Fishing Johnson Lake

AKA: Johnson Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Johnson Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Marinas
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Johnson Lake, NE

Popular Fish Species Johnson Lake, NE

White Bass Fishing

After several successful spawn years, white bass are flourishing in Johnson Lake and anglers should expect some great fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to a significant baitfish population walleye are thriving in the fertile waters of Johnson Lake this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Johnson Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

Johnson Lake holds a plentiful population of black crappie, which are fat and healthy this year. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Johnson Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for smallmouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow perch, wiper and sauger at Johnson Lake in Nebraska.

Twelve miles southwest of Lexington, Johnson Lake is an easy getaway for boating and fishing. The 2,068-acre lake has a variety of fish species including bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, sunfish, sauger and others.

Two fishing piers with handicap access, and plenty of shoreline fishing, makes this a great place to fish for anglers without boats. Miles of rip rap and lots of docks give anglers plenty of targets when casting for their favorite species.

Primary fish species residing in Johnson Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Johnson Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Lakeshore Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
308 785-4031

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Nautical Rose and Lakeshore Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, off Lakeview Acres Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

South Inlet Campground Boat Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Johnson Lake Recreation Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Marinas

Captain's Quarters Marina
4 Johnson Lake Dr #30
Johnson Lake, NE 68937
308 785-2092