Skip to content

Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake is a reservoir in New Jersey, near Sussex County.

Live lake forecast

Johnson Lake Fishing Weather

National Weather Service
Loading current weather…

Fish species in Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake is a reservoir in Sussex County, but a dependable acreage figure was not found. Dependable maximum-depth and storage-volume figures were not found for Johnson Lake, so those measurements should not be guessed.

What to Expect at Johnson Lake

Without trustworthy acreage or depth figures for Johnson Lake, the safest approach is to read the water in front of you instead of assuming it fishes like another lake with the same name.

Fish and Useful Baits at Johnson Lake

Fish reported from Johnson Lake include black crappie, bluegill, chain pickerel, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and yellow perch.

Bass

Begin the largemouth search on Johnson Lake with a moving bait, then pick apart wood or weeds with a worm.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For Johnson Lake crappie, hold a 1/16-ounce jig or minnow beside wood instead of dragging it through snags. Bluegill in Johnson Lake are practical targets with a worm or small jig suspended beside shallow cover. Yellow perch in Johnson Lake are commonly caught with a small jig tipped with a minnow or worm near bottom.

Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel in Johnson Lake can be found with spoons, spinnerbaits and small swimbaits along vegetation.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Johnson Lake

Use a moving lure to locate the first active stretch, then slow down on the exact cover that produced a bite on Johnson Lake. Then compare the incoming-water end of Johnson Lake with the dam side and any point that reaches the old channel.

When to Fish Johnson Lake

A sunny spring afternoon can pull Johnson Lake fish toward dark bottom, wood and new vegetation. Summer fish in Johnson Lake may feed shallow at dawn before settling beside cover or deeper structure. Cooling water can bring Johnson Lake fish back to points and banks where bait gathers.

Check the evidence

Sources and what they establish

Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.

  • Black Crappie — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Bluegill — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Chain Pickerel — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Channel Catfish — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Largemouth Bass — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

  • Yellow Perch — supporting source

    New Jersey DEP Fish & Wildlife — Freshwater Fish and Stocking

    The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.

    Source checked:

    This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.

✉Join the Fishing Tips Daily newsletter waiting list

Our newsletter is not sending yet. Leave your email if you would like to hear from us when it launches.

By joining, you agree to receive our newsletter when it launches. To request removal before then, contact us. Read our privacy policy.