Fishing at Johnson Slough, Scott County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Look for Johnson Slough in Scott County, Minnesota. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. The water measures roughly 19 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. On size it sits at the modest end of our Scott County list. Carver is the closest place, 2.5 miles off. After that come Jordan at 4.2 miles and Chaska at 4.5 miles. You are close to a county edge here; who manages the access can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Slough

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Across Scott County, recorded fish include bluegill, largemouth bass, black crappie and pumpkinseed. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Johnson Slough gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 72°F, while January sits near 12°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. In an average year the thaw lands around early April and the freeze near late November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on Johnson Slough more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Rapids Lake sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Johnson Slough may have changed since it was mapped.