Clear Lake

How big is Clear Lake?

How deep is Clear Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Clear Lake?

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What aquatic invasive species are found in Clear Lake?

INTRODUCTION

Clear Lake is a 415-acre lake located four miles west of the City of Jackson in Jackson County. The lake has a maximum depth of 9.0 feet and a shoreline length of 3.8 miles. Similar to other lakes in the area, the water is turbid throughout much of the year as evidenced by a Secchi depth of 1.2 feet in early June of 2015. Clear Lake has historically been a good Walleye fishery and therefore is managed primarily for Walleye. Secondary management species include Northern Pike and Yellow Perch. The current management plan calls for Walleye fry to be stocked 3 of 4 years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 etc.). Northern Pike are stocked when there is a surplus available. Northern Pike fingerlings were stocked in 2005, 2007, and 2010, and Northern Pike adults were stocked in 2010 and 2013. Clear Lake was surveyed the week of June 1, 2015 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and eight trap nets.


WALLEYE

Since 1982, catch rates of Walleye in Clear Lake have varied from 1.7 per gill net in 2003 to 18.0 per gill net in 1990, and have averaged 9.3 per gill net. The 2015 Walleye catch rate of 4.0 per gill net was the second lowest catch rate observed on Clear Lake, but was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes in the Windom management area (2.3 to 13.3 per gill net). The trap net catch rate of Walleye in 2015 was 2.4 per trap net, which is above the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes in the Windom management area (0.3 to 2.0 per trap net). Walleye captured in gill nets ranged from 12.1 to 22.6 inches and averaged 14.6 inches. Trap netted Walleye were smaller ranging in length from 11.6 to 14.5 inches and averaging 13.0 inches. Four year classes of Walleye were sampled (2007, 2009, 2010, and 2013), all of which corresponded to stocking events. Age-2 walleye dominated the catch, accounting for 77 percent of the aged fish. Lengths at age were 9.7 inches at age-1, 12.5 inches at age-2, 15.0 inches at age-3, 16.6 inches at age-4, 18.4 inches at age-5, and 19.3 inches at age-6. When compared to growth of Walleye from other class 43 lakes, growth of Walleye in Clear Lake is slow to age-4, and average thereafter. The current stocking of fry at a rate of 500 per littoral acre, 3 out of 4 years appears to be an effective strategy on Clear Lake, despite the relatively low catch rate observed in 2015. High fishing pressure and subsequent high harvest rates likely account for the "below average" catch rate. On opening day of the 2011 angling season, word got out of a hot walleye bite at Clear Lake, which attracted nearly 100 boats to the 415-acre lake. Similarly, anglers reported good fishing during the 2015 angling opener, likely removing a large portion of the population. Beginning in 2016, Clear Lake is going to be stocked with Lower Mississippi Strain Walleye fry (500 per littoral acre). This is the same strain of Walleye that has persisted in Lake Sarah (Murray County) without any stocking for decades.


NORTHERN PIKE

Since 1982, Northern Pike catch rates have varied from 0.0 per gill net in 1993 to 5.0 per gill net in 1982, and have averaged 1.4 per gill net. In 2015, Northern Pike were captured at a rate of 3.3 per gill net, which is the highest catch rate observed in the past 20 years, and is above the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes in the Windom management area (0.0 to 2.0 per gill net). This increase in abundance is likely a result of the winter rescue adult northern pike (317; approx. a pound apiece) that were stocked in 2013. Lengths of Northern Pike ranged from 19.1 to 22.1 inches and averaged 20.8 inches, further suggesting that these fish were from the 2013 adult stocking. Northern pike were very plump and are not struggling to find food in Clear Lake. Northern Pike fingerling stocking was tried in the mid to late 2000's, with little to no success. It appears that, when available, stocking adult winter rescue pike is an effective way to maintain the Northern Pike population in Clear Lake.


