Johnson Lake near Spooner: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Burnett County in Wisconsin is where Johnson Lake sits. The bank is 948 feet above sea level. At about 32 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. With about 1.1 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Spooner sits 20 miles from the bank. It is 86 miles to Saint Paul, the nearest city. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name brown trout, northern pike and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. At Johnson Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 68°F and January at 9°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Johnson Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. The closest car park is 0.9 miles away, so pack accordingly. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Myrick Lake, 0.4 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Johnson Lake.