Lake John, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lake John is a Wright County water, in Minnesota. The ground round it is lake country bush. This is sizeable water at about 395 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. Shoreline length is close to 4.4 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. It ranks high for size among our Wright County listings. Nearest town is Annandale, 1.9 miles off. It is 48 miles to Minneapolis, the nearest city. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake John

  Recorded soundings reach about 35 feet at the deepest point. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Open biodiversity records for Wright County list largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Lake John responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 72°F, while January sits near 11°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early April. Break-up near early April, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake John.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Pleasant Lake sits 2.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Lake John before loading the car.