Clear

Clear Lake is a 652-acre lake located within the town of Waseca in Waseca County. Two DNR-maintained public accesses are available. One is located off Clear Lake Drive on the north side and the other just off MN Highway 14 on the southeast side of the lake. The maximum depth is 34 feet with approximately 69% of the lake less than 15 feet deep. The lake has generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. Clear Lake is designated as an infested water body due to the establishment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking 896 pounds of Walleye fingerlings in even years and 112,000 Northern Pike fry in odd years. A catch and release regulation on Largemouth Bass has been in place since 1994. Recently, Clear Lake has been designated as a Tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2024 survey was completed the week of 5 August 2024 using eight gill nets, 12 trap nets, and 55 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured. Bluegill were the most sampled fish in 2024. A total of 452 were caught in gill nets for a catch rate of 56.5/net. Bluegill sampled in gill nets ranged from 5.4 to 8.4 inches with an average of 6.9 inches. A total of 697 Bluegill were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 58.1/net. Bluegill catch rates in trap nets have rebounded in recent years after averaging 19.8/net from 2015 to 2021. Before 2010 Bluegill catch rates averaged 64.0/net. Bluegill sampled in trap nets ranged from 4.2 to 8.5 inches with a mean of 7.1 inches. Bluegills from both gears were age-3 to age-6 with four year classes present. Black Crappie were abundant in gill nets in 2024. A total of 285 were caught for a catch rate of 35.6/net. High Black Crappie catch rates have occurred frequently with a mean catch rate of 79.7/net since 1993. Black Crappie ranged from 4.8 to 10.0 inches with a mean of 8.3 inches. Black Crappie were aged using scales and otoliths. Black Crappie ranged from age-1 to age-6 with six year classes present. A total of 21 Largemouth Bass were sampled with boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 22.7/hour, which was well below the historical average of 87.0/hour. The low catch rate was likely due to clear water and abundant filamentous algae at the time of electrofishing. Largemouth Bass ranged from 5.7 to 19.0 inches and averaged 10.8 inches. An additional 14 fish ranging from 10.6 to 20.3 inches were sampled with the net gears. Largemouth Bass were aged using scales and otoliths. Largemouth Bass ranged from age-1 to age-15 with 10 year classes present. Largemouth Bass age-2 through age-4 made up 60% of the sample. Anglers report high catch rates of good sized Largemouth Bass. The no-kill regulation protects an abundant Largemouth Bass population in a lake where suitable habitat is somewhat limited. A total of 8 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets in 2024 for a catch rate of 1.0/net. Northern Pike catch rates have varied from 0.4/net to 5.4/net with a mean of 2.7/net since 1993. Northern Pike ranged from 22.7 to 32.4 inches with a mean of 26.5 inches and 75% exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. Walleye numbers decreased in 2024 from 2021 (11.3/net) which was the highest on record. A total of 33 Walleye were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 4.1/net in 2024. Walleye in 2024 ranged from 14.9 to 26.3 inches with an average length of 19.1 inches. Walleye were aged using scales and otoliths and ranged from age-3 to age-6 with three year classes present. The strongest year classes were 2019 and 2021, which coincide with fingerling stocking events. Walleye growth in 2021 was fast with fish reaching 15.0 inches at three years of age. The Clear Lake Walleye population remains strong. Yellow Bullheads have become more common in Clear Lake over the past 20 years or so and were well represented in the 2024 gill net sample. Yellow Bullheads were the second most sampled fish in gill nets in 2024. A total of 395 Yellow Bullheads were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 49.4/net. Yellow Bullheads sampled were very large, ranging from 8.7 to 15.8 inches and averaging 13.2 inches in length. A total of 70 Black Bullheads were sampled for a catch rate of 8.8/net. Black Bullheads ranged in size from 6.5 to 15.6 inches and averaged 11.3 inches. Anyone looking to target bullheads in the area should consider Clear Lake for a good chance of catching some nice fish. Healthy, stable lakes favor Yellow Bullheads over Black Bullheads so their prevalence should be considered favorable to Clear Lake management. Common Carp remained rare in 2024. No Common Carp were sampled with gill nets and 6 were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 0.5/net. Common Carp numbers remained low enough to be considered insignificant to game fish management. Other species sampled in 2024 include Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. Water quality measurements included water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and secchi depth. Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of 3.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 5.5 ppm and 77.7 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.1 ppm and 76.8 degrees Fahrenheit at 26 feet. A thermocline was detected at 16 feet. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Clear Lake is a 652-acre lake located within the town of Waseca in Waseca County. Two DNR-maintained public accesses are available. One is located off Clear Lake Drive on the north side and the other just off MN Highway 14 on the southeast side of the lake. The maximum depth is 34 feet with approximately 69% less than 15 feet deep. Clear Lake is considered eutrophic with generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. Clear Lake is designated as an infested water body due to the establishment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. Clear Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking 896 pounds of Walleye fingerlings in even years and 112,000 Northern Pike fry in odd years. Northern Pike fingerlings are also stocked in cooperation with the Minnesota Darkhouse and Angling Association using nearby Goose Lake as a source. A catch and release regulation on Largemouth Bass has been in place since 1994. Clear Lake has been designated as a Tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2021 survey was completed the week of 3 August 2021 using eight gill nets, 10 trap nets, and 75 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured. Black Crappie was the most sampled fish with gill nets in 2021. A total of 487 Black Crappie were caught for a catch rate of 60.9/net. High Black Crappie catch rates have occurred frequently since 1993 with a mean catch rate of 83.1/net. Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4.3 to 11.1 inches with a mean of 6.3 inches. Black Crappie ages ranged from age-1 to age-7 with seven year classes present. Over 70% of the sample were age-3 or younger. Black Crappie exhibited moderate growth. A total of 223 Bluegill were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 22.3/net. Catch rates have decreased significantly in recent years after averaging 64.0/net from 1993 to 2010 (n = 10). Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.1 to 9.3 inches with a mean of 5.5 inches. An additional 319 fish ranging from 3.8 to 7.9 inches were sampled with gill nets. Fish from both gears were age-1 to age-8 with six year classes present. Growth and size structure could be better but still represent a dramatic positive change in Clear Lake in recent years. A total of 129 Largemouth Bass were sampled with boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 87.8/hour, which was near the historical average of 87.2/hour. Largemouth Bass lengths ranged from 3.0 to 19.3 inches with a mean of 10.7 inches. An additional 15 fish ranging from 10.1 to 18.9 inches were sampled with the net gears. Largemouth Bass ranged from age-1 to age-18 with 12 year classes present. Largemouth Bass age-2 through age-4 made up 66% of the sample. The no-kill regulation protects an abundant Largemouth Bass population in a lake where suitable habitat is somewhat limited. A total of 20 Northern Pike were sampled in gill nets 2021 for a catch rate of 2.5/net. Northern Pike catch rates have varied from 0.4/net to 5.4/net with a mean of 2.8/net since 1993. Northern Pike ranged from 17.2 to 32.2 inches with an average of 24.2 inches in 2021 and 50% exceeded the legal minimum length limit of 24 inches. Northern Pike ranged from age-2 to age-6 with five year classes present. Most Northern Pike were age-2 or age-3. Growth was fast with Northern Pike reaching 24 inches by their third year of growth. The fast growing, moderately abundant population of Northern Pike in 2021 represents a good target for future management. Clear Lake is included in the Southern Zone Northern Pike regulations. Anglers are limited to 2 Northern Pike daily which must be at least 24 inches in length. Walleye numbers remained healthy in 2021. A total of 90 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 11.25/net. The 2021 catch rate was the highest on record. From 1993 to 2010 catch rates were low with an average of just 1.2/net. Walleye ranged from 12.0 to 25.0 inches with a mean of 17.3 inches in 2021. Walleye from 2 to 7 years old with four year classes present. The strongest year classes were 2018 and 2019. Walleye growth in 2021 was fast with fish reaching 16 inches in three years. The Clear Lake Walleye population remains strong. Yellow Perch were the second most sampled species in the gill nets in 2018. However, in 2021 only 9 were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 1.1/net. Yellow Perch ranged from 5.8 to 8.4 inches with an average of 7.1 inches. Yellow Perch ranged from 2 to 6 years old with five year classes present. Yellow Perch are an important species to the Clear Lake ecosystem, their low numbers are a concern that should be monitored. Black Bullhead were common in 2021. A total of 95 were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 11.9/net. Black Bullheads sampled were very large, averaging over 14 inches in length. Yellow Bullheads have become more common in Clear Lake over the past 20 years or so and were well represented in the 2021 gill net sample. A total of 273 Yellow Bullheads were sampled for a catch rate of 34.1/net. Yellow Bullheads ranged from 5.2 to 18.0 inches and averaged 11.3 inches. Healthy, stable lakes favor Yellow Bullheads over Black Bullheads so their prevalence should be considered favorable to Clear Lake management. Common Carp remained rare in 2021. No Common Carp were sampled with gill nets and 5 were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 0.5/net. Common Carp numbers remained low enough to be considered insignificant to game fish management. Other species sampled in 2021 include Golden Shiner and Pumpkinseed. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Clear Lake is a 652-acre lake located within the town of Waseca in Waseca County. Two DNR-maintained public accesses are available. One is located off Clear Lake Drive on the north side and the other just off MN Highway 14 on the southeast side of the lake. The maximum depth is 34 feet with approximately 69% of the area less than 15 feet deep. The lake is considered eutrophic with generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels. Clear Lake is designated as an infested water body due to the establishment of Eurasian Watermilfoil. The lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking 896 pounds of Walleye fingerlings in even years and 112,000 Northern Pike fry in odd years. Northern Pike fingerlings are also stocked in cooperation with the Minnesota Darkhouse and Angling Association using nearby Goose Lake as a source. A no-kill catch and release regulation on Largemouth Bass has been in place since 1994. To assess the Largemouth Bass population under the special regulation, annual targeted surveys have been completed using night-time boat electrofishing since 2015. A targeted survey is generally used for sampling a specific kind of fish or time of year (i.e. spawning season, fall season, etc.) unlike a standard survey which samples a wider range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (i.e. standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e. lake survey gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass). Results from this targeted survey should not be compared to results from standard surveys.The 2019 targeted survey was completed on May 30, 2019 using 73 minutes of boat electrofishing. Largemouth Bass were sampled at a rate of 188.4 per hour which was the second highest on record behind the 2017 survey (224.7/hour). Since 1998, catch rates have varied from 15.0/hour in 2003 to 224.7/hour in 2017 with an average catch rate of 92.1/hour. Lengths in 2019 ranged from 6.3 to 18.8 inches with an average of 11.5 inches. Size structure was good with over half the sample larger than 12 inches. Fish were aged using scales and ranged from 2 to 14 years old with 11 year classes present. Majority were 2 or 3 years old. Growth was slow with an average length of 11.0 inches at the four years old. Size structure has improved in three consecutive samples since 2017 and should offer great fishing for years to come.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Green Sunfish, and White 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 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clear is from 2024.

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