Lake Johnson Fishing
Wake County, NCWRC District 3, 147.5 acres.
- 1launches
- 147.5acres
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Lake Crabree County Park: Gaurav, CC BY 4.0
An overview of Lake Johnson
Look for Lake Johnson in Wake County; the lake sits inside NCWRC District 3. The dam inventory puts its surface near 147.5 acres. The Walnut Creek was dammed at Lake Johnson Dam in 1914 to make it. The closest incorporated town is Raleigh, about 6 miles from the lake point.
1 mapped launch reach the water; 0 are NCWRC Boating Access Areas. Access sites list City Of Raleigh as owner.
Ramps on Lake Johnson
- Lake Johnson Parkpaddle access, 75 trailer spaces, restrooms, City Of Raleigh
Public fishing areas around Lake Johnson
- Lake Johnson Park2 piers, owner City Of Raleigh, open
Ramps by Lake Johnson
- Lake RaleighLake Raleigh, 2 miles east
- Lake Wheeler ParkSimpkins Pond / Lake Wheeler, 5 miles south
- Apex Community ParkPine Lake, 6 miles west
- Fred G Bond Metro ParkBond Park Pond, 7 miles west
- Lake Crabtree County ParkLake Crabree County Park, 7 miles northwest
- Upper Bartons CreekFalls Lake, 15 miles north
NCWRC Boating Access Areas and Public Fishing Areas, USACE Wilmington District, USFS and OpenStreetMap, checked October 2026.
Lake Johnson level today
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Johnson Above Dam At Raleigh, Nc | 343.29 ft lake elevation | Oct 14 8:20 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 14, 2026 8:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
What you may keep from Lake Johnson
NCWRC lists nothing extra for Lake Johnson.
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Sunfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Striped and Bodie bass | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| White bass | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Walleye | 8 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Rock and Roanoke bass | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Blue, channel and flathead catfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Trout (undesignated waters) | 7 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
Where Lake Johnson lies relative to I-95 and I-77 sets the crappie and sunfish rows here.
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations (eRegulations), checked October 2026. All North Carolina limits.
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 How Lake Johnson compares nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Stocked 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Johnson | 147.5 | 1 | ||
| Lake Raleigh | 2 miles east | 88.1 | 1 | |
| Lake Wheeler | 5 miles south | 560 | 1 | yes |
| Apex Community Lake | 6 miles west | 1 | yes | |
| Bond Lake | 7 miles west | 80 | 1 | yes |
| Lake Crabree County Park | 7 miles northwest | 1 |
Out from Lake Johnson
Lakes within a drive of Lake Johnson
- Lake Raleigh2 miles east
- Lake Wheeler5 miles south
- Apex Community Lake6 miles west
- Bond Lake7 miles west
- Lake Crabree County Park7 miles northwest
Pick up bait near Lake Johnson
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Carysporting goods store, Cary, 1 mile
- Apex Outfitter & Board Co.sporting goods store, Wake, 4 miles
- Hill's Sporting Goods Incsporting goods store, Raleigh, 6 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Raleigh, 4601 Glenwood Avesporting goods store, Raleigh, 6 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Carysporting goods store, Cary, 6 miles
- Boat Launchmarina, Wake, 6 miles
Lake Johnson, county by county
- Wake Countyseat: Raleigh
Four Piscifun picks
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Species to expect near Lake Johnson
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Virginia State Parks staff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Questions people send about Lake Johnson
Where in North Carolina is Lake Johnson?
Wake County; the Commission files it under District 3, about 6 miles from Raleigh.
How much surface does Lake Johnson span?
Roughly 147.5 surface acres.
Can a trailered boat use Lake Johnson?
There are 1 launch; Lake Johnson Park is a good start.
What lives in Lake Johnson?
NCWRC publishes no species list for it.
Do stocking trucks visit Lake Johnson?
No 2026 stocking is listed.
Does Lake Johnson have special limits?
Only the statewide inland limits.
What paperwork does Lake Johnson need?
Anglers 16 and up need the inland license ($32 resident, $56 nonresident).
Is Lake Johnson below full pool today?
The USGS gauge reading is shown above.
Where do I stock up for Lake Johnson?
DICK'S Sporting Goods Cary is closest at 1 mile.
Get to Lake Johnson this year
Check fees and limits before the drive.