Dan Kirmer, from John Martin State Park, joined me on my radio show last Saturday, along with Austin Parr, to talk about upcoming activities at the park.
The next big event is the High Plains Snow Goose Festival Feb, 8-11. In spring, waves of bright white snow geese fly into southeastern Colorado. They roost on the scattered lakes on the prairie and feed in the surrounding fields, making the area a favorite rest stop on their annual migration. Kirmer said there will soon be upwards of 50,000 geese stopping at John Martin State Park and Reservoir, 30703 County Road 24, Hasty. He estimates that there are about 20,000 snow geese at the park.
In conjunction with this phenomenon, the 16th annual Snow Goose Festival will be held in the area. The event is region wide and includes bird watching, tours of the area, crafts and a host of other activities. I asked Kirmer if the geese stick around for the festival. “We sent them numerous memos with the dates,” he quipped.
As for fishing, John Martin Reservoir has long been a favorite angling destination for both Parr and me. The lake has seen its challenges in the past few years with low water and a loss of fish. Current conditions have greatly improved. With plentiful water the reservoir now boasts a surface area of over 10,000 acres, rivaling Blue Mesa for the largest reservoir in the state. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the fishery.
This spring, John Martin Reservoir may be the premier fishing destination in the state. White bass are plentiful and reaching very good size. Once you find them it’s almost a fish on every cast. The walleye/saugeye population has rebounded in spectacular fashion with not only numbers of fish but size. Five-and-six pounders are a regular part of the catch. The real star, though, may be the crappies,which showed up in numbers and size last fall and Kirmer is looking forward to great spring crappie fishing. Both small and largemouth bass are starting to show up in greater numbers, not to mention a substantial population of catfish, wiper and drum.
Sometimes called a sapphire on the plains, John Martin Reservoir is a peaceful paradise in which people play, birds flock and wildlife roams. The park is close to historic landmarks, yet remote enough to attract year-round nature and recreation lovers. The reservoir provides uncrowded boating, waterskiing, and spectacular conditions for a wide variety of wind water sports.
John Martin Reservoir is currently iced over except for an area in the middle of the lake. I would look for it to open up very soon. The official opening of the boat ramp with ANS inspectors is planned for March 15th. If the ice recedes earlier, the boat ramp at Lane 19 remains open, but requires a pre inspection. (See CPW website for details). If you enjoy water-based activities like fishing and boating, John Martin should be high on your list. Its size and distance from the metro area means you never feel crowded. It’s a jewel of the prairie that belongs on your outdoor itinerary.
Learn more about John Martin State Park at here, and more about the High Plains Snow Goose Festival here.
To hear my entire interview with Dan Kirmer, click here.
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