Johanna Lake Fishing guide

DNR survey data

Fish species

Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.

Size history

Biggest fish by survey year

Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.

Suggested tackle

What to bring

Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:

Northern pike · Soft plastics

Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead

4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead

3–25 ftmoderate

Shop paddletail swimbaits →

Northern pike · Muskie & pike

Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)

10" soft rubber body bait

3–25 ftslow

Shop musky rubber →

Walleye · Live bait

Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler

jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler

8–35 ftslow

Shop octopus hooks →

Walleye · Trolling

Leadcore Line + Crankbaits

4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run

15–45 fttrolling

Shop deep-diving crankbaits →

Largemouth bass · Soft plastics

Texas-Rigged Worm

7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm

1–25 ftdead slow

Shop plastic worms →

Largemouth bass · Soft plastics

Wacky-Rigged Stickworm

5" stickworm

1–12 ftdead slowweedless

Shop stickworms →

Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

DNR stocking records

Stocking history

Stocking records before 2018 omitted.

MN DNR · in their words

From the 2021 survey

Lake Johanna is a 213-acre, eutrophic lake located in Arden Hills, 7.5 miles northwest of St. Paul. The contributing watershed is characterized by residential, commercial, industrial and major roadways. Overall, water quality in Lake Johanna is very good. The most recent data indicates that it is one of the best lakes in the Rice Creek Watershed District in terms of phosphorus concentrations. Ramsey County has maintained a very popular 217-acre park which is bounded by Lake Johanna and County Road E to the south. The park includes ¼ mile of shoreline on the north side of Lake Johanna. Surface water use of this lake is very high. The 1994 creel survey estimated fishing use at 62-angler hours/acre. Ramsey County has established surface water use restrictions that limit the hours, watercraft speed, and nature of surface water use allowed.

Lake Johanna is primarily for Walleyes and Tiger Muskellunge. Walleyes were captured at a rate of 2.50 fish/gill net. Walleyes captured during this assessment averaged 19.1 inches in total length, and 93% of Walleye captured during the survey were 15 inches or larger. A total of three Tiger Muskellunge were captured during this assessment. Tiger Muskellunge averaged 29 inches in total length. The largest Tiger Muskellunge sampled was 43 inches. Northern Pike were captured at the second highest rate of abundance ever at 10.2/gill net. Northern Pike in gill nets averaged 22.4 inches, and 16% of pike captured were 26 inches or larger. Lake Johanna is in the North Central Northern Pike Management Zone which has a protected slot of 22-26 inches and a harvest limit of two fish not longer than 26 inches and a ten fish limit under 22inches. Yellow Perch were sampled at the lowest abundance ever observed on Lake Johanna of one per gill net. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 5.1 to 7.5 inches. For the last 20 years Bluegill trap net abundance has decreased every survey from 223.2 in 2001, to 18.1 fish/trap net in 2021. Average total length of Bluegills in trap nets was 4.4 inches. Black Crappies relative abundance has been consistent in gill nets and increased in trap nets from the previous surveys in 2014 and 2017. Average length of Black Crappie in gill nets was 5.4 inches and 4.8 inches in trap nets. Although gill nets and trap nets are not the best way to assess Largemouth Bass, seven were sampled in trap and gill nets. Other species captured during this survey in low numbers were Bowfin, Golden Shiners, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullheads.

Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.

Public water access

Getting on the water

• Johanna Lake (trailer launch)
• Johanna Lake Fishing Site (shore fishing)

DNR bathymetry

Johanna Lake depth map

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

• Josephine Lake · 116 ac · 1 mi
• Island Lake · 59 ac · 1.8 mi
• Emily Lake · 13 ac · 2 mi
• Bennett Lake · 29 ac · 2.2 mi
• Owasso Lake · 375 ac · 2.3 mi
• Silver Lake · 71 ac · 2.6 mi
• Wabasso Lake · 43 ac · 2.6 mi
• Long Lake · 173 ac · 2.8 mi

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

How deep is Johanna Lake?

Johanna Lake reaches 43 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17 ft; about 45% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).

How big is Johanna Lake?

Johanna Lake covers 212 acres with about 3 miles of shoreline.

How clear is the water in Johanna Lake?

DNR Secchi readings on Johanna Lake average 7.4 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.

What fish are in Johanna Lake?

Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, tiger muskellunge.

Is Johanna Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.

Does Johanna Lake have a public access?

Yes. Johanna Lake has 2 public access sites, including Johanna Lake (trailer launch).

How big do northern pike get in Johanna Lake?

The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 37"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.

When was Johanna Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Johanna Lake in 2021, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.