Clear Lake Fishing near Jefferson, Texas

• Overview

  Clear Lake falls in Harrison County, part of Texas. Height above sea level is 197 feet. Surface area is around 233 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Few waters listed in Harrison County are bigger. Supplies mean a trip to Jefferson, 8.3 miles off. Marshall is 15 miles and Vivian 17 miles. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists cypress darter, bluegill and redfin pickerel. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. Take Clear Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 82°F and January about 44°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. It holds true on Clear Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Littletons Lake sits 0.9 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Clear Lake if anything is unclear.