Minnesota · DNR survey data

Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake covers 419 acres in Otter Tail County, running to 32 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.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2025
Fair numbers
1.4per gill net
21"Typical
26"Biggest
14"26"

Lengths measured · 17 fish

Recent surveys
7"10"15"20"25"28"

Lengths measured · 17 fish

2015
7"10"15"20"25"28"

Lengths measured · 29 fish

2010
7"10"15"20"25"28"

Lengths measured · 47 fish

2004
7"10"15"20"25"28"
Largemouth bass
Good numbers
50.5per hr (electrofishing)
10"Typical
19"Biggest
4"19"

Lengths measured · 41 fish

Recent · 2024
4"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 41 fish

2024
4"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 49 fish

2015
4"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 45 fish

2010
4"5"10"15"19"

Lengths measured · 55 fish

2004
4"5"10"15"19"
Northern pike
Just a few
3.8per gill net
24"Typical
32"Biggest
20"32"

Lengths measured · 38 fish

Recent surveys
16"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 38 fish

2015
16"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

2010
16"20"25"30"32"

Lengths measured · 37 fish

2004
16"20"25"30"32"
Bluegill
Just a few
13.7per trap net
4"Typical
7"Biggest
1"7"

Lengths measured · 121 fish

Recent surveys
1"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 121 fish

2015
1"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 89 fish

2010
1"2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 230 fish

2004
1"2"4"6"8"9"
Crappie
Just a few
0.2per trap net
Typical
14"Biggest
Yellow perch
Good numbers
8.4per gill net
5"Typical
7"Biggest
3"7"

Lengths measured · 81 fish

Recent surveys
3"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 81 fish

2015
3"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 183 fish

2010
3"4"6"8"

Lengths measured · 112 fish

2004
3"4"6"8"

Rates 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

YearSpeciesStocked
2025Walleye265,000 fry
2024Walleye50,000 fry
2023Walleye165,000 fry
2021Walleye165,000 fry
2019Walleye165,000 fry
2017Walleye200,000 fry

Recent reports

Johnson Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Johnson Lake 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.

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Otter Tail County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Johnson Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Johnson Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Johnson Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2024) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.

Does Johnson Lake have a public access?

Yes. Johnson Lake has one public access site: Johnson Lake (trailer launch).

Is Johnson Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.

When was Johnson Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Johnson Lake in 2024, the most recent of 7 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .