Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed will now give anglers more variety

Anglers now have a new fishing opportunity at Johnson Pond near Salmon. Idaho Fish and Game recently stocked a mix of over 780 Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Pumpkinseed to the 6.5-acre pond.

“We’re excited to offer anglers the opportunity to fish for largemouth bass and sunfish in Johnson Pond,” said Fish and Game’s Salmon Regional Fisheries Manager Greg Schoby. “It’s something anglers have asked for, to provide a little variety in their fishing opportunities in the Salmon Region.”

Several size classes of bass and sunfish were added to Johnson Pond, from juveniles up to adults. The bass averaged 9-inches, while the sunfish averaged almost 6-inches.

Located eight miles south of Salmon, Johnson Pond is the largest community fishing pond in the area and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Named after Val B. Johnson, the pond is accessed thanks to an agreement with the Johnson Family, who still own the property. Val was an Air Force Veteran, a former outfitter, and a well-respected teacher at Salmon High School for over 25 years.

Fish and Game employees collected and transported the fish from Moose Creek Reservoir near Bovill, which is being drawn down this winter. Many of the fish would not have survived, and Fish and Game wanted to establish a warm water fishery in the Salmon area.

Fish and Game Fisheries Biologist Brett Kelly of Salmon hands a net-full of bass and sunfish from a holding tank in Moose Creek Reservoir to a hatchery transport truck heading for Johnson Pond.

“We had a unique opportunity to jump start the bass and sunfish fishery with these fish, which includes several size classes, from juveniles up to adults,” Schoby said. “They will be put to good use, and a big thanks to our counterparts in the Clearwater Region for helping make this happen.”

For more information, including a short video on the fish collection and draw down of Moose Creek Reservoir, see Improving Family Fishing at Moose Creek Reservoir.

The introduction of largemouth bass and sunfish will provide anglers with additional fishing opportunities, particularly during the warmer months when these species are most active. Largemouth bass will offer an exciting challenge to anglers, while bluegill will provide excellent opportunities for families and young anglers looking for a high catch-rate fishing experience. Johnson Pond will continue to be stocked with rainbow trout as well.

“I expect the trout fishing to be best in the spring and fall while its cooler, and the bass and sunfish bite to really pick up in the summer when things warm up,” Schoby said.

Johnson Pond is bordered to the north by the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Eight Mile River Access. Anglers can access the pond by parking at BLM’s access site and walking 50 yards to the pond.

Anglers and other recreationists are reminded that Dahle’s Red-E-Mix has an active gravel mining operation on the southwest side of the pond, which is marked by the fenced boundary. Fish and Game asks the public to please act responsibly and respect the property boundaries and rules in place to ensure continued access.

General fishing season rules apply. Small watercraft, such as inflatable rafts or float tubes are allowed and can be carried from the BLM Eight Mile access site. No boat ramps are present.

Idaho Fish and Game owns and/or maintains more than 40 fishing and boating access sites in the Salmon Region. To learn more about these sites, visit the Fish and Game website at https://idfg.idaho.gov/fish/access-guide. For more information on any of Idaho’s fishing waters, visit the Idaho Fishing Planner: https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/fishingplanner.