Clearwater Lake near 45.3044, -94.1192 is a lake in Wright County, Minnesota. Clearwater Lake covers about 1,658 acres, reaches a recorded 70 feet and holds about 36,834 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Clearwater Lake Affect Fishing
Clearwater Lake is too large to fish all at once, so pick one group of coves and points and stay there long enough to learn what the fish are using.
Fish and Baits at Clearwater Lake
Fish reported from Clearwater Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common carp, fathead minnow, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, least darter, logperch, northern pike, pugnose shiner, pumpkinseed, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Clearwater Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Clearwater Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Clearwater Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Clearwater Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads and Carp
For bottom fishing at Clearwater Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Clearwater Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Clearwater Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco
For other cold-water fish at Clearwater Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling.
How the Seasons Change Clearwater Lake
Spring at Clearwater Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Clearwater Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Clearwater Lake
On a first trip to Clearwater Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Clearwater Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Clearwater Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Clearwater Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 1,658-acre Clearwater Lake?
At Clearwater Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 70-foot deep end of Clearwater Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Clearwater Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 36,834 acre-foot storage figure mean at Clearwater Lake?
At Clearwater Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.