Minnesota · Wright County
Clearwater Lake Fishing guide
Clearwater Lake is a 3,187-acre lake in Wright County, Minnesota, reaching 73 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 6 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 22 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.1per gill net19"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 67 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2025Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 26 fish
2025Lengths measured · 14 fish
2024Lengths measured · 30 fish
2023Largemouth bassPresent1per gill net14"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 31 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 15 fish
2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2022Lengths measured · 189 fish
2019Lengths measured · 174 fish
2014Northern pikeFair numbers9.1per gill net22"Typical33"Biggest
Lengths measured · 278 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 178 fish
2025Lengths measured · 100 fish
2022Lengths measured · 207 fish
2019Lengths measured · 255 fish
2014BluegillPresent8.5per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1668 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 142 fish
2025Lengths measured · 122 fish
2022Lengths measured · 1404 fish
2022Lengths measured · 598 fish
2019CrappiePresent1.5per gill net10"Typical14"Biggest
Lengths measured · 773 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 22 fish
2025Lengths measured · 25 fish
2022Lengths measured · 726 fish
2022Lengths measured · 19 fish
2019Yellow perchJust a few0.6per gill net5"Typical6"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 16 fish
2025Lengths measured · 2 fish
2022Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 2 fish
2019Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 6 fish
2014Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rock bassExcellent numbers4.8per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 147 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 36 fish
2025Lengths measured · 111 fish
2022Lengths measured · 53 fish
2019Lengths measured · 44 fish
2014Rates 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
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- 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 73 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.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find. On a lake that drops to 73 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Walleye | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28" | 33" | 16" |
| 2024 | 26" | — | — |
| 2023 | 26" | — | — |
| 2022 | 26" | 31" | 19" |
| 2021 | 22" | — | — |
| 2019 | 26" | 34" | 20" |
| 2018 | 24" | — | — |
| 2017 | 25" | — | — |
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:
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Topwater Popper
2.5–3" concave-face popper
Largemouth bass · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,499,278 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 42,168 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2019 | Walleye | 1,650,000 fry · 55,889 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,050,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 1,500,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 2,600,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
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.
Read the full DNR narrative
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.
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.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Clearwater Lake fishing reports → · Wright County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Clearwater Lake, Black Pool (trailer launch)
- Clearwater Lake, Bob's Bay (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Clearwater Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Bass Lake · 223 ac · 1.5 mi
- Grass Lake · 72 ac · 1.8 mi
- Otter Lake · 92 ac · 2 mi
- Augusta Lake · 187 ac · 2.1 mi
- Pleasant Lake · 597 ac · 2.2 mi
- Caroline Lake · 137 ac · 3.4 mi
- John Lake · 398 ac · 3.6 mi
- Cedar Lake · 790 ac · 4.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake reaches 73 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 19.2 ft; about 50% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake covers 3,187 acres with about 22.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Clearwater Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Clearwater Lake average 6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Clearwater Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Clearwater Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Clearwater Lake have a public access?
Yes. Clearwater Lake has 2 public access sites, including Clearwater Lake, Black Pool (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Clearwater Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2017.
When was Clearwater Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Clearwater Lake in 2025, the most recent of 22 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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