Clearwater Lake Fishing near Montello, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Marquette County in Wisconsin is where Clearwater Lake sits. Country round the bank runs to mixed forest. The water measures roughly 17 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is low-lying compared with other Wisconsin water we list. Montello lies 3.3 miles from the water. Then Westfield, 7.5 miles, and Dakota, 12 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Clearwater Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Fish documented in Marquette County include brown trout, bluegill, rainbow trout, largemouth bass and northern pike. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Fish Clearwater Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 15°F in January up to 71°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually goes in early April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early April until roughly early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. That shapes the year on Clearwater Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. There is camping recorded roughly half a mile off. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Mud Lake, 0.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Clearwater Lake are worth checking on the day.