Minnesota Fishing Guide

John Reservoir

Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota — DOW #87018100

253 Surveys
20.98
Acres
12 ft
Max Depth
0
11
Fish Species
0
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on John Reservoir. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

CRP

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 48.0 — 16
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 27.3 — 15
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 636.0 — 212

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 2.22 lb 3
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.54 lb 1
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.61 lb 5
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 1.5 — — 6
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 2.04 lb 9
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 2.5 — — 10
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.64 lb 4
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.89 lb 11
1995-06-26 Survey seining 16.3 — — 49
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 2.3 — — 9
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.18 lb 13
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 2.2 — 1.39 lb 13
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.2 – 2.2 1.80 lb 33

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 45.5 — — 25
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 150.0 — — 50
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 1.3 — — 5
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 1.5 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.16 lb 15
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 2.1 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.16 lb 19
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.22 lb 5
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 9.5 (above normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.08 lb 76
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 2.5 — — 10
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.31 lb 2
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 4.5 — — 18
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 69.0 — — 23
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.27 lb 8
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
1998-06-25 Standard electrofishing 3.1 — 0.22 lb 2
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.21 lb 23
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 5.0 — — 20
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 3.5 — — 14
1995-06-26 Survey seining 1.7 — — 5
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.3 (normal) 0.4 – 3.5 0.22 lb 13
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.8 — — 3

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 3.6 — — 2
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 12.0 — — 4
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 1.9 — 1.38 lb 19
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 2.44 lb 2
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 3.19 lb 4
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 5.11 lb 2
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 4.18 lb 4
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 3.70 lb 5
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.5 — 3.19 lb 5
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 1.9 — 1.17 lb 29
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 1.3 — 1.54 lb 5
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 0.3 — 1.17 lb 2
1995-06-26 Survey seining 0.3 — — 1
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 1.26 lb 1
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.1 — 2.21 lb 11

Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 3.0 — 1
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 10.9 — 6
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 58.4 — 10

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 1.8 — — 1
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.2 – 1.1 0.21 lb 3
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 64.3 — — 11
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 5.8 — 0.76 lb 4
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 393.0 — — 131
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 1.1 4.08 lb 1
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
1998-06-25 Standard electrofishing 10.8 — 2.37 lb 7
1995-06-26 Standard electrofishing 1.7 — 1.12 lb 1
1995-06-26 Survey seining 7.3 — — 22

Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 300.0 — 100
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 136.4 — 75
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 116.9 — 20
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 450.0 — 150

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 105.3 — — 421
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 4.8 (normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.16 lb 48
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 21.7 — — 15
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.18 lb 6
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 6.5 — — 26
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 6.3 (normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.28 lb 57
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 1.9 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.07 lb 15
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 9.3 — — 37
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.34 lb 1
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 6.3 — — 25
1998-06-25 Standard electrofishing 7.7 — 0.28 lb 5
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.25 lb 2
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 2.0 — — 8
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 4.1 (normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.14 lb 41
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 0.04 lb 1
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.25 lb 2
1995-06-26 Survey seining 4.3 — — 13
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 0.8 — — 3
1995-06-26 Standard electrofishing 1.7 — 0.01 lb 1
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 3.5 — — 14
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.6 (below normal) 2.8 – 43.3 0.17 lb 16

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 66.0 — — 264
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 18.5 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.10 lb 185
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 56.2 (above normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.07 lb 506
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 7.3 — — 29
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 19.6 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.27 lb 176
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 39.8 — 0.06 lb 159
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 13.9 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.16 lb 111
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 224.3 — — 897
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 12.6 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.37 lb 113
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 49.3 — — 197
1998-06-25 Standard electrofishing 18.5 — 0.29 lb 12
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 38.4 (above normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.28 lb 384
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 17.5 — — 70
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 2.6 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.38 lb 26
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 105.0 — 0.01 lb 420
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.59 lb 14
1995-06-26 Survey seining 50.3 — — 151
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 16.8 — — 67
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 11.5 (normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.25 lb 46
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 13.2 — 0.05 lb 79
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 21.0 — — 84
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 66.1 (above normal) 1.3 – 27.7 0.06 lb 661

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 1.8 — — 7
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 4.7 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.23 lb 47
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 23.9 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.07 lb 215
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 9.5 — — 38
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 144.6 — — 100
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 8.6 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.45 lb 77
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 189.3 — — 757
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 4.8 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.23 lb 38
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 40.3 — — 161
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 7.9 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.55 lb 71
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 18.8 — — 75
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 66.0 — — 22
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 8.8 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.34 lb 88
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 8.8 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.48 lb 88
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 198.0 — — 792
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 4.7 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.45 lb 71
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 19.8 — — 79
1995-06-26 Survey seining 6.3 — — 19
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 11.5 — — 46
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 11.5 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.37 lb 46
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 5.3 — 0.35 lb 32
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 3.6 (normal) 2.5 – 70.2 0.42 lb 36
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 3.3 — — 13

