Johnson Lake Fishing near Fergus Falls, Minnesota

• Overview

  Look for Johnson Lake in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. It sits at 1,158 feet above sea level. With some 148 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Some 3.3 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. The town to know is Fergus Falls, 6.8 miles out. Beyond it, Pelican Rapids at 16 miles and Breckenridge at 20 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Otter Tail County include largemouth bass, black crappie, walleye, bluegill and yellow perch. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Johnson Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 7°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Break-up comes around mid April, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Expect Johnson Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Fjestad Lake is 0.7 miles distant. Ask locally about Johnson Lake if anything is unclear.