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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Are there boat launches on Clear Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Clear Lake?

Clear Lake is a 352-acre eutrophic (fertile) lake located in southwest Otter Tail County approximately two miles south of Dalton, MN. The immediate watershed consists primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 29 feet; however, 43% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2012 lake survey was 11.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 3.1 to 8.1 feet.
The majority of the shoreline is undeveloped. A DNR owned public access is located along the west shoreline. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand, gravel, and rubble. Hardstem bulrush is prevalent along shoreline areas and on a mid-lake hump. Emergent aquatic macrophytes such as bulrush provide important fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms from erosion and can actually absorb and breakdown polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning habitat for fish species like northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit.
Walleye is a primary management specie for this lake. Walleyes ranged in length from 7.5 to 28.6 inches with an average length and weight of 15.8 inches and 1.9 pounds. Age data indicate that the 2010 year class is strong and should provide consistently good walleye angling for several years. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.4 inches at four years of age.
Northern pike abundance and size structure has historically fluctuated. Pike ranged in length from 15.8 to 34.5 inches with an average length and weight of 22.6 inches and 2.5 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 24.7 inches at four years of age.
Bluegill abundance and size structure has also fluctuated. Only four percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 6.0 inches at three years of age.
Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with an opportunity to catch more large fish in the future.

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