Johnson Lake

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How deep is Johnson Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Johnson Lake?

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Johnson Lake is a 492-acre lake located thirteen miles north of Grand Rapids, MN. The lake has a public access on the south shore and the US Forest Service owns half the shoreline. Primary fish species include northern pike, panfish, and walleye. Johnson Lake has clear water, is moderately deep, and relatively unproductive compared to other area lakes. Gill net catch rates for northern pike have been increasing in recent assessments. The catch rate in 2005 was 9.3/net, which was higher than the expected range for similar lakes and higher than any previous assessment. Catch rates in assessments from 1991 and 1997 were 5.1 and 7.8/gill net, respectively. Higher catch rates are a concern, because many lakes have seen a shift to smaller slow growing fish as the population increases. Size structure was moderate with some larger fish sampled. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 24 inches by age five. The walleye gill net catch continues to be low compared to area lakes. The walleye gill net catch was 1.8/net, which was slightly lower than the average for similar lakes. Catch rates in the past three assessments varied from 0.5 to 1.7/net. Size structure was good with fish up to 26 inches sampled. Ten out of 16 fish were from the 2002 and 2003 year classes, the remaining fish were from the 1997 or earlier year classes. Walleye fingerlings were recently stocked in 2001 and 2004. Based on scale analysis it does not appear that the stocked year classes have contributed to the walleye population and natural reproduction is providing a modest fishery. Growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 19 inches at age six. Black crappie catch rates continue to be low. The gill net catch rate was 0.3/net and the trap net catch rate was 0.8/net. Both catch rates were toward the low end of the expected range. Size structure was good with fish up to 12 inches sampled, and growth was similar to the statewide average with fish averaging 9 inches at age four. Bluegill trap net catch rate was 26.4/net, which was toward the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes. The catch rate in this assessment was an increase over the two previous assessments that had catch rates of 7.0 and 8.0/trap net. Size structure was poor with no fish sampled greater than 8 inches. Yellow perch gill net catch was 12.1/net, which was at the upper end of the expected range. Yellow perch have increased compared to the previous two assessments that had catch rates of 0.3 and 2.3/net. Size structure was poor with no fish greater than 9 inches sampled. Yellow perch are an important prey species for northern pike and walleye, thus an increase from very low catch rates in past assessments is a positive change for the fishery. No smallmouth bass and only four largemouth were sampled in this assessment. Black bass are difficult to sample in standard assessment gears and the results from this assessment likely do not reflect the current population status. Future assessments will use spring electrofishing to sample largemouth and smallmouth bass. Other species sampled include pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, and white sucker.

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