches were captured in the 2010 investigation and the average was 13.9 inches. The average weight was 1.56 pounds. Walleye abundance was within the typical range for this lake type, but lower than levels historically seen in Little Johnson Lake. Size was above average and should satisfy anglers that are seeking walleye. Average weight was 1.76 pounds, which is heavier than the typical range for this lake type. Fish up 25.6 inches were sampled and the average was 16.5. Growth rate was much greater than the area and statewide averages. Yellow perch were sampled but sizes were small and are likely more important as forage for predators than as a recreational fish for anglers. Very few fish above 9 inches were sampled.

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

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

Little Johnson has a maximum depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Little Johnson is from 2023.

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