Johnson

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69011700

157 Surveys

455.98

Acres

18 ft

Max Depth

0

11

Fish Species

33

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.

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.10 lb	5
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.09 lb	16
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.10 lb	1
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.08 lb	5
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.18 lb	6
1997-06-23	Survey seining	3.5	—	—	14
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.8 (below normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.09 lb	7
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.07 lb	4
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.08 lb	7
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.11 lb	3
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	2.6 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.09 lb	21
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.08 lb	9
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.10 lb	18
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.07 lb	7
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	6.5 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.10 lb	39
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.13 lb	3
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.14 lb	16
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.20 lb	1
1979-08-06	Standard gill nets	6.1 (normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.10 lb	43
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	2.2 – 14.6	0.15 lb	12

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.9 (below normal)	2.0 – 6.3	0.78 lb	13
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	3.39 lb	11
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	1.65 lb	14
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	4.6 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	2.22 lb	41
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	1.6	—	3.59 lb	14
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	2.00 lb	27
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	3.36 lb	10
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	7.3 (above normal)	2.0 – 6.3	2.03 lb	58
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	3.54 lb	11
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	2.05 lb	29
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	2.02 lb	5
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	1.98 lb	21
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	2.56 lb	15
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	1.56 lb	31
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	2.86 lb	13
1979-08-06	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.0 – 6.3	1.87 lb	21
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	2.94 lb	17
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 6.3	1.18 lb	10
1983-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	1.78 lb	10

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 15.8	0.06 lb	1
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 13.3	0.05 lb	1
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 15.8	0.10 lb	3
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 15.8	0.10 lb	5
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 15.8	0.09 lb	1
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 13.3	0.06 lb	2
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 15.8	0.09 lb	1

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.31 lb	1
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.22 lb	5
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.58 lb	13
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.38 lb	4
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.46 lb	1
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.30 lb	3
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.40 lb	1
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.37 lb	5
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.31 lb	1
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.33 lb	4
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.0	0.80 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	2.11 lb	8
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.43 lb	7
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	2.3 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	1.19 lb	14
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.9	0.50 lb	2
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	1.25 lb	14
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.37 lb	8
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	2.75 lb	4
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.13 lb	10
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	3.20 lb	1
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.75 lb	5
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.8 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	2.17 lb	17
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.00 lb	3
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	0.90 lb	9
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.9	3.69 lb	4
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	1.16 lb	12
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	1.40 lb	8
1979-08-06	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	3.0 – 9.8	1.76 lb	9
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.00 lb	1
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	3.0 – 9.8	1.04 lb	20
1983-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 1.9	2.17 lb	9

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.25 lb	3
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.58 lb	1

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.52 lb	2
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 1.5	0.75 lb	2
1997-06-23	Survey seining	2.5	—	—	10
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 1.5	2.81 lb	1
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 1.5	3.42 lb	2
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.9	0.36 lb	1
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 1.5	2.00 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.12 lb	4
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	8.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.16 lb	76
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.04 lb	25
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.10 lb	1
1997-06-23	Survey seining	0.5	—	—	2
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.12 lb	3
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	13.1 (above normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.13 lb	118
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.05 lb	1
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	9.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.18 lb	83
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	0.29 lb	12
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	23.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.22 lb	214
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.13 lb	28
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	5.8 (normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.15 lb	52
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	1.7	—	0.10 lb	10
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	21.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.20 lb	192
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.28 lb	11
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.31 lb	11
1983-08-31	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.3 – 6.4	0.47 lb	21
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	1.00 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.9 (below normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.00 lb	20
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.06 lb	6
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.14 lb	29
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	1.49 lb	9
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	4.9 (normal)	3.6 – 14.1	2.63 lb	44
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	4.96 lb	10
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.80 lb	23
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.84 lb	21
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	2.9 (below normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.69 lb	23
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	2.7 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	3.13 lb	24
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.8 (below normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.71 lb	17
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.00 lb	8
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.08 lb	32
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.49 lb	26
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.22 lb	44
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.71 lb	18
1979-08-06	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	3.6 – 14.1	1.21 lb	21
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.25 lb	18
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	3.6 – 14.1	0.96 lb	10
1983-08-31	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.7 – 3.2	2.37 lb	6

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2002-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.22 lb	10
2002-07-22	Standard trap nets	6.1 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.41 lb	55
1988-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.14 lb	9
1988-08-31	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.32 lb	16
1997-06-23	Standard gill nets	3.1 (above normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.20 lb	28
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	8.4 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.33 lb	76
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.30 lb	5
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	5.4 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.26 lb	49
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.10 lb	12
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	6.3 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.35 lb	57
1991-07-23	Standard gill nets	6.8 (above normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.10 lb	41
1991-07-23	Standard trap nets	13.4 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.27 lb	94
2007-06-18	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.27 lb	4
2007-06-18	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.38 lb	16
2012-06-18	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.04 lb	15
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.29 lb	20
1979-08-06	Standard gill nets	2.6 (above normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.24 lb	18
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	8.9 (above normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.54 lb	89
1983-08-31	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 2.5	0.48 lb	6
1983-08-31	Standard trap nets	5.1 (normal)	1.0 – 7.8	0.60 lb	36

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Survey seining	0.5	—	2

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1997-06-23	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.6	0.10 lb	4
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.11 lb	1
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.6	0.13 lb	1
1979-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.6	0.40 lb	1

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-06-04	Standard trap nets	6.1 (normal)	0.3 – 13.0	0.40 lb	55
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.7 – 9.7	0.36 lb	11
2022-06-06	Standard trap nets	10.8 (normal)	0.3 – 13.0	0.48 lb	97
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.7 – 9.7	0.39 lb	26

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-06-04	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	3.09 lb	1
2022-06-06	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	1.48 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2012-06-18	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.27 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Johnson

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Johnson.

Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282

Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing

Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435

Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

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 Burbot Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Johnson

218 Sportfishing

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

Catching Adventures

(651) 270-7155

Chamorrita Charters

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Johnson

Weather forecast for Johnson — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.8134°N, 91.9165°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.