Big Johnson Reservoir is a reservoir in Modoc County, California.
Big Johnson Reservoir is a reservoir in Modoc County, California and covers about 54.8 acres.
A point, weed edge, or small drop is more important than simply covering the whole shoreline; check a protected pocket after sunrise, then use a moving lure to search.
Fish listed for Big Johnson Reservoir include Black Crappie, Blue Chub, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Speckled Dace.
For black crappie on Big Johnson Reservoir, fish a small jig or minnow around wood, weeds, and sharp little drops.
The first bluegill pass on Big Johnson Reservoir should use a small jig, worm, or tiny plastic around green weeds and protected pockets.
To begin with largemouth bass on Big Johnson Reservoir, work a soft plastic, jig, or spinnerbait around weeds and protected cover.
To begin with channel catfish on Big Johnson Reservoir, fish cut bait or a nightcrawler on the bottom along a channel edge or warm flat.
Other targets listed here include Common Carp; give each one its own bait and depth instead of trying to catch everything with the same rig; use water color to choose the first lure, then keep one slow bait ready.
Make one shallow pass and one deeper pass on the same shoreline; that shows whether fish are tight to cover or using the first break; use one moving lure and one slow bait.
Early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again; make one pass close to bottom.
A medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle; check the clean side of wind, then check both sides of the point.
Record the wind, water color, water depth at the strike, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce; keep the bait near useful cover.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.