Johnson

Otter Tail County, Minnesota — DOW #56039300

112 Surveys

418.75

Acres

32 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

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.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.71 lb	1
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	0.5	—	—	1
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	0.8	—	—	3
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.20 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.25 lb	10
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	1.30 lb	11

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.68 lb	34
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.97 lb	3
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.58 lb	12
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	4.70 lb	2
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.25 lb	34
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.31 lb	4
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	2.7 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	2.75 lb	24
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.34 lb	3
1976-06-28	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	3.5 – 10.5	3.40 lb	4

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	13.3 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.98 lb	120
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	14.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.47 lb	114
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	4.2	—	—	8
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	4.8	—	—	19
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.47 lb	10
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	93.0 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.51 lb	279
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.89 lb	1
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	1.46 lb	5
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	3.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.2	0.89 lb	31
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	80.0 (above normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.50 lb	720

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.43 lb	1
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.7	2.59 lb	11
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.4	2.72 lb	5
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	4.79 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	28.9 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.06 lb	231
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	—	1
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	0.7	—	—	2
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.10 lb	2
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	160.3 (above normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.14 lb	641
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	13.7 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.06 lb	123
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.24 lb	3
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	9.7 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.21 lb	87
1976-06-28	Standard trap nets	203.7 (above normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.18 lb	1222
1976-06-28	Standard gill nets	18.5	—	0.08 lb	74

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.07 lb	10
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	11.2 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.10 lb	101
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	24.1	—	—	46
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	7.8	—	—	31
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	55.3	—	—	166
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	10.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.15 lb	42
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	148.7 (above normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.14 lb	446
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.03 lb	5
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	8.4 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.08 lb	76
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.05 lb	2
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	20.1 (normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.12 lb	181
1976-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.50 lb	2

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.97 lb	8
2004-06-28	Standard electrofishing	48.8	—	1.67 lb	47
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	11.5	—	—	22
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	14.0	—	—	56
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	43.7	—	—	131
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.80 lb	1
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.38 lb	4
2015-06-22	Standard electrofishing	98.7	—	2.35 lb	42
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	2.08 lb	3
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.78 lb	4
2010-07-06	Standard electrofishing	50.7	—	1.96 lb	40
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.73 lb	4
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.17 lb	1
2024-05-29	Standard electrofishing	50.5	—	1.38 lb	41
1976-06-28	Standard trap nets	7.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.45 lb	47

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.40 lb	45
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	6.06 lb	1
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	6.0 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.73 lb	18
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	3.10 lb	2
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.65 lb	13
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	5.35 lb	4
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.83 lb	27
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.84 lb	2
1976-06-28	Standard gill nets	19.8 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	0.64 lb	79
1976-06-28	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.36 lb	20

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.06 lb	2
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	1.3	—	—	4
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	1.36 lb	2
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.26 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.70 lb	7

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.81 lb	15
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	7.0 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.77 lb	56
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	1.6	—	—	3
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	—	2
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	1.60 lb	1
2015-06-22	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.49 lb	5
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.75 lb	13
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	1.0 – 10.5	1.00 lb	7
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.74 lb	36

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.18 lb	6
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	1.0	—	0.07 lb	3
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	5.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.11 lb	20
1976-06-28	Standard gill nets	17.3	—	0.10 lb	69
1976-06-28	Standard trap nets	188.0 (above normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.13 lb	1128

Fathead Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	0.5	—	2
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	0.7	—	2
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	31.4	—	60

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	2.0	—	8
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	1
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	39.3	—	75

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	0.3	—	1

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-16	50-ft beach seine	8.0	—	24
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	5.2	—	10
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	1.3	—	5

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2018-07-16	Backpack electrofishing	0.5	—	1
2018-07-16	15-ft beach seine	2.3	—	9

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-06-30	Standard gill nets	1.7	—	0.24 lb	5
1986-06-30	Standard trap nets	26.0	—	0.24 lb	104
2015-06-22	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	0.19 lb	5
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.85 lb	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1976-06-28	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.23 lb	8

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Marinas

265th St. RV & Boat Storage

Henning, MN

(218) 210-8874

★ 4.8

Advanced Docks & Lifts

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 495-2811

★ 4.3

Aqua Marine & Storage

Dent, MN

(218) 457-2325

★ 4.9

Ark & Spark

Underwood, MN

(218) 864-5969

★ 4.6

Battle Lake Boat Works

Battle Lake, MN

(218) 864-5567

★ 3.8

Delagoon Park

Fergus Falls, MN

★ 4.4

Resorts & Lodges Near Johnson

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Johnson.

Legacy Lakeside Resort & Event Center

Fishing Resort Clitherall

(218) 321-3150

MN Tru North

Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 346-5253

Paul Lake Resort

Fishing Resort Perham

(218) 234-9001

Shoreside at Rush

Fishing Resort Ottertail

(218) 234-2319

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Johnson

Gene's Sport Shop

Fishing Guide

(218) 346-3355

Lock Jaw Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 640-0158

Minnesota Experience

Fishing Guide

(218) 770-8032

North Country Bowfishing

Fishing Guide

Pit Properties LLC

Fishing Guide

(218) 205-5358

RED HOOKS FISHING ADVENTURES

Red Hooks Fishing Adventures

Fishing Guide

(218) 370-9006

View all 8 guides →

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Plan Your Trip to Johnson

Weather forecast for Johnson — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.1728°N, 95.8570°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

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

Johnson

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Northern Pike

Black Bullhead

White Sucker

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Walleye

Black Crappie

Yellow Bullhead

Pumpkinseed

Fathead Minnow

Iowa Darter

Spottail Shiner

BKF

Golden Shiner

Hybrid Sunfish

Green Sunfish

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Ben's Bait Shop

Carr's Lake Country Super Market

Dunham's Sports

Elizabeth General Store

Flagman Products

JK-Outdoors

Lakeland General Store

Lakes Community Coop - Ottertail Oasis

Nearby Marinas

265th St. RV & Boat Storage

Advanced Docks & Lifts

Aqua Marine & Storage

Ark & Spark

Battle Lake Boat Works

Delagoon Park

Resorts & Lodges Near Johnson

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Johnson

Other Lakes in Otter Tail County

Adley

Alice

Anderson

Anna

Annie Battle

Bass

Plan Your Trip to Johnson