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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?
- What is the average air temp for 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, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Orangespotted 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?
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History & Status of the Fishery
Clear Lake is 261 acres located in Martin County near the City of Ceylon. Clear Lake has a maximum depth of seven feet and is located in a watershed that is comprised primarily of agriculture (90 percent). Clear Lake is managed primarily for Walleye and secondarily for Yellow Perch, Black Crappie, and White Crappie. Clear Lake was surveyed the week of August 1, 2016 to monitor fish populations using three gill nets and nine trap nets.
In 2016, Walleye were captured at a rate of 2.7 per gill net, which is the lowest catch rate ever recorded on Clear Lake, and is near the lower end of the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.3 per gill net). Walleye ranged from 9.7 to 17.3 inches in length and averaged 13.2 inches. Growth was slow as age-3 fish averaged 10.6 inches. Walleye were skinny, indicating that prey may be scarce. Natural reproduction does not occur in Clear Lake, as all aged Walleye corresponded to stocking events.
Since 2003, the Yellow Perch catch rate has been below the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (2.7 per gill net). The 2016 catch rate was similar at 1.3 per gill net. Yellow Perch ranged in length from 6.4 to 7.5 inches, and were skinny. The panfish niche is possibly being filled by the high crappie abundance.
Black Crappie were sampled at a rate of 16.4 per trap net in 2016, above the long term average of 9.7 per trap net, and within the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (1.2 to 20.5 per trap net). Lengths ranged from 4.1 to 9.4 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. The 2016 White Crappie catch rate of 12.9 per trap net exceeded the long term average of 3.5 per trap net and the expected range of catch rates for similar lakes (0.3 to 6.0 per trap net). White Crappie ranged in length from 4.7 to 9.2 inches and averaged 6.8 inches. Within the next couple of years, Black Crappies should be reaching a size that is desirable to anglers and are abundant enough that they should provide good angling action.
Channel Catfish, ranging from 17.7 to 31.4 inches, were caught at a rate of 1.7 per gill net, slightly above the long term average. The Black Bullhead catch rate was 8.1 per trap net, well below the long term average of 127.0 per trap net. Common Carp were caught at a rate of 2.7 per trap net, similar to catch rates since 2003. Other species sampled included Bigmouth Buffalo, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
What is the average air temp for Clear Lake?
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 | |
Okamanpeedan Lake | 3.3 mi | 2,268 | 6.5 ft |
Tuttle Lake | 3.5 mi | 2,268 | 8 ft |
Bright Lake | 4.2 mi | 639 | 7 ft |
Willmert Lake (Main Bay) | 8.7 mi | 335 | 8 ft |
Iowa Lake | 9.0 mi | 705 | 9.4 ft |
South Silver Lake | 9.1 mi | 252 | 22 ft |
Temperance Lake | 9.6 mi | 166 | 5 ft |
Iowa Lake | 9.7 mi | 802 | 9 ft |
Amber Lake | 10.3 mi | 182 | 19 ft |
Fox Lake | 10.6 mi | 951 | 20 ft |