Clearwater Lake

Clearwater Lake near 47.7342, -95.1902 is a lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota. Clearwater Lake covers about 994 acres, reaches a recorded 60 feet and holds about 27,014 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Clearwater Lake Affect Fishing

Clearwater Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Clearwater Lake

Fish reported from Clearwater Lake include banded killifish, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blackside darter, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, burbot, central mudminnow, chestnut lamprey, cisco, common shiner, golden redhorse, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, logperch, northern pike, northern redbelly dace, pumpkinseed, river redhorse, 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 and pumpkinseed, 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

For bottom fishing at Clearwater Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Rock Bass

At Clearwater Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

Cisco and Burbot

For other cold-water fish at Clearwater Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and fish a glow jig or natural bait close to bottom after dark for burbot.

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 994-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 60-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 27,014 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.