YELLOW PERCH

The Yellow Perch population in Clear Lake has been highly variable, ranging from 0.3 per gill net in 1990 to 263.0 per gill net in 1987, and averaging 47.1 per gill net since 1982. More recently since 2001, Yellow Perch catch rates have averaged 18.0 per gill net, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes in the Windom management area (3.3 to 30.4 per gill net). The 2015 catch rate of 4.3 per gill net was near the lower end of the expected range and was the lowest catch rate observed in the past 20 years. Size structure of Yellow Perch was balanced as lengths ranged from 7.2 to 12.6 inches and averaged 9.3 inches. Adults capable of reproducing are present in the system, and will likely maintain the Yellow Perch population. In future years, if the catch rate of Yellow Perch drops below 3.3 per gill net, adult Yellow Perch could be stocked to boost the population.


BLACK CRAPPIE

The catch rate of Black Crappie decreased from 5.1 per trap net in 2011 to 0.6 per trap net in 2015, and was below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net). Lengths of Black Crappie ranged from 11.7 to 12.6 inches and averaged 12.3 inches. Catch rates of Black Crappie in Clear Lake have consistently been near the lower end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 per trap net) since surveys began in 1982.


BLUEGILL

Bluegill occur at very low abundance in Clear Lake (0.5 per trap net in 2015), as historic catch rates have never exceeded the lower end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 per trap net). Despite being sparse, size of Bluegills was large, with some up to 9.8 inches being sampled.


CHANNEL CATFISH

Channel Catfish abundance decreased from 3.0 per gill net in 2011 to 1.3 per gill net in 2015, which is within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes in the Windom management area (0.0 to 3.0 per gill net). Channel Catfish ranged in length from 17.8 to 26.9 inches and averaged 21.4 inches. Channel Catfish were first sampled in Clear Lake in 1987 and based on historical stocking records, DNR has never introduced them. They were likely introduced during a high water event, or through an illegal stocking. To avoid unintended introductions, anglers should be diligent about disposing of unused bait in the trash, and should report unpermitted movement of fish.


BLACK BULLHEAD

Since 2005, the Black Bullhead trap net catch rate has been at or below the lower end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (11.5 per trap net). The trend continued in 2015 as Black Bullhead were captured at a rate of 6.8 per trap net. Lengths of Black Bullhead ranged from 10.6 to 14.1 inches and averaged 12.6 inches. Black Bullhead are likely being controlled by Walleye and Channel Catfish.


FRESHWATER DRUM

Freshwater Drum were first sampled in Clear Lake in 1999, and were likely introduce by a flooding event or an illegal stocking. Since the all-time high catch rate observed in 2007 (16.7 per gill net), Freshwater Drum abundance has stabilized around the upper end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (8.4 per gill net). The 2015 catch rate of 9.7 per gill net was near the upper end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes, and was the second highest observed catch rate of Freshwater Drum in Clear Lake. Lengths of Freshwater Drum ranged from 13.2 to 19.3 inches and averaged 14.3 inches. While young-of-the-year (YOY) Freshwater Drum provide a prey item for Walleye, adult Freshwater Drum likely compete with Walleye for food.


OTHER SPECIES

Common Carp abundance in 2015 (1.9 per trap net) was consistent with catch rates since 2003, and was within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.0 to 5.5 per trap net). Common Carp lengths from trap nets ranged from 21.7 to 27.9 inches and averaged 24.7 inches.

Abundance of Bigmouth Buffalo remained low as one 19.5 inch Bigmouth Buffalo was captured in the gill net. Other species sampled included Yellow Bullhead (N=8) and White Sucker (N=9).
Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain or improve water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Best management practices within the watershed (no-till farming, cover crops, buffer strips, targeted fertilizer application, reduced or metered tiling) would help reduce nutrients entering the lake. High nutrient and sediment input can cause algae blooms and reduce overall water quality. Any improvements in the watershed are likely to have positive impacts on the fishery.

Prepared by Jonah Dagel

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