Lake John
State Park in Jackson County, Colorado
Water Type:
Conditions:
It provides quality fishing opportunities for rainbow, cutbow, and Snake River cutthroats while allowing fishing with bait. Limits are reduced in this area. Check regulations.
Stocking Report:
Activities:
Common Species:
Lake John
State Park in Jackson County, Colorado
Water Type:
Conditions:
It provides quality fishing opportunities for rainbow, cutbow, and Snake River cutthroats while allowing fishing with bait. Limits are reduced in this area. Check regulations.
Stocking Report:
Activities:
Common Species:
About Lake John
From open water to ice fishing months, Lake John is rich with catchable rainbow trout, cutbows and Snake River cutthroats.
About Lake John State Wildlife Area
The lake and the sweeping sagebrush flats at Lake John SWA provide habitat for pronghorn, waterfowl and other wildlife. Surrounded by mountains on either side, this is the perfect location for fishing while marveling at the stunning mountain views around you.
About Quality Waters
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is excited to announce Quality Waters, a new category of fishable waters that our talented team of fish management biologists has identified and nominated based on their fish sampling records, creel surveys, and professional biological assessments.
Activities at this Location
Fishing
Boating
Camping
Wildlife Viewing
Visit Lake John
Location: Lake John State Wildlife Area is located off of CO-125, northwest of Walden.
Directions
From Denver: Take I-70 West toward Grand Junction, then take US-40 West. Keep right to get onto CO-125 North. When you get to Walden, make the left onto County Rd 12 West, make a right to stay on County Rd 12 W, then keep right to get onto County Rd 7. Keep left to get onto Jackson County Rd 7A, then turn left into the Lake John State Wildlife Area parking lot.
From Fort Collins: Take CO-14 West. When you get to Walden, make the left onto County Rd 12 West, make a right to stay on County Rd 12 W, then keep right to get onto County Rd 7. Keep left to get onto Jackson County Rd 7A, then turn left into the Lake John State Wildlife Area parking lot.
From Grand Junction: Take I-70 East.
SWA Pass Required
To access Lake John State Wildlife Area, individuals aged 16 or older must possess a valid license or State Wildlife Area pass. These can be obtained through CPW authorized sales agents by phone (1-800-244-5613) or online at CPWShop.
Boating at Lake John
Both motorized and nonmotorized boating is allowed. All vessels and water users must observe all Colorado boating statutes and regulations at all times.
Stay Safe on the Water
Keep your time on the water fun and safe by following some simple safety guidelines.
Life Jackets
You must wear a life jacket/personal floatation device (PFD) that is the correct size for you when engaging in water activities. Check with the park you are planning to visit to see if they offer loaner life jackets.
Boating Rules
Be prepared for your day on the water by familiarizing yourself with the guidelines and regulations for your water activity.
Learn the RulesFishing at Lake John
Lake Surface Acres: 565
Pond Features:
- Restrooms/Boat ramps
Don't Forget Your Fishing License
All anglers need a fishing license, but youth aged 15 and under fish for free. Reduced cost licenses are available for Colorado residents including: adults, youth aged 16 to 17, seniors, active duty members, first responders with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities.
Rules and Restrictions
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The bag and possession limit for trout is four fish.
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Waterskiing and sailboards prohibited.
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No live fish for bait are permitted.
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To access Lake John State Wildlife Area, individuals aged 16 or older must possess a valid license or State Wildlife Area pass.
Fish at this Location
Rainbow trout
Casting lures and plugs during dawn and dusk hours around cattails and sunken logs will give you the best chance to land one of the lunkers.
More About Rainbow Trout
Cutbow
As a hybrid of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, cutbows have a combination of traits from both species.
More About Cutbows
Snake River Cutthroat Trout
Snake River cutthroats are typically caught closer to shore at Lake John, compared to rainbows and cuttbows, and grow exceptionally well in this fishery.
More About Snake River Cutthroat TroutCatch a Record
Fishing Awards and Records
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizes licensed anglers who catch exceptionally large fish through three separate programs, Record by Weight, Record by Length (released only) and Master Angler. Learn more about what it takes to be a Colorado record holder!
Fishing Survey
Since sucker removal efforts in 2011, trout catch rates have doubled at Lake John. Here, biologists measured their catches in kilograms per net hour, the combined number of hours between all nets used to sample the lake.
| Time Period | Trout (kg/net hour) | Suckers (kg/net hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-2021 | 1.29 | 0 |
| 1997-2121 | .57 | 1.62 |
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS Before Coming to Lake John
To boat on the lake, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection is required. Be sure to check the hours and dates of operation for the most convenient inspection sites before planning to use a motorized boat.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections.
Inspection Locations
There are no ANS inspections for boats at St. Vrain State Park. Please remember to have your boat inspected ahead of time.
The closest ANS inspection locations are at Boulder Reservoir, Barr Lake State Park, Boyd Lake State Park and Stanley Lake. See the list linked below for inspection locations.
Aquatic Nuisance Species
How to Clean Your Hand Launch Vessels and Fishing Gear
Invasive species of plants and wildlife harm Colorado's land and water, negatively impacting the state’s economy, recreation, property values and public health. Invasive wildlife spread by hitchhiking on watercraft, trailers, vehicles, tires, boots, waders, equipment, gear, firewood and even dogs!
Angling — How to Clear Your Gear Video
Angling — Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
After cleaning their gear, anglers should then perform one of the following options to disinfect their gear before going into the next body of water or moving to a new stretch of river.
Option 1
- Disinfect waders and gear with quaternary ammonia cleaner (QAC).
- After cleaning, submerge gear in a tub filled with a solution of 6oz QAC/gallon of water for at least 10 minutes. Follow all precautionary label instructions!
- Rinse water must be from a clean source to avoid re-infection.
- Dispose of the chemical bath properly away from any waters.
Option 2
- Heat treat your gear by soaking or spraying for 10 minutes with 140o Fahrenheit water.
Option 3
- Dry your waders and equipment completely for a minimum of 10 days between use.
Option 4
- Freeze your waders and boots overnight between use.
Clean
- Keep your distance from storm drains and new bodies of water while cleaning all equipment.
- Remove all visible plant material, animals, and mud from the hull, trailer and all compartments including footwells and storage areas.
- Clean all other equipment that was used including paddles, dry storage bags, leashes, anchors and lifejackets.
Dr
- Ensure that all water has been drained from your inflatable watercraft.
- Carry your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to a dry location to drain and dry. Tilt and lift your watercraft to empty any water that has pooled inside the interior compartments.
- If your inflatable watercraft has a two-layer (bladder/shell) construction or a floor that allows water inside the shell, be sure to drain all the areas where water could be trapped.
Dry
- Sponge or towel any water that remains on the watercraft following your draining process.
- Find a place where the kayak, canoe or paddleboard can continue to dry completely.
- Leave your watercraft inflated until it is completely dry. When fully dry, place the air valve down when deflating to prevent water from getting inside.
Boating and Fishing Regulations
Manual de Navegación (En Español)
El folleto de Manual de Navegación en línea es la versión más actualizada.
Descargue el Folleto
Colorado Fishing Brochure
The online Fishing brochure is the most up-to-date version.
Download the Brochure
Pesca en Colorado (En Español)
El folleto de Pesca en línea es la versión más actualizada.
Descargue el Folleto
Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure
Be a Pain in the ANS!
If you use water, aquatic nuisance species (ANS) can affect you. For example, Zebra and quagga mussels clog up the infrastructure that delivers water to our homes. Keeping invasive species under control is a matter of public health.