(2)Today's Best Fishing Times
Get the best fishing times for Johnson Lake with Lake-Link's Fishing Forecast. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Johnson Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Johnson Lake, MN
- How big is Johnson Lake?
- How deep is Johnson Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Johnson Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Johnson Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Johnson Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Johnson Lake?
- Are there boat launches on Johnson Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Johnson Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Johnson Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Johnson Lake?
How big is Johnson Lake?
How deep is Johnson Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Johnson Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Johnson Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Johnson Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Johnson Lake?
Are there boat launches on Johnson Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Johnson Lake?
Explore the Johnson Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
Adventure Awaits in the 2021 Heartland Mallard Pathfinder P16SRD
Hermantown, MN
History & Status of the Fishery
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.
What is the average air temp for Johnson Lake?
Are there any state parks near Johnson Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
Johnson Lake Reviews
Below is the word on street about Johnson Lake.Have you been to Johnson Lake? Why not share your personal reveiw with others?
Submit Review
robert g.
jim c.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Johnson Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| One Pine Lake | 1.9 mi | 355 | 13 ft |
| Blueberry Lake | 2.3 mi | 125 | 6 ft |
| Mitchell Lake | 3.0 mi | 248 | 38 ft |
| Twin Lake | 3.6 mi | 224 | 51 ft |
| Bear Island Lake | 3.6 mi | 2,362 | 62 ft |
| Muckwa Lake | 3.7 mi | 147 | 8.5 ft |
| Perch Lake | 3.7 mi | 100 | 13 ft |
| Erickson Lake | 3.9 mi | 21 | 13 ft |
| Purvis Lake | 4.4 mi | 53 | 50 ft |
| Whisper Lake | 4.5 mi | 46 | 25 ft |
