Clearwater

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 42.7 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 26.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 29.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.4 degrees C (59.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginally suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey as the available habitat layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates unsuitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 42.7 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 26.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 29.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.4 degrees C (59.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginally suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey as the available habitat layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates unsuitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Clearwater Lake on July 29th, 2025, to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Lake Whitefish, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. During the summer, Lake Whitefish require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on the profile from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth 42.7 feet), the water temperature decreased below 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) at 26.8 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 29.5 feet at the time of sampling. The thickness of this layer of water in the water column was 2.7 feet, indicating that oxythermal habitat was present but marginal for Lake Whitefish. Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 15.4 degrees C (59.7 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 17.2 degrees C (63.0 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were marginally suitable for Lake Whitefish at the time of the survey as the available habitat layer was confined to less than 3 feet of suitable habitat. Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the late summer period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 2024 indicates unsuitable oxythermal habitat. When adequate oxythermal habitat is unavailable, Lake Whitefish are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike and Yellow Perch in Clearwater. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Clearwater. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Clearwater has a maximum depth of 46 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clearwater is from 1977. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.