Clear

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Clear Lake was conducted on June 12-14, 2023, by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) 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 ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations, a 15-foot seine was used at one station, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at one station. Nearshore sampling captured seventeen species of fish including eight species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Logperch, Mimic Shiner, Rock Bass, and Smallmouth Bass) and one that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by IBI Program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured eleven species of fish, including one that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Rock Bass). Bluegill comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bluegill, Bowfin, and Hybrid Sunfish comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a June 2022 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based IBI (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, Least Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Green Sunfish). 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 indicate that the fish community in Clear Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that exceeds the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pine River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Temperature-dissolved oxygen profiles were also collected in the deepest basins on Clear Lake on August 1st, 2023, to evaluate the amount of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee. Based on the profile from the deepest basin, the top of the thermocline (i.e., the location in the water column with the sharpest transition from warm to cold water) occurred at approximately 20 feet. Dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L at 20.6 feet, which was within the thermocline, at the time of sampling. The temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to below 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 17.6°C (63.7°F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.5°C indicate that oxythermal conditions are favorable for Cisco. Dissolved oxygen concentrations near the thermocline indicate that oxythermal habitat was adequate for Cisco at limited depths at the time of sampling during the summer of 2023. However, low dissolved oxygen concentrations (i.e., less than 3 mg/L) below the thermocline and warm surface temperatures would likely limit available Cisco habitat within the water column to an extent. When inadequate oxythermal habitat is available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and therefore experience higher levels of stress.

Clear Lake is a 226 acre lake, with a maximum depth of 63', located five miles east of Jenkins in Crow Wing County. Clear is in the Pine River Watershed. A nearshore survey was conducted to assess the populations of both game and non-game fish species. Ten 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 on August 25, 2022, with all 10 stations sampled by backpack electrofishing. The 50' 1/8th inch seine was used at 3 stations and the 15' 1/8th inch seine was used at an additional 3 stations. Soft bottom and heavy vegetation prevented the use of seines at the other 4 sampling sites. Twelve species were sampled, including 6 species that are intolerant of habitat disturbance: Banded Killifish, Iowa Darter, Least Darter, Mottled Sculpin, Rock Bass and Smallmouth Bass. This nearshore survey will be used along with the gill net and trap net survey conducted on June 27-30, 2022, 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.

Walleye fingerlings are currently stocked into Clear Lake in odd numbered years (59 lbs/year). The catch rate was average, when compared to similar lakes, at 2.2/gill net. Average length was nice at 19.3" with Walleye up to 28.2" sampled. Northern Pike numbers were high at 9.8/gill net. Northern Pike had an average length of 20.4" with 19% in the protected 22"-26" slot. Northern Pike at least 26.0" made up 10% of the catch. Largemouth Bass had a spring electrofishing catch rate of 30.6/hr. Average length was 13.8" and 65% of the fish were 12.0" or larger. Largemouth Bass were sampled in high numbers in gill nets at 1.8/net. Average length was 14.8". Bluegill numbers were average for this type of lake (17.6/trap net). Average length was 6.2" with 28% of the fish measuring 7.0" or larger. Only 2 black crappie were captured during the survey. Tullibee (Cisco) and Yellow Perch are two important forage species that were caught in this survey. The Tullibee (Cisco) catch was high for this type of lake at 10.7/gill net, with an average length of 9.3". The presence of Tullibee, a sensitive species, in this relatively small lake is indicative of good water quality. The Yellow Perch catch was average (3.2/gill net), with an average length of 7.5". Zebra Mussels are present in Clear Lake. Before and after launching lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, Pumpkinseed, and Black Crappie 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 63 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clear is from 2023.

Yes — Clear has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.