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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 places to eat and drink near Clear Lake?
- What is the average air temp for 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 Bluntnose Minnow, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter 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 places to eat and drink near Clear Lake?
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History & Status of the Fishery
Clear Lake is a small (120 acres), moderately deep (30 feet maximum) natural environment lake located three miles southeast of the town of the same name. The lake received low priority for management because it has never had a public access. However, dramatic changes have occurred over the last score of years. Landowners report high water, an influx of carp, then an exodus of the same species and nearly a complete loss of aquatic vegetation. These changes seemed to take place in the early 1980s. A survey in 2009 showed submersed vegetation was rare though water clarity was high. It showed few sunfish or northern pike yet walleye were captured at 8.75/gill net.
A 1946 DNR report lists cattail, large-leaf pondweed, muskgrass, buttercup, coontail, milfoil, and large areas of bulrush. The 1954 and 1978 surveys reported similar types and amounts of aquatic vegetation. In 2009, only curlyleaf pondweed was widespread, found on 70% of vegetation transects. All species of aquatic plants were rare. Narrow-leaf, sago, large-leaf, straight-leaf, Illinois, and bushy pondweed were all observed in fewer than 20% of vegetation transects.
A single water sample was collected on 7/27/09 and analyzed by the MDA. Results were: total phosphorous, 0.012 ppm; chlorophyll a, 3.6. A single secchi disc depth in early July was 11 feet. Carlson TSI values were 40, 43 and 43, consistent with meso-trophic conditions.
Previous surveys conducted in 1954 and 1978 showed high numbers of bullheads and bluegills, and good numbers of other sunfish and northern pike. For example, the 1978 survey showed 147 bluegill/trap net while the 2009 survey caught bluegill at a rate of 0.50/trap net.
Walleye in Clear Lake apparently reproduce naturally since no stocking occurs. Walleye ranged in length from 8 - 24 inches with an average length of 15 inches. Four age groups of walleye were sampled. All but two fish were from the 2003 and 2007 year classes. The success of spawning walleye is likely the result of suitable substrate and low numbers of panfish that might otherwise prey on young walleye fry. Growth of walleye was fast and walleye grew to a length of 14 inches in two years.
The catch of northern pike (1.5/gill net) was below the first quartile and the catch of black crappie was within the range of expected values.
The catch of yellow perch (6.75/gill) was within the range of expected values for lake class 29. Yellow perch grew to eight inches by age 4.
Daytime electrofishing on May 21st, 2009 produced a catch per unit of effort of 20 fish/hour. Largemouth bass averaged 14.0 inches in length with a maximum of 20 inches.
What is the average air temp for Clear Lake?
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Clear Lake...DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
Stickney Lake | 0.7 mi | 88 | 5 ft |
Pickerel Lake | 1.8 mi | 108 | 21 ft |
Long Lake | 2.2 mi | 174 | 26 ft |
Fuller Lake | 2.2 mi | 30 | 28 ft |
Round Lake | 2.3 mi | 36 | 43 ft |
Warner Lake | 2.6 mi | 37 | 38 ft |
Dallas Lake | 3.5 mi | 25 | 22 ft |
Feldges Lake | 3.9 mi | 24 | 17 ft |
Camp Lake | 4.2 mi | 77 | 34 ft |
Long Lake | 4.5 mi | 49 | 38 ft |