Lake John Ice Fishing Tournaments in 2025

Each year, visitors look forward to competing in the Ice Fishing Tournament at Lake John and Delaney Lakes. This year, things are going to be a little bit different. You’re still going to have two incredible weekends of ice fishing in the Colorado high country. Don’t worry about that. This season, however, the January tournament and February event will be held ONLY at Lake John, January 11-12, 2025 and Feb 8, 2025!

These Ice Fishing Tournaments are some of the biggest events happening in Jackson County during the winter. Hotels and vacation rentals often sell out for the weekend with so many participants coming up, so it’s important to reserve your accommodations early. With less than a month to go, the clock is ticking. The holidays will be over before you know it, but for die hard anglers, ice fishing season means the good times have only just begun.

What Has Changed This Year?

Being one of the biggest draws to North Park during the year, the ice fishing tournament simply got too big for three lakes. If that leaves you scratching your head, just keep in mind that the folks at Lake John Resort have a limited number of volunteers and paid staff who have to keep track of all the anglers out on the ice. 

To make sure judging is fair and catches are properly recorded, Delaney Lakes and Cowdrey Lake are being benched this year. Lake John is still big enough to ensure plenty of large catches and two amazing weekends on the ice. It also means that you won’t be overlooked when it comes to making contact with judges or event staff who are there to help and answer questions.

Roads

Weather in North Park can get pretty extreme, with many of our county roads becoming snowed in throughout the winter. The roads to Lake John will be open for the ice fishing tournament! As always, when traveling in North Park in the winter time, be prepared for all kinds of weather and driving conditions. 

Cars are not recommended to park on the ice, mostly because of the chance of getting stuck. You will have better access to choice fishing areas on Lake John anyway by using a sled or snowmobile. Just park and take your gear out to your preferred area! If you can get to the area you want, you can fish it! There is plenty of parking at Lake John Resort and you can park all the way up to the shores of the lake itself.

What to Know About Ice Fishing in Lake John

Time and Place of the Lake John Ice Fishing Tournament

The dates for each tournament are Jan 11-12, and February 8, 2025

Entry Fees for Early Bird Registration are $55 per adult and $15 for kids through Dec. 15, 2024. After that, fees go to $60 per adult and $20 for kids. To Register online go to www.northparkchamber.org

Cash Prizes and More!

Winning fish are selected by using a formula of the measurement of length and girth of qualifying fish in millimeters. $100 prizes are given for the biggest fish of the hour throughout the day. Doorprizes of gift cards, fishing equipment, heaters, and much more are also given out to lucky winners. Cash prizes for each category are:

Ice and Weather

By the middle of January, ice is typically thick enough to support snowmobiles and other vehicles. It is definitely thick enough to support fishermen and their gear. Lake John sits at the foot of the Park Range and conditions can be very windy, with blowing ice and snow dropping the temperature into subzero wind chill ranges. Dress for winter weather, preferably in layers, and stay dry.

Most body heat is lost to the ground when you are outside in winter conditions, and hypothermia can progress quickly if your clothes get wet. A good way to stay high and dry is with a simple 5 gallon plastic bucket, which can be used to carry gear, as well as a good place to sit while you fish. You can also carry your catch in it for the trip back.

To help stay warm, drink plenty of fluids, especially hot drinks, and water to stay hydrated. Alcohol dehydrates you in winter conditions and can actually lead to making you more susceptible to the elements. Plenty of snacks will also keep your body’s furnace going while you fish. 

Pack Your Trash!

To make sure everyone can continue to enjoy ice fishing at Lake John, always pack out your trash and other waste. The litter and waste you leave on the ice eventually winds up at the bottom of the lake, contributing to pollution and affecting the health of the fish you’ve come to catch. Doing your part to keep it clean for everyone makes sure we get a chance to enjoy public lands for generations to come.

Fishing Conditions

Lake John has several species of trout that are stocked every year. Throughout the seasons, Lake John trout get fat on beetles, shrimp, and other forage, giving them that distinctive pink flesh that is sought after.

Lake John has a limit of 4 fish in your possession. Volunteers and staff in conjunction with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be checking periodically during the tournament as part of the rules and regulations.

Lake John is right around 21’ deep, with a below surface environment of weed beds and shallows where all sorts of varieties of trout love to hang out. Typically, shallow areas get the best luck, but this year, reports have come in with some large fish already being caught in deeper waters.

In past years, as many as thirty fish were caught during the tournament that were over 24” in length. The majority of fish caught in Lake John are around 14-20” in length. You’ll find brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat, sanger, and cuttbow trout in Lake John’s waters. The cuttbow, a hybrid of cutthroat and rainbow trout, is favored to win.

What You’ll Need

Ice fishing can be as simple as you want it to be, or a deluxe outdoors experience. For the basics, you’ll want an ice fishing rod and reel, warm clothes, and a plastic bucket. Sharing an ice auger with your fishing buddies is a good way to make your ice fishing budget go further. Ice augers are definitely recommended, especially as ice thickens throughout the winter. 

Spending more money on ice fishing is mostly to make the experience more comfortable, with ice fishing shelters, heaters, and other equipment available to help take the edge off when it comes to outdoor winter recreation.

You’re also going to need a valid fishing license, which can be bought at any number of spots in Walden, or online at the CPW website.

Where to Stay in North Park

Spots can fill up quickly at Lake John Resort .Plan ahead and book your lodging in a hotel, VRBO, or AirBnB vacation rental property in Walden, CO. Choose from a wide selection of vacation rentals, ranging from quaint to unique, and everything in-between. Great for single occupancy or large groups of visitors. 

 Here are the best hotels and places to stay in Walden, CO

• Antlers Inn Call: (970) 723-8690
• North Park Inn and Suites Call: (970) 723-4271
• Chedsey Motel Call: (970) 723-8201
• Lake John Resort (970) 723-8201
• Check out these listings for other places in Jackson County!

Places to Eat Nearby

When it’s cold outside, you’ll want to find a place that warms you up from the inside out. That can mean some carryout to your room or a sit down meal at any one of our fine establishments*. 

• Rita’s Cafe, Walden, CO
• Howling Coyote Mexican Inn, Gould, CO
• The 10th Frame, Walden, CO 
• River Rock Cafe, Walden, CO
• Stockman Bar and Grill, Walden, CO
• Four Winds Pizza, Walden, CO

*Winter Hours are Subject to Change, especially depending on weather.

World Class Fishing at Lake John

People all around the world have heard of Lake John. It has become nearly synonymous with North Park in the angling community. With clear skies and high altitude waters, ice fishing at Lake John is a dream destination for Colorado visitors. Lake John resort also gives competitors a place to gather, warm up, and trade fish-tales throughout the event.

Even if you are new to ice fishing or have been doing it for years, you won’t want to miss what is happening at Lake John this year. Fish are already biting and the ice is getting thicker every day. You won’t find a more captivating ice fishing experience in the Colorado Rocky Mountains with views like the ones you’ll find at Lake John.

After the holidays are done you owe it to yourself to get away for a little rest and relaxation. Make North Park your favorite winter destination in Colorado. You won’t have the crowds or the traffic to fight. Only beautiful scenery and a one of a kind experience that will keep you coming back for more. Come to North Park, where you’ll meet the real Colorado all over again!