Clear Lake in Peterborough County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Clear Lake falls in Peterborough County, part of Ontario. The water sits 232 metres up. Surface area runs to roughly 6.42 sq km, so plan for one area rather than the whole. On our Peterborough County list it sits near the top for size. The nearest place of any size is Lakefield, 11 km away. Norwood is 22 km away, with Peterborough at 26 km. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Reported across Peterborough County: rock bass, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, muskellunge and bluegill. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. At Clear Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about -9°C in January to roughly 20°C in July. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid April. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near early December in autumn. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Clear Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The nearest car park we can see is 630 m out, so expect a walk with your gear. Fishing from a pier is possible 460 m away. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Fairy Lake sits 4.2 km off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Clear Lake locally before you travel.