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 15.0 — — 5
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 1.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.30 lb 15
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 38.2 — — 21
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 58.4 — 0.01 lb 10
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.36 lb 2
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.9 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.64 lb 8
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.28 lb 4
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 48.0 — 0.08 lb 16
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.30 lb 21
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
1998-06-25 Standard electrofishing 23.1 — 0.36 lb 15
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 1.9 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.63 lb 19
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.7 (normal) 0.3 – 1.3 2.21 lb 7
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.3 0.56 lb 3
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 1.5 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.26 lb 6
1995-06-26 Standard electrofishing 5.1 — 0.83 lb 3
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 0.2 — 1.52 lb 1
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.4 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.3 1.39 lb 14

OTS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 1.8 — 1
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 24.0 — 8
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 175.3 — 30
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 36.0 — 12

OSS

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 3.8 — — 15
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 17.5 — — 3
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 28.9 — — 20
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 1.6 — 0.04 lb 14
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 3.0 — — 12
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 3.1 — 0.02 lb 25
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 1.8 — — 7
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.02 lb 4
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 2.8 — — 11
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.04 lb 4
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 2.3 — — 9
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 1.0 — 0.03 lb 10
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 6.0 — — 24
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.02 lb 2
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 60.8 — — 243
1995-06-26 Survey seining 6.7 — — 20
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 4.3 — — 17
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.06 lb 3
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 27.3 — — 109

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 9.3 0.07 lb 1
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.8 – 9.3 0.09 lb 1

Green Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.05 lb 1
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.08 lb 2
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.10 lb 7
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.05 lb 4
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.03 lb 3
1995-06-26 Survey seining 1.0 — — 3
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 3.8 0.11 lb 1

OTM

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 1818.2 — 1000

Common Carp

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 Fall electrofishing 3.0 — — 1
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2002-06-20 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 8.49 lb 1
2002-06-20 Standard electrofishing 18.2 — — 10
2008-06-23 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 4.94 lb 2
2008-06-23 Fall electrofishing 35.1 — — 6
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 144.6 — — 100
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.4 (normal) 0.4 – 2.9 2.91 lb 4
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2005-06-15 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 6.83 lb 2
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2005-06-15 Fall electrofishing 168.0 — — 56
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 1.20 lb 3
2014-06-18 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 6.75 lb 1
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 0.2 — 3.42 lb 1
1995-06-26 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 4.41 lb 1
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.9 2.95 lb 1

Tadpole Madtom

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2002-06-20 1/4-in trap nets 2.5 — — 10
2008-06-23 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — — 2
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.02 lb 1
2017-06-19 1/4-in trap nets 2.0 — — 8
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 5.0 — — 20
1998-06-25 Standard trap nets 0.1 — 0.05 lb 1
2024-06-10 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 17.5 — — 70
1995-06-26 Double trap nets 0.2 — 0.04 lb 1
1995-06-26 Survey seining 7.7 — — 23
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 3.8 — — 15
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 1.0 — — 4

Hybrid Sunfish

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2008-06-23 Standard electrofishing 28.9 — — 20
2021-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.12 lb 3
2021-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 1.3 — — 5
2017-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.4 — 0.05 lb 3
2005-06-15 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1
2024-06-10 Standard trap nets 0.2 — 0.15 lb 2
2011-06-14 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.12 lb 3
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — — 1

Common Shiner

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1998-06-25 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — 2

Fathead Minnow

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 40.0 — 160
1995-06-26 1/4-in trap nets 3.3 — 13
1995-06-26 Survey seining 55.0 — 165
2011-06-14 1/4-in trap nets 0.3 — 1

Iowa Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
2014-06-18 1/4-in trap nets 0.5 — 2

Johnny Darter

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Total Catch
1995-06-26 Survey seining 3.0 — 9

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 11 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Gilley's Bait Shop

Wood Lake, MN

(507) 591-2390

Ace Home & Hardware

Marshall, MN

(507) 532-3296

★ 4.5

Action Sports

Marshall, MN

(507) 532-9649

★ 4.5

Barrels And Arrows

Marshall, MN

(507) 530-5877

★ 4

Borch's Sporting Goods

Marshall, MN

(507) 532-4880

★ 4.3

Bott's Spot Sportscards & Collectibles LLC

Marshall, MN

(320) 808-7106

★ 4.9

Crystal Eyes Jigs LLC

Marshall, MN

(507) 360-1377

★ 5

Harbor Freight

Marshall, MN

(507) 706-6970

★ 4.7

Nearby Marinas

Boat Access

Russell, MN

★ 4

Independence Park, East Lyon Street

Marshall, MN

(507) 537-6760

★ 4.7

Ziegler CAT Marshall

Marshall, MN

(800) 325-4929

★ 4.8

Resorts & Lodges Near John Reservoir

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near John Reservoir.

Prairie's Edge Casino Resort
Fishing Resort Granite Falls

(320) 564-2121

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Fish Species

Species known to inhabit John Reservoir. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black BullheadBlack CrappieBluegillCommon CarpGreen SunfishHybrid SunfishNorthern PikeOrangespotted SunfishWalleyeWhite SuckerYellow Perch

Other Lakes in Yellow Medicine County

Curtis

381.54 acres

Del Clark

156.3 acres

R6

33.22 acres

Tyson

165.85 acres

Wood

484.68 acres

Plan Your Trip to John Reservoir

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.