Clear
A 529-acre lake near Watkins in Meeker County — best known for bass and pike. Last surveyed 2021.
Fish Species (17)
Typical numbers · large fish
Electrofishing survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 46.2 · Electrofishing survey
Size from the Jul 2021 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 0.78 | 11.3" | 1.14 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 0.78 | 11.3" | 1.14 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 46.20 | 10.4" | 0.90 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 4.1 per gill net · typical 2–10.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 4.11 | 24.5" | 3.63 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 4.11 | 24.5" | 3.63 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 23.67 | 20.9" | 2.34 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 2.1 per gill net · typical 0.8–3.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 2.11 | 20.4" | 3.55 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 2.11 | 20.4" | 3.55 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 8.00 | 18.7" | 2.61 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 33.0 per gill net · typical 1.7–17.5 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 33.00 | 6.9" | 0.24 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 33.00 | 6.9" | 0.24 lbs |
| May 17, 2021 | 6.76 | 8.5" | 0.39 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 4.9 per trap net
Size from the Jul 2021 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 1.11 | 6.0" | 0.23 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 1.11 | 6.0" | 0.23 lbs |
| May 17, 2021 | 3.18 | 6.4" | 0.29 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 28.7 per gill net · typical 2–22.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 28.67 | 5.7" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 28.67 | 5.7" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 2.00 | 6.3" | 0.19 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 10.4 per trap net · typical 0.7–6.5 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2021 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 4.56 | 4.8" | 0.14 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 4.56 | 4.8" | 0.14 lbs |
| May 17, 2021 | 2.29 | 5.4" | 0.20 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.1 per trap net · typical 0.3–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5, 2017 | 1.11 | 4.3" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 1.11 | 4.3" | 0.09 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2013 | 0.11 | 4.0" | 0.07 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 88.3 per trap net · typical 3.5–57.1 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2021 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 57.67 | 5.4" | 0.16 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 57.67 | 5.4" | 0.16 lbs |
| May 17, 2021 | 62.94 | 6.0" | 0.21 lbs |
Typical numbers · small fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2013
Last surveyed 2013 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 1.6 per trap net · typical 0.4–14.4 for a lake like this
Size from the Jul 2021 survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 0.67 | 8.0" | 0.32 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 0.67 | 8.0" | 0.32 lbs |
| Jul 8, 2013 | 1.56 | 7.5" | 0.28 lbs |
Below-normal numbers
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1990
Last surveyed 1990 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per gill net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 1990 | 0.11 | - | 5.60 lbs |
| Jul 16, 1990 | 0.11 | - | 5.60 lbs |
| Jul 11, 1988 | 0.17 | - | 6.60 lbs |
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2003
Last surveyed 2003 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 0.11 per trap net
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 7, 2003 | 0.11 | 16.0" | 2.65 lbs |
| Jul 7, 2003 | 0.11 | 16.0" | 2.65 lbs |
Other species in this lake (5)
Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.
Above-normal numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1951
Last surveyed 1951 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 8.4 per trap net · typical 0.4–5.1 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 23, 1951 | 8.44 | - | 1.10 lbs |
| Jul 23, 1951 | 8.44 | - | 1.10 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · small fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 8.9 per gill net · typical 0.6–2.8 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 8.89 | 5.7" | 0.07 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 8.89 | 5.7" | 0.07 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 1.33 | 5.3" | 0.06 lbs |
Above-normal numbers · average-size fish
Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 2021
Catch rate: 2.7 per gill net · typical 0.5–2.3 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 2.67 | 16.1" | 2.03 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 2.67 | 16.1" | 2.03 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 4.67 | 15.6" | 2.12 lbs |
Typical numbers · large fish
Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 2017
Last surveyed 2017 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.2 per trap net · typical 1.5–58 for a lake like this
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 6, 2021 | 32.89 | 11.9" | 1.00 lbs |
| Jul 6, 2021 | 32.89 | 11.9" | 1.00 lbs |
| Jul 5, 2017 | 2.22 | 9.2" | 1.08 lbs |
Seining survey · surveyed Jul 2007
Last surveyed 2007 — treat with caution
Catch rate: 2.3 · Seining survey
Survey History
| Date | Catch Rate | Avg Length | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 9, 2007 | 2.25 | - | - |
| Jul 9, 2007 | 2.25 | - | - |
Biologist Notes
September 15, 2023A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye a…
A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. No YOY were sampled. No YOY have been sampled in the nine total fall nighttime surveys. Walleye fry were stocked in 2023. No yearlings were sampled either. Only in 2021 have yearling Walleye been sampled (3.0 fish/hr). Electrofishing surveys do not seem to be effective at indexing YOY or yearling Walleye year class strength at Clear Lake; gill nets may be the best way to representatively sample walleye year classes when fish are large enough to be caught.
September 15, 2023A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye a…
A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. No YOY were sampled. No YOY have been sampled in the nine total fall nighttime surveys. Walleye fry were stocked in 2023. No yearlings were sampled either. Only in 2021 have yearling Walleye been sampled (3.0 fish/hr). Electrofishing surveys do not seem to be effective at indexing YOY or yearling Walleye year class strength at Clear Lake; gill nets may be the best way to representatively sample walleye year classes when fish are large enough to be caught.
September 15, 2023A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye a…
A fall nighttime electrofishing survey was conducted on Clear Lake on September 15th, 2023, to evaluate young of the year (YOY) and yearling Walleye abundance. No YOY were sampled. No YOY have been sampled in the nine total fall nighttime surveys. Walleye fry were stocked in 2023. No yearlings were sampled either. Only in 2021 have yearling Walleye been sampled (3.0 fish/hr). Electrofishing surveys do not seem to be effective at indexing YOY or yearling Walleye year class strength at Clear Lake; gill nets may be the best way to representatively sample walleye year classes when fish are large enough to be caught.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Clear?
Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish in Clear. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.
Is there public access at Clear?
Minnesota DNR records list public access for Clear. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.
How deep is Clear?
Clear has a maximum depth of 18 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.
When were the main sport fish in Clear last surveyed?
The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Clear is from 2021.
Does Clear have any invasive species?
Yes — Clear has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.
More lakes in Meeker County
View all69 acres
White Crappie · Black Crappie · Bluegill
154 acres
Channel Catfish · Walleye · Northern Pike
266 acres
Black Crappie · Northern Pike · Walleye
274 acres
Yellow Perch · Northern Pike · Green Sunfish
238 acres
Walleye · Northern Pike · Largemouth Bass
684 acres
Channel Catfish · Black Crappie · Walleye
Lake Details
- Surface Area
- 529.07 acres
- Max Depth
- 18 ft
- Mean Depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.59 mi
- Public Access
- Yes
Invasive Species Alert
- Eurasian watermilfoil
Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to prevent spread.
Location
45.2771°N, 94.4450°W
Depth contours: Minnesota DNR, digitized from lake surveys of varying vintage. Water levels change — verify on the water.
Get Directions