Clear Lake Fishing Guide, Martin County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Clear Lake lies in Martin County, in Minnesota. Height above sea level is 1,240 feet. It measures some 259 acres, and wind has room to build across it. For supplies, Sherburn is 9.4 miles out. Further out sit Fairmont (13 miles) and Estherville (13 miles). Near neighbours: Dutton Slough lies 0.6 miles on, Fish Lake about 1.1 miles, Susan Lake lies 1.9 miles on, Little Tuttle Lake about 2.6 miles and Okamanpeedan Lake lies 4.1 miles on. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Martin County names common carp, yellow perch, black bullhead and black crappie. The county list is broader than any single water. Take Clear Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 72°F in July and bottoms out near 13°F in January. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Break-up comes around early April, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice clears near early April and comes back about early December in a typical year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Clear Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. This sits inside Ceylon Wildlife Management Area, so read the reserve notices first. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Dutton Slough sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Clear Lake before loading the car.