Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท North Platte Basin
Lake John sits northwest of Walden in North Park. It is a big, shallow, fertile lake known for fast-growing rainbows and cutbows.
Looking for the latest Lake John river report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Lake John.
Water level
There is no public water level gauge for Lake John. Call the shop or the park for the latest.
Wind forecast
Lake John fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Fishing is good with the cold weather pushing fish shallower. Smaller high lakes in North Park are starting to freeze, so it may not last long.
Fish chironomids, eggs and leeches under an indicator in 4 to 10 feet, or strip boatmen and leeches at first and last light.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Lake John, bring: Chironomid #14-18, Balanced Leech #10-12, Egg #14, Water Boatman #14, Scud #14-16, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Woolly Bugger #6-10, Slump Buster #6-8, Clouser Minnow #2-6, Pitching Leech #10.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Lake John lake details
| Access | Lake John State Wildlife Area, northwest of Walden off County Road 7. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 8,050 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 184 miles, roughly 5 hours 6 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Ice-off through fall, plus ice fishing |
| Fish | Rainbows, cutbows and browns |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 4X to 5X tippet |
| Ice fishing | One of Colorado's most popular ice fishing lakes. Never go out on less than 4 inches of clear ice. |
| Camping | Camping at the state wildlife area and Lake John Resort |
| Kids | Yes. Shallow, easy shoreline. |
| Good to know | Windy and exposed. Ice comes early in North Park. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Ice fishing.
Spring
Ice-off fish cruise the shallows.
Summer
Damsels and chironomids.
Fall
Fish feed hard before ice.
How to get there
Take I-25 north to Fort Collins and Highway 14 over Cameron Pass to Walden, then go northwest on County Road 7 to Lake John.