Johnson Lake Fishing Guide, Polk County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Johnson Lake falls in Polk County, part of Wisconsin. Pine and birch runs right down to the water. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. About 1.0 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. Head to Luck, 5.7 miles away, for anything you forgot. For a city, Saint Paul is 57 miles off. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Johnson Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Polk County records list brown trout, rainbow trout and northern pike among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Johnson Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 69°F and January near 10°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. It holds true on Johnson Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It formed naturally, so levels move with rainfall rather than with a gate. Overnight stays are possible half a mile away. The water borders Straight River Preserve, so reserve rules are likely to apply. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Long Lake at 0.7 miles is the sensible second choice. What applies at Johnson Lake may have changed since it was mapped.