Clear Lake near Lac du Flambeau: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Vilas County in Wisconsin is where Clear Lake sits. This is lake country bush ground. Roughly 854 acres of surface: treat each bay as a water in its own right. Size puts it in the front rank of our Vilas County list. Lac du Flambeau lies 15 miles from the water. Further out sit Eagle River (19 miles) and Rhinelander (19 miles). The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Clear Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Vilas County records list bluegill, yellow perch, walleye, largemouth bass and rock bass among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. At Clear Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 9°F in January up to 66°F in July. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Look for the thaw near mid April; the fishing lifts straight after. Expect the water usable from around mid April until roughly late November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Clear Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is a launch about 0.9 miles from the bank. The car has to stay 0.9 miles away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Inkpot Lake, 0.5 miles out. Check the position at Clear Lake before loading the car.