Today's Best Fishing Times
Get the best fishing times for Clear Lake with Lake-Link's Fishing Forecast. SEE MORE
Share your catch!
We want to see what you've caught on Clear Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clear Lake, MN
- How big is Clear Lake?
- How deep is Clear Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Clear Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Clear Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Clear Lake area?
- Are there boat launches on Clear Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Clear Lake?
- Are there any state parks near Clear Lake?
How big is Clear Lake?
How deep is Clear Lake?
What kind of fish can you catch in Clear Lake?
Other fish species in the lake include Fathead Minnow, Hybrid Sunfish and White Sucker.
What are the closest cities to Clear Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Clear Lake area?
More Lodging Options
Are there boat launches on Clear Lake?
Are there places to eat and drink near Clear Lake?
Explore the Clear Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
History & Status of the Fishery
Give this southern Minnesota Lake a try! Clear Lake near the town of Russel is a 65 acre southern Minnesota lake with turbid water and a maximum depth near 10 feet with an average depth near 6 feet. While the statistics indicate it historically has underperformed, Clear Lake is a recent overachiever!
Clear Lake was surveyed in August 2016 with 1 gill net and 6 trap nets to assess the fish community. Five species of fish were sampled in the nets including 192 Black Bullhead, 13 Northern Pike, 150 Walleye, 6 White Sucker, and 14 Yellow Perch. Gill nets are good indicators of Walleye and Yellow Perch abundance while trap nets are good indicators of Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Northern Pike abundance.
Yellow Perch, when caught, should be bigger than 8 inches. The catch of 14 per gill net was within the normal range for Clear Lake. The overall size of the Yellow Perch in the 2016 sample was good ranging from 7 to 11 inches with an average length just shy of 9 inches. Additionally, the overall health of each fish was excellent with well-rounded bellies and thick bodies.
Northern Pike across a wide range of sizes can be found in Clear Lake. Northern Pike were caught at a rate of 4 per gill net and 1.5 per trap net. Northern Pike ranged from 11 to 38 inches in the sample with 2 less than 20 inches, 6 within the 20 to 24 inch range, and 5 greater than 24 inches. Overall, the Northern Pike in the sample were in fair health across a wide range of sizes.
Walleye are plentiful in Clear Lake! Walleye were caught at a rate of 94 per gill net and 9 per trap net. The gill net catch rate was nearly 13 times greater than expected catch rates for similar lakes and the trap net catch rate was nearly 5 times greater than expected catch rates for similar lakes. Walleye in the nets ranged in length from 10 to 24 inches with an average length of 15 inches in the gill net and 20 inches in the trap nets. The health of Walleye in the sample was good too, indicating the fish are finding plenty to eat, most likely small Yellow Perch. The Walleye population abundance and overall health is extremely good for a small shallow lake in SW MN. Clear Lake appears primed for good Walleye fishing when the fish are hungry and the bite is on!
Are there any state parks near Clear Lake?
For more Minnesota State Park information see our State Park Guide.
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Clear Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Brawner Lake | 1.7 mi | 30 | 18 ft |
| Rock Lake | 3.6 mi | 379 | 7.9 ft |
| Wood Lake | 4.0 mi | 373 | 14 ft |
| Island Lake | 4.6 mi | 170 | 8 ft |
| Goose Lake | 5.9 mi | 150 | 9 ft |
| Lake Yankton | 7.1 mi | 401 | 8 ft |
| Dead Coon (Main Lake) | 7.4 mi | 547 | 9 ft |
| Sanderson Lake | 8.1 mi | 92 | 6 ft |
| Slough Lake | 8.2 mi | 160 | 13 ft |
| East Twin Lake | 8.8 mi | 356 | 22 ft |
