Clear

Clear Lake is a eutrophic, class 24 lake located in northern Washington County. The Lake is 424 acres in surface area, with 267 acres being littoral (63%). The lake's maximum depth is 28 feet. Primary management species are Walleye and Hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge, and the secondary management species is Northern Pike. The lake is located south of the City of Forest Lake, and much of the lakeshore is developed as single-family homes. Walleye fingerlings are stocked annually at a rate of 1.0 pound per littoral acre (267 pounds), and Tiger Muskellunge are stocked in odd-number years at a rate of 1.5 fish per littoral acre (401 fish). This report details the most recent gill net survey conducted in June of 2024. The previous gill net survey occurred in June of 2021. Walleye were sampled using gill nets at a rate of 9.0 fish per net. This catch rate exceeds the 75th percentile for the lake class and is the highest catch rate since 1990. Although the catch rate was relatively high, average size was below the 25th percentile for the lake class. Average length was just 14.9 inches, and Walleyes ranged from 7.6 to 20.7 inches in length. Walleye ages ranged from 2 to 6 years old, with 48% being age 2. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 7.8 fish per gill net. This catch rate exceeds the 75th percentile for the lake class and is slightly lower than the previous gill net survey (9.3 fish per net). Average size was below the 25th percentile for the lake class at just 18.5 inches in length. Northern Pike ranged from 12.9 to 27 inches in length, and only 29% of fish were at least 20 inches in length. Yellow Perch were sampled at a rate of 78.6 fish per gill net. This catch rate greatly exceeds the 75th percentile for the lake class and is the highest Yellow Perch catch rate ever recorded for Clear Lake. Catch rates have been variable among survey years but have consistently been above average for the lake class. Fish size was also above average for the weight class, with an average length of 6.9 inches. The largest fish was 9.3 inches in length. Sportfish including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie were also sampled in gill nets; however, summer gill nets are not the optimal sampling gear to reliably estimate abundance or size structure for these species. Other fish species were sampled including Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, and White Sucker. No Tiger Muskellunge were captured in this survey but they are better sampled using other survey methods.

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff assessed lakeshore habitat on Clear Lake on Sep 8th, 2022, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 35 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 65.5 (±3.7) out of 100 possible, which is moderate-low and below the statewide average score of 73. A low score indicates that sites are typically developed and have a lower than expected amount of natural habitat. Approximately 80% of the sites were developed with a mean score of 59.4 (±3.8), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.0 (±2.6).

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff assessed lakeshore habitat on Clear Lake on Sep 8th, 2022, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 35 survey sites evenly spaced 200 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 65.5 (±3.7) out of 100 possible, which is moderate-low and below the statewide average score of 73. A low score indicates that sites are typically developed and have a lower than expected amount of natural habitat. Approximately 80% of the sites were developed with a mean score of 59.4 (±3.8), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 90.0 (±2.6).

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Crappie, and Yellow Perch 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 28 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 and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.

Yes — the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations list 1 special rule for Clear, covering muskellunge and tiger muskellunge. Special regulations override the statewide limits; see the fishing regulations section on this page. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.