Clear

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Clear Lake was conducted on July 28-30, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at fourteen sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eleven stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample one station. Two stations were not seined due dense vegetation and/or soft sediment. Nearshore sampling captured twenty species of fish, including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one species (i.e., Green Sunfish) that is tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA program staff. Twelve trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured nine species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass) and zero that are tolerant of disturbance. Bluegill and Hybrid Sunfish comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Clear Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that is above the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Clear Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Clear Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Clear Lake is located just to the northeast of Mille Lacs in Glen Township, Aitkin County. There is state-owned land including a swimming area and public access with a concrete log ramp and dock on the east side of the lake. In 2024, the largest island on Clear Lake was purchased by the MN DNR using funds acquired from the settlement of the 2010 Gulf oil spill, and designated as an aquatic management area (AMA). The general-use AMA was purchased to help preserve and protect critical shoreline habitat (including for Loon nesting) and to provide outdoor recreational use, such as angling and wildlife observation. The lake is popular for residents and visitors for its clear water, sandy shorelines, and variety of angling opportunities. Walleye are the primary management species. The Walleye fishery is maintained through annual fingerling stocking. The 2024 Walleye catch (0.9 per gill net) was down from the 2019 survey (1.2 per gill net), but remained within the normal range when compared to similar lakes. Walleye captured in gill nets averaged 17.3 inches and ranged from 13.2 to 20.2 inches, while Walleye captured in trap nets averaged 19.2 inches and ranged from 13.3 to 29.6 inches. Walleye ranged in age from 2 to 15 years old, with 8 year classes present in the subsample The Northern Pike catch rate (11.0 per gill net) increased slightly from 2019 (9.1 per gill net) and was in the normal range for this type of lake. Size distribution in gill nets ranged from 9.9 to 33.6 inches with an average of 16.0 inches and 1.0 pound. In 2024, only 7 percent of Northern Pike were greater than 24.0 inches, compared to 28 percent in 2019. Large pike play an important role in a lake's food web, and anglers are encouraged to release larger fish to maximize the health of the fishery. Largemouth Bass continue to be abundant (4.8 per gill net) and above the typical range when compared to similar lakes. The Bass population has shown an increasing trend over time in gill net catches. Bass from gill nets ranged in length from 7.0 to 15.6 inches and averaged 10.5 inches and 0.6 pounds. Spring nighttime electrofishing was also performed in 2024. One hundred and seventy-three Bass were captured for a catch rate of 86.5 per hour, an increase from 2019 (31.3 per hour). Electrofishing-collected Bass averaged 11.1 inches and ranged from 6.0 to 20.8 inches. Growth rate of Bass is slow, averaging only 8.6 inches in 4 years. The Bluegill catch in 2024 (63.9 per trap net) increased from the previous assessment in 2019 (48.7 per trap net) and was above the typical range of similar lakes. Bluegill ranged from 3.5 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.8 inches. More fish over 7.0 inches were observed in this survey than any previous survey, dating back to 1970. Roughly two percent of trap net sampled Bluegill were 8.0 inches or greater and, while still low, was an improvement from previous surveys. Hybrid Sunfish also provide a slightly better size structure for anglers looking to harvest panfish. Hybrid Sunfish were captured at a rate of 10.7 per trap net in 2024, compared to 8.0 per trap net in 2019. Hybrid Sunfish caught in trap nets ranged in length from 3.9 to 8.5 inches, averaging 7.2 inches. In 2024, roughly nine percent of trap net-caught Hybrid Sunfish were larger than 8.0 inches. Anglers are reminded that Clear Lake has a special regulation for Sunfish (10 fish daily limit) as a part of the statewide Quality Sunfish Initiative to help maintain and improve Sunfish size structure. Black Crappie are a minor component of the fishery at Clear Lake. They had a modest gill net catch (1.6 per gill net), which remained within the normal range for the lake class. Black Crappie averaged 7.5 inches, with fish up to 11.3 inches sampled, although growth rates are relatively slow, reaching only 7.0 inches in 4 years. Other species sampled during the 2024 standard survey included Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed, Rockbass, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. In addition to the standard survey work, IBI (Index of Biotic Integrity) sampling using backpack electrofishing and seining was also conducted in 2024, to more broadly sample the general fish community and develop a fish-based index of overall lake health. Nineteen nearshore fish species were sampled during the IBI survey including Blackchin Shiner, Banded Killifish, Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Blacknose Shiner, Central Mudminnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Jonny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rockbass, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Clear Lake was conducted 06/27/2024, by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 14 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample six stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at six stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense aquatic vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured 22 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one that was tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biotic integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey suggest that the fish community in Clear Lake is healthy, as indicated by a FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings which indicated that Clear Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Clear Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Yellow Perch, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, and Smallmouth Bass in Clear. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Clear. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Clear has a maximum depth of 24 feet and a mean depth of 6 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clear is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Clear in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.