Minnesota Fishing Guide

Johnson

Itasca County, Minnesota — DOW #31068700

124 Surveys
304.37
Acres
51 ft
Max Depth
0
12
Fish Species
9
Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Burbot

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.3 2.90 lb 1
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.8 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.5 2.00 lb 3
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.3 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.3 3.05 lb 2
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.3 1.50 lb 1

Northern Pike

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.69 lb 29
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.30 lb 20
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 1.5 — 1.50 lb 6
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 4.5 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.76 lb 27
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.04 lb 38
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.5 — 1.58 lb 9
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 9.2 (above normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.48 lb 55
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 6.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.18 lb 38
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 2.00 lb 3
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 4.3 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 2.09 lb 26
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.3 — 0.92 lb 3
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 8.7 (normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.77 lb 52
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 1.8 — 1.75 lb 16
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 11.2 (above normal) 2.2 – 8.7 1.73 lb 67

Rock Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.90 lb 2
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.5 (below normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.25 lb 2
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.33 lb 6
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.24 lb 5
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.7 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.18 lb 10
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.40 lb 7
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.32 lb 7
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.28 lb 2
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 1.9 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.20 lb 17
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.28 lb 7
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.34 lb 7
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.46 lb 2
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.2 (normal) 0.8 – 3.7 0.36 lb 20
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.7 – 4.4 0.30 lb 8

Walleye

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.29 lb 24
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 6.7 (above normal) 1.0 – 5.0 0.97 lb 40
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 1.0 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.7 2.00 lb 4
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 2.37 lb 6
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.22 lb 20
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.5 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 0.40 lb 3
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 2.3 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.28 lb 14
2006-05-22 Standard electrofishing 1.1 — 0.04 lb 2
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 2.0 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 3.02 lb 12
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.2 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 2.50 lb 2
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 0.89 lb 10
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.7 3.67 lb 1
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.7 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 1.33 lb 10
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.6 (normal) 0.2 – 0.7 4.21 lb 5
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 1.0 – 5.0 2.47 lb 8

Yellow Perch

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.4 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.14 lb 29
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 2.8 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.14 lb 11
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 3.3 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.17 lb 20
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 4.0 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.09 lb 24
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.8 (normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.21 lb 11
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 9.7 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.16 lb 58
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 13.7 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.11 lb 82
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.07 lb 3
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 (below normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.10 lb 3
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 3.8 (above normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.09 lb 34
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 11.8 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.09 lb 71
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.4 – 2.3 0.12 lb 3
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 5.8 (normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.08 lb 35
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 20.5 (above normal) 1.5 – 13.8 0.07 lb 123

White Sucker

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 1.5 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.58 lb 18
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 3.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.0 3.05 lb 20
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 3.8 (above normal) 0.2 – 0.7 2.93 lb 15
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 1.8 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.60 lb 11
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.3 (above normal) 0.5 – 2.0 3.50 lb 14
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.30 lb 2
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.48 lb 7
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.19 lb 8
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 2.59 lb 6
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.5 – 2.0 1.96 lb 8

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 7.2 (normal) 1.3 – 10.4 2.05 lb 86
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 12.2 (above normal) 1.3 – 10.4 0.51 lb 73
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 2.2 (normal) 1.3 – 10.4 2.78 lb 13
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 0.3 (below normal) 1.3 – 10.4 2.00 lb 2
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 1.2 (below normal) 1.3 – 10.4 0.85 lb 7
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.3 – 10.4 1.01 lb 4
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.3 – 10.4 3.06 lb 6
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.3 – 10.4 1.81 lb 4

Bluegill

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1969-07-05 Standard gill nets 0.1 — 0.80 lb 1
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.8 (below normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.17 lb 3
1982-07-14 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.60 lb 1
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.3 (below normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.19 lb 8
1988-07-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.10 lb 1
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.17 lb 1
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 32.4 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.09 lb 292
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 4.0 (below normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.07 lb 36
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 1.8 — 0.37 lb 11
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 19.0 (normal) 7.7 – 43.4 0.21 lb 171
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 1.0 — 0.08 lb 6

Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 1.8 — 0.71 lb 7

Bowfin

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.8 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 3.67 lb 3
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.2 – 0.3 8.00 lb 1
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.3 – 1.0 7.68 lb 6
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 2.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.0 5.22 lb 18
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 5.15 lb 2
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 3.99 lb 1

Black Crappie

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1972-09-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.20 lb 1
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 1.30 lb 1
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 1.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.11 lb 8
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 1.2 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.22 lb 7
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.3 (below normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.16 lb 3
2000-06-19 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.14 lb 3
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 3.0 (above normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.26 lb 18
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.0 (normal) 0.5 – 2.2 0.25 lb 18
2006-06-05 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.97 lb 1

LKW

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1972-09-11 Standard gill nets 0.8 (normal) 0.4 – 5.9 1.80 lb 5

Largemouth Bass

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 4.30 lb 1
2018-06-11 Standard gill nets 0.5 (normal) 0.5 – 1.7 1.79 lb 3
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 1.0 (normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.08 lb 9
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.4 – 1.5 0.03 lb 1
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.5 – 1.7 0.90 lb 1

Brown Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 0.2 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 1.10 lb 1
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 0.3 – 1.0 0.92 lb 1

Pumpkinseed

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
1988-07-05 Standard trap nets 1.0 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.12 lb 6
1977-09-12 Standard gill nets 0.2 — 0.10 lb 1
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.16 lb 4
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.9 (below normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.15 lb 8
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 2.3 (normal) 1.4 – 5.9 0.36 lb 21

Yellow Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2018-06-11 Standard trap nets 0.7 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.3 0.54 lb 6
2000-06-19 Standard trap nets 0.1 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.3 0.40 lb 1
2008-06-09 Standard gill nets 0.2 (below normal) 1.0 – 6.0 0.11 lb 1
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.4 (below normal) 1.0 – 5.3 0.57 lb 4

Black Bullhead

Date Gear CPUE Normal Range Avg Weight Total Catch
2008-06-09 Standard trap nets 0.3 (normal) 0.3 – 1.7 0.20 lb 3

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Best Bet Waxworm Wholesale Bait & Breeder Kits

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 5

Bite Me Waxworms Wholesale Bait Shop

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-2222

★ 3.7

Diamond Custom Rods

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4108

★ 5

Fred's Live Bait & Tackle

Deer River, MN

(218) 246-8710

★ 4.8

Frontier Sports

Marcell, MN

(218) 832-3901

★ 4.6

Glen's Army & Navy Store

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-1201

★ 4.3

God's Country Outfitters

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-9866

★ 4.4

Hollywood Bait

Coleraine, MN

(218) 245-1660

★ 4.5

Nearby Marinas

Bass Lake public Water Access - Whispering Pines

Grand Rapids, MN

★ 3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 326-0351

★ 4.3

Grand Rapids Marine

Grand Rapids, MN

Marine Clinic

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 244-4281

★ 4.9

Mishawaka Outdoors LLC

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 812-8888

NorthStar Barge

Grand Rapids, MN

(218) 269-0566

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Johnson

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Johnson.

Anchor Inn Resort
Fishing Resort Spring Lake

(218) 659-2718
Birch Haven Resort Closed
Fishing Resort Bovey

(218) 910-9707
Bowen Lodge
Fishing Resort Deer River

(218) 246-8707
Loon Point Resort
Fishing Resort Bigfork

(218) 245-1470

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black CrappieBluegillBowfin (Dogfish)Largemouth BassNorthern PikePumpkinseedRock BassTullibee (Cisco)WalleyeWhite SuckerYellow BullheadYellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Johnson

Bro's Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 340-6051
Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin
Fishing Guide

(218) 245-9858
Grand Rapids Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 259-7140
Minnesota Fishing Connections
Fishing Guide

(218) 259-2628
MN Fishing Pros
Fishing Guide

(218) 244-2517
Moo Moo's Guide Service
Fishing Guide

(218) 398-7593

View all 9 guides →

Other Lakes in Itasca County

Alice

40.62 acres

Allen

57.22 acres

Amen

214.65 acres

Anderson

294.52 acres

Ann

95.53 acres

Antler

233.99 acres

Plan Your Trip to Johnson

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