John Reservoir

John Reservoir is located approximately three miles west of Porter in Yellow Medicine County. John is a 20-acre flood control impoundment on a tributary to Mud Creek that was constructed by the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District in 1981. Public property surrounds almost the entire lake, including a concrete boat ramp, making this water body very accessible. Fishing opportunities exist for black crappies, bluegills, yellow perch, walleyes, northern pike and black bullheads. This 2024 targeted survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data using standard and small-mesh trap nets. These data can be compared to historical standard and targeted survey data from John Lake. Black crappies were moderately abundant and the average size was 9 inches, with some exceeding 11 inches. Moderate numbers of bluegills were present including relatively high numbers of 3 to 4-inchers, but some were 7.5 to 8.5 inches as well. Yearling and/or adult walleyes are stocked annually. Walleyes caught in this survey were 10-24 inches. Northern pike numbers have usually been low, but large fish have typically been present. Five pike were caught and the largest was 27 inches. John Reservoir is in the southern northern pike management zone where two pike are allowed in possession and they must have a minimum length of 24 inches. Black bullheads were present in moderate numbers and they averaged 9 inches. The yellow perch catch was moderate and most were 7 to 9 inches. Future management activities include fish population assessments, fish stocking, winter dissolved oxygen monitoring and fishing pressure counts.

John Reservoir is a 20-acre flood control impoundment on a tributary to Mud Creek that was constructed by the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District in 1981. It is located approximately 3 miles west of Porter in Yellow Medicine County. A concrete boat ramp and public property surrounding almost the entire lake make this water body very accessible. Fishing opportunities exist for Black Crappies, Bluegills, Yellow Perch, Walleyes, Northern Pike and Black Bullheads. This targeted survey in 2021 was conducted to collect routine fish population data using standard trap nets, electrofishing and quarter-inch trap nets. These data can be compared to historical standard and targeted survey data from John Reservoir. In the 2021 survey, Black Crappie were abundant with many from 9 to 10 inches and some over 11 inches. Bluegill were more numerous than in previous surveys. More than half of those netted were longer than 7 inches with several over 8 inches. Yearling and/or adult Walleyes are stocked annually and they can range from 12 to 20 inches. Eight Walleyes were caught during the survey measuring 12 to 21 inches. Northern Pike numbers have usually been low, but large fish are typically present. Four pike were netted and the largest measured 29 inches. Black Bullheads were present in moderate numbers and they averaged 10 inches. Yellow Perch numbers were low in 2021 and the largest measured just over 9 inches. Beginning May 2018, new regulations for Northern Pike are in effect. John Reservoir is in the Southern management zone meaning anglers/spearers are allowed to possess 2 pike with a minimum size of 24 inches. See the regulations booklet for more details. Future management activities include fish population assessments, fish stocking, winter dissolved oxygen monitoring, and fishing pressure counts.

John Reservoir is a 20-acre flood control impoundment constructed by the Yellow Medicine River Watershed District in 1981. It is located approximately 3 miles west of Porter in Yellow Medicine County on a tributary stream to Mud Creek. A concrete boat ramp and public property surrounding almost the entire lake make this water body very accessible. Fishing opportunities exist for Black Crappies, Yellow Perch, Walleyes, Northern pike and Black Bullheads. This targeted survey was conducted to collect routine fish population data using standard trap nets and quarter-inch trap nets. These data can be compared to historical standard and targeted survey data from John Reservoir. Black Crappie were abundant and measured up to 11 inches, though most were 7-9 inches. Yellow Perch were also abundant, but the majority were 5.5 to 6.5 inches, with a few larger perch present. Walleyes are stocked annually, with most measuring 7-12 inches, but larger ones up to 20 inches have also been included. Four Walleyes were caught during this survey measuring 15-17 inches. Northern Pike numbers have usually been low, but fish up to 30 inches have typically been present. Black Bullheads were present in moderate numbers with many fish around 8 inches. Future management activities include fish population assessments, fish stocking, winter dissolved oxygen monitoring, and fishing pressure counts.

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

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

John Reservoir has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in John Reservoir is from 2024.

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