Minnesota · DNR survey data
John Reservoir
John Reservoir covers 21 acres in Yellow Medicine County, running to 12 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2024. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2025Present, stocked0.8per trap net17"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 8 fish
2021Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 4 fish
2017Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 3 fish
2014Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
BluegillJust a few5.2per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 99 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 42 fish
2024Lengths measured · 57 fish
2021Lengths measured · 15 fish
2017Lengths measured · 3 fish
2014Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
CrappieFair numbers10.6per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 202 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 26 fish
2024Lengths measured · 176 fish
2021Lengths measured · 205 fish
2017Lengths measured · 432 fish
2014Yellow perchPresent1.5per trap net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 35 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 30 fish
2024Lengths measured · 5 fish
2021Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 76 fish
2017Lengths measured · 14 fish
2014Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 430 adults |
| 2024 | Walleye | 984 yearlings · 88 adults |
| 2023 | Walleye | 129 yearlings · 153 adults |
| 2022 | Walleye | 236 yearlings · 235 adults |
| 2021 | Walleye | 391 adults |
| 2020 | Walleye | 96 yearlings · 490 adults |
| 2019 | Walleye | 403 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 300 yearlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 112 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 210 adults |
Recent reports
John Reservoir fishing reports
Recent reports on John Reservoir from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- John's Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Porter Reservoir · 16 ac · 3.7 mi
- Del Clark Lake · 156 ac · 4.9 mi
- Sylvan Lake · 5 ac · 5.2 mi
- R6 Lake · 33 ac · 7.3 mi
- Popowski Lake · 143 ac · 8.4 mi
- Steep Bank Lake · 199 ac · 8.6 mi
- Perch Lake · 246 ac · 9.3 mi
- Hendricks Lake · 1,522 ac · 16.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for John Reservoir?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for John Reservoir, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in John Reservoir?
The most recent DNR survey (2024) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does John Reservoir have a public access?
Yes. John Reservoir has one public access site: John's Lake (trailer launch).
Is John Reservoir stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was John Reservoir last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed John Reservoir in 2024, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .