Clearwater

The Walleye population in Clearwater Lake has been sustained through fry stocking since 1998, with annual fry stocking conducted from 2014 through 2019. While fry stocking has been regularly implemented, fall electrofishing results have only exceeded the target catch rate of 25 young-of-year (YOY) Walleye per hour three times since standardized sampling began in 2014. That year, electrofishing stations were expanded and standardized across multiple basins, which may have reduced direct comparability to earlier results but provided a more representative measure of lake-wide recruitment. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 7, 2025. During this survey, 7 YOY Walleye were collected for a catch rate of 4.2/hour. YOY Walleye ranged from 7.6 to 9.0 inches and averaged 8.4 inches in length. One additional age 1+ Walleye (12.5 inches) was sampled for a catch rate of 0.6/hour. Although YOY Walleye were present in 2025, catch rates remained well below the 25 YOY/hour target and indicate fry survival continues to be weak. The most recent gill net assessment was completed from July 28-31, 2025. Sixteen standard gill nets were set and captured 26 Walleye for a catch rate of 1.6/net. This is below, the 2022 survey catch rate of 2.7/net and remains below the management goal of > 4/net. Walleye in the 2025 gill net sample ranged from 12.4 to 28.0 inches and averaged 20.4 inches in length, indicating that the population is dominated by older fish with limited evidence of any strong year classes. To help supplement the Walleye population, fingerlings were stocked in Clearwater Lake in the fall of 2019 (55,889 fish) and 2022 (42,168 fish). Fingerling stocking is expensive, time consuming, and subject to availability, so fry stocking every two years will continue with supplemental fingerling stocking taking place as needed if available. Given the low YOY electrofishing catch rates in 2024 and 2025, combined with gill net catches in 2022 and 2025 that were below lake management goals, continued fry stocking is warranted and additional fingerling stocking may be considered following future assessments if recruitment does not improve. Zebra mussels were found in the lake in 2015, and increased water clarity has been observed. Lower Walleye catch rates preceded zebra mussel infestation, so zebra mussels are probably not solely to blame for lower Walleye abundance. However, their continued expansion and associated increases in water clarity may negatively affect Walleye fry survival by reducing plankton availability and increasing predation risk on YOY Walleye. Ongoing monitoring of fry survival, water quality, and gill net catch rates will be important to evaluate long term trends and adjust stocking strategies as needed. Overall, the 2025 results demonstrate that while Walleye recruitment continues at low levels, post-stocking survival has likely been compromised by environmental changes, including those associated with zebra mussel proliferation. Coordinated long-term monitoring will be essential to determine whether these impacts persist and to ensure Walleye stocking strategies remain effective in maintaining Clearwater Lake's fishery.

Clearwater Lake is a 3,187-acre lake located two miles north of the City of Annandale and borders both Stearns and Wright counties. The lake is moderately productive and has a maximum depth of 73 feet. The watershed is large (101,623 acres) and consists primarily of cultivated crops (53%). The Secchi depth readings for the West and East basins were 3.5 and 10 feet, respectively. Additionally, the University of Minnesota has documented an 8-year average July Secchi depth of 6.6 feet in the West basin and 8.4 feet in the East basin. Dissolved oxygen supported fish in the West and East Basins down to 17 and 18 feet, respectively. There are two public access sites located on the West basin and private fee access located on the East basin. A targeted gill net survey was conducted in July 2025 to update information last collected in 2022. Anglers can expect quality fishing for Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and panfish. Clearwater Lake is infested with Eurasian watermilfoil, starry stonewort, and zebra mussels. Please remember to clean, drain, and dry. Walleye are the primary management species in the lake and are sustained through biennial fry stocking. Supplemental fingerling stocking also occurs as needed when available. Walleye numbers (1.6/net) were lower than both the 2022 survey (2.7/net) and the expected values for similar lakes. Walleye catches have ranged from 1.6-7.2/net with a historical average of 3.5/net. Sampled Walleye ranged in length from 12.4-28 inches, with an average length and weight of 20.4 inches and three pounds. Ninety-six percent of Walleye sampled were 15 inches or longer and 58% were 20 inches or longer. Walleye growth in Clearwater Lake is similar to other Sauk Rapids area lakes, as fish nearly reached 23 inches in length by age seven. Additionally, ten different year-classes were sampled, three of which occurred in years with no stocking, indicating that some natural reproduction occurs. Catch rates have been steadily declining since 1997. Increasing water clarity has led to abundant aquatic vegetation growth that may be more conducive for other species. Northern Pike numbers (11.2/net) were higher than the 2022 survey (6.8/net) and above the range of expected values for similar lakes. Pike catches have ranged from 4.9-15/net with a historical average of 10.6/net. Sampled pike ranged in length from 12.6-33.5 inches, with a mean length and weight of 23.3 inches and 2.9 pounds. Twenty-four percent of Northern Pike sampled were 26 inches or longer and 8% were 30 inches or longer. Gill net catches of Yellow Perch have historically been low, ranging from 0-4.8/net, with a historical average of 1.7/net. Despite poor gill net catches, Yellow Perch are routinely observed during fall young of the year (YOY) Walleye electrofishing. Fine mesh gill nets were used in 2019 to sample Yellow Perch and results described how perch reached sexual maturity at small sizes (<4 inches). A total of 16 Yellow Perch (1/net) were sampled in 2025 which is an increase from the 2022 survey (0.1/net). Yellow Perch are an essential forage species for larger predators such as Walleye, Northern Pike, and Largemouth Bass. The Black Crappie catch in 2025 (1.3/net) was lower than both the 2022 survey (1.7/net) and the historical average (2.9/net) but exceeded expected values for similar lakes. Sampled crappie ranged in length from 4.7-11.9 inches, with a mean length of 8.3 inches. Gill nets typically do not sample crappie well; spring trap net assessments better reflect the crappie population. Other species sampled include: Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Emerald Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

The Walleye population has been sustained through biennial fry stocking since 1998 with annual stocking taking place from 2014 - 2019; however, fall electrofishing results have only exceeded the target catch rate of 25 young-of-year (YOY)/hour three times since then. In 2014, electrofishing stations were standardized with sites being added so results since then may have been lower than if only the original stations were used. Night electrofishing was conducted on October 16, 2024, and no YOY Walleye were collected. Fry were last stocked in the spring of 2023, so the results of this survey indicate that fry stocking should be continued to help sustain the population. The catch rate of age-1 and older Walleye was 7.0/hour and lengths of those fish ranged from 12.1 to 26.4 inches. The most recent lake survey (2022) had a Walleye catch rate of 2.7/gill net, which is below the target goal of > 4/gill net. To help supplement the Walleye population, fingerlings were stocked in Clearwater Lake in the fall of 2019 (55,889 fish) and 2022 (42,168 fish). Fingerling stocking is expensive, time consuming, and subject to availability, so biennial fry stocking will continue with supplemental fingerling stocking taking place as needed. Zebra mussels were found in the lake in 2015, and increased water clarity has been observed. Lower Walleye catch rates preceded zebra mussel infestation, so zebra mussels are probably not to blame for lower Walleye abundance. However, their future effect on fry survival is uncertain and may be negative.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, and Walleye 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 73 feet and a mean depth of 19.2 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, starry stonewort, and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.