Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake covers about 1,736 acres in St. Louis County, in the La Croix Ranger District of Superior National Forest roughly five and a half miles northwest of Crane Lake. It sits on national forest land outside the Boundary Waters Wilderness boundary rather than inside it: the only formal access is a half-mile trail at the south end open to ATVs and small trailers, a use the wilderness itself never allows, and a dock rather than a boat ramp serves the landing.

The lake runs deep, reaching 88 feet, with a rocky, irregular shoreline broken up by several islands. The water carries the tannin stain and low fertility typical of Canadian Shield lakes in this region, with clarity that averages around 11 feet. Johnson connects north to Spring Lake and, by way of the Johnson River, out to Little Johnson Lake.

Walleye here grow well above the regional average, with fish commonly running 16 to 20 inches and some topping 26. Smallmouth bass are similarly strong, well above average in numbers and running upward of 12 inches, and northern pike show up in above-average numbers too, typically 23 to 24 inches. Lake whitefish are exceptionally abundant, among the best catch rates on record for the lake, and an occasional lake trout turns up as a stray from stocking in neighboring Spring Lake.

Seven backcountry campsites are scattered around the lake, primitive sites without the quota permit system that governs camping inside the wilderness. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are allowed, there's no boat ramp or potable water, and parking is limited to the trailhead.

Johnson Lake suits an angler willing to trailer or ATV a boat in for strong, lightly pressured fishing rather than someone looking for a wilderness permit trip. It's national forest water bordering the Boundary Waters, without the portage travel and quota rules that come with actually crossing into it.