Clearwater

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake on August 11th, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as 'Tullibee', are also present). Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 99.1 feet), the water temperature decreased to 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 43.2 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration stayed greater than 3.0 mg/L for the entire sampled depth. This layer in the water column was 55.9 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Lake Trout was present. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. In this case, the minimum temperature, 6.6 degrees C (43.9 degrees F), was substituted as TDO3. TDO3 values cooler than 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 6 years, between 1955-2024, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 1977 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 10.4 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake, on August 19, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as Tullibee, are present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 55.8 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration never decreased below 3.0 mg/L at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 45.9 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because the dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. The temperature at the bottom of the lake was 7.3 degrees C (45.1 degrees F). Instances in which the dissolved oxygen does not reach below 3.0 mg/L and temperature remains below 8.8 degrees C, indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1955-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1986-2020, this data indicated suitable conditions during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1977, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 10.4 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected in the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake, on August 19, 2024, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Trout, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake (Cisco, also known as Tullibee, are present). During the summer, Lake Trout require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the water temperature dropped below 8.8 degrees C (47.8 degrees F) at 55.8 feet, and the dissolved oxygen concentration never decreased below 3.0 mg/L at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer in the water column was 45.9 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present for Lake Trout. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was never reached because the dissolved oxygen remained above 3.0 mg/L throughout the sampled depths. The temperature at the bottom of the lake was 7.3 degrees C (45.1 degrees F). Instances in which the dissolved oxygen does not reach below 3.0 mg/L and temperature remains below 8.8 degrees C, indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Lake Trout at the time of the survey. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 1955-2023 during the late summer thermal stress period indicated suitable oxythermal habitat. Data were also collected outside the thermal maximum period in 1986-2020, this data indicated suitable conditions during those sampling periods. The least favorable oxythermal habitat conditions were recorded in 1977, outside the peak summer stress period, when the suitable habitat layer thickness was 10.4 feet. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Lake Trout are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

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

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

Clearwater has a maximum depth of 130 feet and a mean depth of 42 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clearwater is from 2020.

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