Minnesota · Crow Wing County
Clearwater Lake Fishing guide
Clearwater Lake is a 906-acre lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, reaching 54 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 13 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 13 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2023Good numbers4.8per gill net13"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 100 fish
2025Lengths measured · 24 fish
2022Lengths measured · 87 fish
2019Lengths measured · 47 fish
2016Largemouth bassFair numbers21.9per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 136 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 86 fish
2025Lengths measured · 50 fish
2022Lengths measured · 124 fish
2019Lengths measured · 116 fish
2016Smallmouth bassOne of the best around89.2per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 493 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 298 fish
2025Lengths measured · 195 fish
2022Lengths measured · 251 fish
2019Lengths measured · 103 fish
2016Northern pikeJust a few4.7per gill net23"Typical31"Biggest
Lengths measured · 62 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 62 fish
2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2019Lengths measured · 61 fish
2013Lengths measured · 55 fish
2007BluegillJust a few7.8per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 88 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 88 fish
2025Lengths measured · 113 fish
2019Lengths measured · 50 fish
2013Lengths measured · 124 fish
2007CrappieJust a few2.8per trap net8"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 41 fish
2025Lengths measured · 11 fish
2019Lengths measured · 17 fish
2013Lengths measured · 58 fish
2007Rock bassExcellent numbers1.8per trap net8"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 56 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 56 fish
2025Lengths measured · 40 fish
2019Lengths measured · 39 fish
2013Lengths measured · 30 fish
2007Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Clearwater Lake through the year
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 13 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 54 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 13 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 54 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Smallmouth bass | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 20" | 30" | 18" |
| 2022 | 19" | 30" | 17" |
| 2019 | 19" | 27" | 17" |
| 2016 | 19" | 24" | 16" |
| 2013 | 19" | 28" | 17" |
| 2010 | 18" | 27" | 17" |
| 2007 | 18" | 25" | 17" |
| 2001 | 18" | 26" | 14" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Walleye | 5,292 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 4,140 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 347 fingerlings · 1,154 yearlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Clearwater Lake is a 905-acre lake near the city of Deerwood in Crow Wing County. The public access is located 4 miles south of Deerwood on Crow Wing County Road 8. Smallmouth Bass is the primary management species. Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye and Black Crappie are secondary management species. A standard survey using gill nets, trap nets, and electrofishing was conducted in August 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information.
Clearwater Lake is a destination lake in the Brainerd area for Smallmouth Bass anglers. Smallmouth Bass had the second highest recorded gill net catch (6.6 per net), and the second highest recorded electrofishing catch for the lake (105.9 per hour). Smallmouth Bass ranged in length from 3.4 to 20.0 inches with the average length of 12.5 inches for all three gears combined. Growth was average when compared to area lakes with fish averaging 12.4 inches at age 4.
Read the full DNR narrative
The Largemouth Bass electrofishing catch in 2025 (25.2 per hour) was the lowest recorded for the lake. Fish ranged in length from 5.2 to 17.8 inches with an average length of 12.3 inches.
Northern Pike numbers (4.7 per net) are up from the previous survey with fish up to 30.0 inches captured. Anglers should have opportunities to harvest fish with 36 percent of the fish below the 22-to-26-inch protected slot, as well as a shot at a trophy with 23 percent of the fish above the slot. Releasing larger Pike is encouraged to help maintain the quality size.
Walleye gill net numbers (4.8 per net) were up from the previous survey and ranged in length from 12.4 to 30.0 inches with 14 percent of the fish 20 inches or larger. Growth was good with fish averaging 16.2 inches at age 3. Walleye fingerlings are stocked into Clearwater Lake (252 lbs.) every third year since 1998 and last stocked in 2023.
Black Crappie numbers are up from previous surveys, with 61 percent at least 8 inches in length and 15 percent measuring 10 inches or larger, suggesting angling opportunities for eater sized fish.
Bluegills are present but the size structure may turn anglers away. Bluegill numbers (7.8 per trap net) were down when compared to the previous survey. Only 18 percent measured at least 7 inches, and 2 percent were over 8 inches.
Yellow Perch numbers are the lowest recorded catch for the lake (0.3 per net) with 25 percent measuring 8 inches. Most are too small to be of interest for anglers although Yellow Perch are an important prey species for gamefish.
Other species sampled in the latest survey include Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Tullibee (Cisco), White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Clearwater Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Clearwater Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Clearwater Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Clearwater Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Crooked Lake · 463 ac · 1.8 mi
- Nokay Lake · 704 ac · 2.7 mi
- Bay Lake · 2,330 ac · 2.7 mi
- Hanks Lake · 165 ac · 2.8 mi
- Portage Lake · 287 ac · 3 mi
- Lookout Lake · 237 ac · 3.5 mi
- Shirt Lake · 231 ac · 4.7 mi
- Partridge Lake · 188 ac · 4.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake reaches 54 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 24 ft; about 28% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake covers 906 acres with about 8.5 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Clearwater Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Clearwater Lake average 13 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Clearwater Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Clearwater Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does Clearwater Lake have a public access?
Yes. Clearwater Lake has one public access site: Clearwater Lake (trailer launch).
How big do smallmouth bass get in Clearwater Lake?
The biggest smallmouth bass measured in recent DNR surveys taped 20"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2001.
When was Clearwater Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Clearwater Lake in 2025, the most recent of 13 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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