Johnson Reservoir Fishing
A Utah reservoir of 700 acres in Sevier County.
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Johnson Reservoir by the DWR numbers
At 700 acres by DWR’s count, Johnson Reservoir lies in Sevier County. The UGRC lakes layer traces about 685 acres of mapped outline for it. The nearest Utah Census town is Monroe, roughly 26 miles away.
Launch data show 1 launch. Add 1 shore or pier point on the DWR list.
Size as the DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir prints it (DWR), read November 11, 2026.
Outline area from the UGRC Utah Lakes NHD layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not a DWR surface-acre figure), read November 11, 2026.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 11, 2026.
How Utah DWR describes Johnson Reservoir
Here is how DWR's map page describes Johnson Reservoir:
Johnson Reservoir (also known as Johnson Valley Reservoir) is a relatively shallow impoundment located just a short drive northwest of Fish Lake in Sevier County. The reservoir is filled by Lake Creek (outlet from Fish Lake) and Sevenmile Creek, and flows out to the upper Fremont River. It sits at 8,800 feet in elevation within an aspen and conifer forest.
Fish Utah directions for Johnson Reservoir: Head southeast of Sigurd on SR-24, then turn onto SR-25 and head northeast; the reservoir is about 4 miles northeast of Fish Lake
The Fish Utah biology note for Johnson Reservoir:
Johnson Reservoir is seasonally accessible by paved county road from Fish Lake (southwest), Mill Meadow Reservoir (southeast), or Salina Canyon (north). There is a boat ramp and campground (Paiute) adjacent to the reservoir, with one more campground (Frying Pan) nearby.
At the Johnson Reservoir access points DWR notes boat Ramp, restrooms, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, primitive (Tent), RV and wildlife watching.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
The DWR species list for Johnson Reservoir
These ratings for Johnson Reservoir come straight from Fish Utah.
| Species | DWR rating |
|---|---|
| Tiger muskellunge | likely |
| Yellow perch | likely |
| Utah sucker | possible |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
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Recent Johnson Reservoir stocking, as Fish Utah lists it (average length exactly as printed, without a unit).
| Date | Species | Number | Average length |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 20, 2024 | Muskie tiger | 1,010 | 3.96 |
| May 13, 2024 | Muskie tiger | 1,166 | 3.1 |
| May 13, 2024 | Muskie tiger | 1,168 | 3.19 |
| May 13, 2024 | Muskie tiger | 1,169 | 3.66 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | Muskie tiger | 1,215 | 4.08 |
| Apr 20, 2021 | Muskie tiger | 3,500 | 1.05 |
| Apr 28, 2020 | Muskie tiger | 450 | 1.19 |
| Apr 28, 2020 | Tiger trout | 450 | 1.19 |
| Jul 2, 2019 | Muskie tiger | 1,354 | 6.77 |
| Jun 26, 2019 | Muskie tiger | 1,057 | 6.77 |
| Jun 10, 2019 | Muskie tiger | 2,000 | 2.07 |
| May 13, 2019 | Muskie tiger | 3,504 | 2.25 |
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Fishing report on file for Johnson Reservoir
Fall Fishing Forecast (September – November): Johnson Reservoir was drained this summer to repair the dam.
Report date on Fish Utah for Johnson Reservoir: Oct 13, 2026. Treat it as history, not today.
Utah DWR Fish Utah page for Johnson Reservoir (DWR last updated the page Mar 7, 2023), read November 11, 2026.
Towing a boat to Johnson Reservoir
- Johnson Reservoir Boat Rampboat ramp, for any vessel class, administered by the U.S. Forest Service in the UGRC layer, restrooms
Casting from the shore of Johnson Reservoir
- Paiute Campground at Johnson Reservoirshore access, drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables
Next-closest Utah launches to Johnson Reservoir
- Joe Bush Fisherman Parking Area Hand LaunchFish Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Pelican Point Boat Ramp at Fish LakeFish Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Bowery Creek Boat Ramp at Fish LakeFish Lake, 5 miles southwest
- Twin Creek Boat Ramp at Fish LakeFish Lake, 6 miles southwest
- Doctor Creek Boat Ramp at Fish LakeFish Lake, 7 miles southwest
Fees and gate times at Johnson Reservoir launches are not in the data; ask the operator or park office.
UGRC Boat Ramps layer (ArcGIS service) and the DWR Fish Utah access list, read November 11, 2026.
Utah harvest rules at Johnson Reservoir
The limits here are from the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, which takes effect January 1, 2027; the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook stays in force through December 31, 2026 and differs only where a row says so.
