John Lake
About John Lake
John Lake is a 191-acre lake near Hovland in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 20 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2016.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. John Lake #3 and John Lake #1 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to John Lake
- 191 acres, up to 20 feet deep, near Hovland
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 7.8 feet
- Camping close to the water at John Lake #3 and John Lake #1
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Permit or fee required
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 191 acres
- Max depth
- 20 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 168 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
- Recorded accesses require a permit or fee
Facilities
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping: John Lake #3, John Lake #1, and John Lake #2
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2016
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
John Lake #3, John Lake #1, and John Lake #2 are mapped on or near John Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to John Lake
Compare John Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
McFarland Lake
76 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland386 acres
1.3 miles away
North Fowl Lake
51 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,040 acres
1.8 miles away
Moose Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,026 acres
2.4 miles away
East Pike Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland554 acres
2.7 miles away
South Fowl Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland1,586 acres
2.9 miles away
Stump Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Hovland254 acres
3.6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is John Lake?
John Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland. It covers 191 acres and reaches 20 feet deep.
How big and how deep is John Lake?
John Lake covers 191 acres with about 3.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 20 feet.
What fish can you catch at John Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on John Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at John Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at John Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is John Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for John Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at John Lake?
Yes. John Lake #3, John Lake #1, and John Lake #2 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.