<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.16
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>p68096_13da7feb9x9916.txt
<DESCRIPTION>PROMISSORY NOTE
<TEXT>
                                                                   Exhibit 99.16

                             SECURED PROMISSORY NOTE

$6,324,400.00                                                  Racine, Wisconsin
                                                               December 31, 2004

     Johnson Bank, as trustee of the Helen P. Johnson-Leipold Third Party Gift
and Inheritance Trust ("Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
Imogene P. Johnson and Johnson Bank, as trustees of the Samuel C. Johnson 1988
Trust Number One ("Lender"), on the "maturity date" (defined below) the
principal sum of Six Million Three Hundred Twenty-Four Thousand Four Hundred
Dollars ($6,324,400.00), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance
from time to time outstanding at the rate of 4.68% per annum until the day
preceding the maturity date. Interest and principal is due and payable annually
on December 31st of each year in accordance with the attached repayment
schedule, with a final payment in an amount necessary to pay all principal and
interest then outstanding on December 31, 2019 (the "maturity date"). Interest
shall accrue on any interest or principal which remains unpaid after 15 days
from its due date at the applicable federal rate under Internal Revenue Code
Section 1274(d) in effect on such due date.

     To secure payment of this Note, Borrower has pledged to Lender Borrower's
interest in and to 485,000 Class A shares of Johnson Outdoors, Inc, a Wisconsin
corporation, and all proceeds thereof ("Collateral"). Borrower warrants that,
while any obligation under this Note remains outstanding, Borrower will (i)
refrain from additional borrowing or making of any loan without the approval of
the Lender and (ii) keep the Collateral free and clear of all other liens,
encumbrances and security interests. In the event of default under this Note,
the Lender may take possession of the Collateral without notice or hearing.

     Borrower may prepay any part or all of the principal amount of this note at
any time and from time to time without penalty, provided that any such
prepayment must be accompanied by a payment of the interest accrued to the date
of the prepayment on the principal amount which is being prepaid.

     All payments made hereunder, including any prepayments, will be deemed to
have been made on the date of receipt by Lender. All payments must be made to
Lender at 555 Main Street, Suite 260, Racine, Wisconsin 53403, or at another
place designated by Lender in a written notice to Borrower.

     The internal laws of the State of Wisconsin govern and control the
construction, enforceability, validity and interpretation of this note.

     The parties hereto waive presentment for payment, notice of dishonor,
protest and notice of protest.

<PAGE>

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower has signed and delivered this Note as of the
date first above written.



                                      HELEN P. JOHNSON-LEIPOLD THIRD PARTY GIFT
                                      AND INHERITANCE TRUST

                                      JOHNSON BANK, trustee

                                          /s/ Brian L. Lucareli
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Brian L. Lucareli, Senior Vice President

<PAGE>

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE
                               REPAYMENT SCHEDULE

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
