Clear Lake
Lake County, Minnesota
Today's Fishing Forecast
Fishing looks to be fairly active with peak fishing times around 2-4 PM. SEE MORE
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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 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 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?
Explore the Clear Lake area in a RV
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History & Status of the Fishery
Clear Lake is located approximately 8 miles E of Ely in the BWCAW. This scenic lake has several islands and is surrounded by picturesque hills of pines and other conifers. Clear is uniquely situated between the N and S branches of the Kawishiwi River and is popular with wilderness enthusiasts exploring the area.
There is a 144 rod portage from the N Kawishiwi River and a 70 rod portage from the S Kawishiwi River that are the most commonly used accesses to Clear Lake. Another 70 rod portage from Eskwagama Lake can be found on the W side. There are 5 designated USFS campsites located on the lake for overnight use.
Seven species of fish were sampled during the 2018 survey of Clear Lake. Walleye (39%) and northern pike (21%) were the most common species sampled. Low numbers of bluegill and black crappie were observed. Four smallmouth bass were also sampled in 2018.
Walleye numbers in 2018 (7.3/gill net) were above the historic average (2.8/gill net) for this lake and above average (5.4/gill net) compared to other area lakes that are similar. The average walleye sampled measured 14.6 inches long and about 4 years old. Walleye fry are currently stocked during odd-numbered years in Clear Lake. Approximately 64% of the walleye aged in 2018 were from years where fry stocking occurred, indicating a fair amount of natural reproduction also exists. Approximately 73% of the walleye sampled were 12 inches or larger. The largest walleye sampled in 2018 was 22.4 inches in length.
Northern pike numbers in 2018 (4.0/gill net) were similar to the historic average (4.3/gill net) for this lake and identical to the average when compared to other similar lakes in the area. The average pike sampled was 22.8 inches which is slightly larger than the historic average length of 21.7 inches. Approximately 33% of the pike sampled in 2018 were 24 inches or larger with a maximum length of 34.1 inches recorded.
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 | |
| Eskwagama Lake | 0.9 mi | 88 | 12 ft |
| Pickerel Lake | 2.0 mi | 182 | 13 ft |
| Astray Lake | 2.0 mi | 15 | |
| Greenstone Lake | 2.3 mi | 332 | 72 ft |
| Conchu Lake | 2.4 mi | 50 | 67 ft |
| Kempton Lake | 2.5 mi | 69 | 5 ft |
| South Farm Lake | 2.8 mi | 564 | 31 ft |
| Bruin Lake | 2.9 mi | 35 | 30 ft |
| Unnamed Lake | 2.9 mi | 581 | |
| Uranus Lake | 2.9 mi | 23 | 21 ft |
