Clear

Clear Lake is a small (120 acres), moderately deep (30 feet maximum) natural environment lake located three miles southeast of the town of the same name. The lake received low priority for management because it has never had a public access. However, dramatic changes have occurred over the last score of years. Landowners report high water, an influx of carp, then an exodus of the same species and nearly a complete loss of aquatic vegetation. These changes seemed to take place in the early 1980's. A survey in 2009 showed submersed vegetation was rare though water clarity was high. It showed few sunfish or northern pike yet walleye were captured at 8.75/gill net. A 1946 DNR report lists cattail, large-leaf pondweed, muskgrass, buttercup, coontail, milfoil, and large areas of bulrush. The 1954 and 1978 surveys reported similar types and amounts of aquatic vegetation. In 2009, only curlyleaf pondweed was widespread, found on 70% of vegetation transects. All species of aquatic plants were rare. Narrow-leaf, sago, large-leaf, straight-leaf, Illinois, and bushy pondweed were all observed in fewer than 20% of vegetation transects. A single water sample was collected on 7/27/09 and analyzed by the MDA. Results were: total phosphorous, 0.012 ppm; chlorophyll a, 3.6. A single secchi disc depth in early July was 11 feet. Carlson TSI values were 40, 43 and 43, consistent with meso-trophic conditions. Previous surveys conducted in 1954 and 1978 showed high numbers of bullheads and bluegills, and good numbers of other sunfish and northern pike. For example, the 1978 survey showed 147 bluegill/trap net while the 2009 survey caught bluegill at a rate of 0.50/trap net. Walleye in Clear Lake apparently reproduce naturally since no stocking occurs. Walleye ranged in length from 8 - 24 inches with an average length of 15 inches. Four age groups of walleye were sampled. All but two fish were from the 2003 and 2007 year classes. The success of spawning walleye is likely the result of suitable substrate and low numbers of panfish that might otherwise prey on young walleye fry. Growth of walleye was fast and walleye grew to a length of 14 inches in two years. The catch of northern pike (1.5/gill net) was below the first quartile and the catch of black crappie was within the range of expected values. The catch of yellow perch (6.75/gill) was within the range of expected values for lake class 29. Yellow perch grew to eight inches by age 4. Daytime electrofishing on May 21st, 2009 produced a catch per unit of effort of 20 fish/hour. Largemouth bass averaged 14.0 inches in length with a maximum of 20 inches.

Clear Lake is a small, 120-acre, moderately deep, natural environment lake located three miles southeast of the town of the same name, Clear Lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet. The lake received low priority for management because there is no public access. An excellent Bluegill population was present in both size and numbers. Black Crappie abundance was low with only two fish sampled. Northern Pike numbers were good. Largemouth Bass were also reported in good numbers. One Walleye was sampled and was in the expected range of values for the lake class. Very high numbers of Brown Bullhead were sampled. Other species sampled included: Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Black Crappie, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, and Green Sunfish in Clear. 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 Clear. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Clear has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clear is from 2009. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.