Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 18, 2025
Johnson Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Johnson Lake average 3.97 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 18, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–29 inches. In Itasca County, Minnesota, Johnson Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 15.7 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Johnson Lake
11 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Johnson Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Johnson Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Johnson Lake average 3.97 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 18, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–29 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Johnson Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
13 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2025-06-18 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 8.35 | 0.13 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.97 | 2 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 3.95 | 0.15 lb |
| Bluntnose Minnow | 3.36 | — |
| Largemouth Bass | 3.15 | 0.72 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Northern Pike
Yellow Perch
Largemouth Bass
From the 2025-06-18 survey
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…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Johnson Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — JohnsonFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Johnson (0614)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — JohnsonFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — JohnsonPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Johnson Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Johnson Lake average 3.97 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 13 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 18, 2025. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 13–29 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 11 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Johnson Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Johnson Lake is dated June 18, 2025. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Johnson Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Johnson Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Johnson Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Johnson Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Johnson Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Johnson Lake
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