What special fishing regulations apply at Johnson Lake?

Johnson Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception to the 5/day standing-water bag); Dawson / Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation reservoir on the Tri-County canal chain — high-volume walleye + white bass + crappie + channel catfish recreation reservoir." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Johnson Lake?

Yes. Johnson Lake is in Nebraska, so a valid Nebraska fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Johnson Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.

Do Johnson Lake's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Johnson Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Johnson Lake?

Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Johnson Lake, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

2026 regulation year

Johnson Lake 2026 — Nebraska Fishing Regulations

Nebraska statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Johnson Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Nebraska's 2026 fishing rules — covering Channel catfish. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

Get change alerts

Watch Johnson Lake (NE) and we'll email you when a season, bag limit, slot, or closure changes. Free while in beta.

State-level special regulation

Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception to the 5/day standing-water bag); Dawson / Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation reservoir on the Tri-County canal chain — high-volume walleye + white bass + crappie + channel catfish recreation reservoir
Source: Nebraska special-water list

Per-species rules on Johnson Lake

Channel catfish regulations →
10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in); Central NE Public Power Tri-County canal reservoir

Official source

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) publishes the authoritative 2026 Nebraska fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Nebraska fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Nebraska Game & Parks Commission's emergency-order feed — check it before any Nebraska trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Nebraska

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Johnson Lake?: Johnson Lake carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Nebraska's statewide 2026 rules, covering Channel catfish. One of them reads: "Channel catfish 10 / day flowing-water bag (no minimum, one over 30 in) + 20 in possession (NGPC-listed canal-system exception to the 5/day standing-water bag); Dawson / Gosper County Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation reservoir on the Tri-County canal chain — high-volume walleye + white bass + crappie + channel catfish recreation reservoir." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Johnson Lake?: Yes. Johnson Lake is in Nebraska, so a valid Nebraska fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Johnson Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Nebraska rules.
Do Johnson Lake's special rules replace Nebraska's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Nebraska's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Johnson Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Johnson Lake?: Channel catfish has a water-body-specific rule on Johnson Lake, each linking to its full Nebraska regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Nebraska limits.

← Back to Nebraska regulations overview