No special Utah regulation names Johnson Reservoir; the statewide limits below apply.
Statewide Utah numbers behind Johnson Reservoir
| Species group | 2027 daily limit | 2026 daily limit | Note as printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass (a combined total) | 6 | same | – |
| Tiger muskellunge | 1 over 40 inches | same | – |
| Trout, kokanee salmon and Arctic grayling (a combined total) | 4 | same | Anglers may not possess kokanee salmon at any waterbody statewide from Sept. 10 through Nov. 30. |
| Yellow perch | 50 | same | – |
2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 9 (effective January 1, 2027; DWR PDF), read November 11, 2026.
The R657-13 possession wording that covers Johnson Reservoir: "Possession limit means, for purposes of this rule only, two daily limits, including fish in a cooler, camper, tent, freezer, livewell or any other place of storage, excluding fish stored in an individual’s permanent residence."
Utah Admin. Code R657-13 (R657-13-2), last changed June 23, 2026 as printed on the DWR rules page, read November 11, 2026.
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident.
License prices as printed in the 2027 Utah Fishing Guidebook, p. 8 (the 2026 guidebook prints the same prices; checked against the DWR fees page), read November 11, 2026.
How Johnson Reservoir compares with other Utah water
DWR acreage puts Fish Lake first among these at 2,500 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Launches | Species on DWR list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Reservoir | 700 acres | Sevier County | 1 | 6 | |
| Fish Lake | 6 miles southwest | 2,500 acres | Sevier County | 5 | 14 |
| Mill Meadow Reservoir | 8 miles southeast | about 161 acres of mapped outline | Wayne County | 1 | 9 |
| Forsyth Reservoir | 8 miles southeast | about 166 acres of mapped outline | Sevier County | 1 | 5 |
| Koosharem Reservoir | 11 miles west | about 346 acres of mapped outline | Sevier County | 2 | 7 |
| Salina City Pond | 24 miles northwest | 3 acres | Sevier County | 0 | 1 |
DWR Fish Utah pages, UGRC Boat Ramps and Lakes NHD layers; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 11, 2026.
Minutes from Johnson Reservoir by road
Still water for day two past Johnson Reservoir
- Fish Lake6 miles southwest
- Mill Meadow Reservoir8 miles southeast
- Forsyth Reservoir8 miles southeast
- Koosharem Reservoir11 miles west
- Salina City Pond24 miles northwest
Gear stores a short drive from Johnson Reservoir
- Barney Outdoor Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Richfield, 26 miles
Booking a guided day at Johnson Reservoir
- Jmcoutfittingfishing guide, Redmond, (435) 633-3175
Lodging towns around Johnson Reservoir
- Monroe26 miles
- Salina26 miles
- Richfield26 miles
Which Utah county holds Johnson Reservoir
- Sevier Countyseat: Richfield
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers worth a look before Johnson Reservoir
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Beehive State fish to recognize at Johnson Reservoir
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Public domain
Johnson Reservoir, sorted out in a few questions
What part of the Beehive State is Johnson Reservoir in?
Fish Utah files it under Sevier County; the nearest Census town, Monroe, is about 26 miles away.
How many acres does Utah DWR give Johnson Reservoir?
700 acres, per DWR; the UGRC outline is about 685 acres of mapped outline.
Where can a boat launch onto Utah's Johnson Reservoir?
1 launch are on file; try Johnson Reservoir Boat Ramp.
What does DWR say swims in Johnson Reservoir?
Fish Utah names tiger muskellunge, yellow perch, muskie Tiger, tiger trout and bass Largemouth.
Does Utah set size limits at Johnson Reservoir?
No rule names it, so the Utah statewide table applies: trout daily limit 4 under the 2027 guidebook; bass daily limit 6 under the 2027 guidebook.
What must an out-of-state visitor buy before fishing Utah's Johnson Reservoir?
Anglers 12 and older need a Utah fishing license; both the 2026 and 2027 guidebooks print $40 for a resident 365-day adult license and $120 for a nonresident. The license rule starts at age 12.
Where can a Utah angler fish Johnson Reservoir without a boat?
Start at Paiute Campground at Johnson Reservoir; DWR shows 1 shore or pier point.
Where can I buy bait in Utah near Johnson Reservoir?
Barney Outdoor Outfitters, about 26 miles away comes first.
What fish does DWR plant in Johnson Reservoir?
Its page carries 22 stocking rows, newest May 20, 2024 (muskie tiger).
Fill the cooler and drive to Johnson Reservoir
Fees and limit tables are one click away.