Clearwater

Clearwater Lake is a 905-acre lake near the city of Deerwood in Crow Wing County. The public access is located 4 miles south of Deerwood on Crow Wing County Road 8. Smallmouth Bass is the primary management species. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Black Crappie are secondary management species. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing was conducted in August 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. Clearwater Lake is a destination lake in the Brainerd area for Smallmouth Bass anglers. Smallmouth Bass had the second highest recorded gill net catch (6.6 per net), and the second highest recorded electrofishing catch for the lake (105.9 per hour). Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 3.4 to 20.0 inches with the average length of 12.5 inches for all three gears combined. Growth was average when compared to area lakes with fish averaging 12.4 inches at age 4. The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch in 2025 (25.2 per hour) was the lowest recorded for the lake. Fish ranged in length from 5.2 to 17.8 inches with an average length of 12.3 inches. Northern Pike numbers (4.7 per net) are up from the previous survey with fish up to 30.0 inches captured. Anglers should have opportunities to harvest fish with 36 percent of the fish below the 22-to-26-inch protected slot, as well as a shot at a trophy with 23 percent of the fish above the slot. Releasing larger Pike is encouraged to help maintain the quality size. Walleye gill net numbers (4.8 per net) were up from the previous survey and ranged in length from 12.4 to 30.0 inches with 14 percent of the fish 20 inches or larger. Growth was good with fish averaging 16.2 inches at age 3. Walleye fingerlings are stocked into Clearwater Lake (252 lbs.) every third year since 1998 and last stocked in 2023. Black Crappie numbers are up from previous surveys, with 61 percent at least 8 inches in length and 15 percent measuring 10 inches or larger, suggesting angling opportunities for eater sized fish. Bluegills are present but the size structure may turn anglers away. Bluegill numbers (7.8 per trap net) were down when compared to the previous survey. Only 18 percent measured at least 7 inches, and 2 percent were over 8 inches. Yellow Perch numbers are the lowest recorded catch for the lake (0.3 per net) with 25 percent measuring 8 inches. Most are too small to be of interest for anglers although Yellow Perch are an important prey species for gamefish. Other species sampled in the latest survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Clearwater Lake is an 880 acre lake located 4 miles south of Deerwood, MN in Crow Wing County. Clearwater is in the Mississippi River-Brainerd Watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Fourteen 100' long sampling stations were evenly spaced around the lakeshore. Each station was then sampled by backpack electrofishing, and if conditions allowed with a 15' or 50' 1/8th inch seine. The survey took place August 21-22, 2024, with all 14 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' seine was used at 4 stations and the 15' seine was used at 6 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other sampling sites. Twenty species were sampled, including seven species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey collected in 2025 to calculate a Fish-Based Index of Biotic Integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health by the types of fish species present and comparing it to what is expected for this type of lake.

Clearwater Lake is the reference lake for the 12" maximum length regulation on Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass on Hubert Lake. A night electrofishing survey was conducted on 26 May 2022 to sample the bass population. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 31.6/hr of run time, the lowest rate to date. Previous catch rates have ranged from 44.9/hr (2013) to 105.0/hr (2010). Average length was 13.3", with 48% at least 15.0" in length. Smallmouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 123.2/hr of run time, the highest catch rate to date. Previous catches have ranged from 10.0/hr (2007) to 71.9/hr (2016). Average length was 11.7", with 24% at least 14.0" in length.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, and Largemouth Bass 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 54 feet and a mean depth of 24 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Clearwater has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.