---
type: lake
name: "John Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Hovland"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 191
max_depth_ft: 20
latitude: 48.06841
longitude: -90.06137
lake_score: 44
dnr_lake_id: "16003500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/john-lake
---

# John Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Hovland

- **Surface Area**: 191 acres
- **Max Depth**: 20 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.9 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 44/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Permit or fee required

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 5
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2016
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

### Campgrounds

- John Lake #3
- John Lake #1
- John Lake #2

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [McFarland Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/mcfarland-lake) - 1.3 miles, 386 acres
- [North Fowl Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/north-fowl-lake) - 1.8 miles, 1,040 acres
- [Moose Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moose-lake) - 2.4 miles, 1,026 acres
- [East Pike Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/east-pike-lake) - 2.7 miles, 554 acres
- [South Fowl Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/south-fowl-lake) - 2.9 miles, 1,586 acres
- [Stump Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/stump-lake) - 3.6 miles, 254 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.06841,-90.06137)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16003500)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/john-lake)*