Johnson Lake (Oneida County)
Johnson Lake sits on the Oneida and Vilas county line near Minocqua and Woodruff. It is a small, deep lake known for bluegill and largemouth bass, with muskie also present.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
A 2025 DNR spring survey found 82 adults, averaging 11.7 in
Bluegill
Very high catch rate in the 2025 DNR survey, but they average about 4.9 in
Muskellunge
Listed as common by the DNR lake page
Crappie
Black crappie averaged 8.3 in in the 2025 survey
Northern Pike
Present
Walleye
Present
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Johnson Lake Public AccessRampConcrete ramp for motorboats, Town of Arbor Vitae, Vilas County. DNR lists one public landing.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Johnson Lake (Oneida County) are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Dewey Catchem & How Bait ShopNearby11085 Highway 70 East, Arbor Vitae, WI 54568715-358-5130Directions ↗
Local tips
- The lake drops to 42 ft, so panfish and bass hold shallow early and move deeper in summer.
- Bluegill are numerous but small, so be ready to sort for bigger fish.
- Muskie are common, so use a leader when fishing for bass or pike.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.