Clear Lake fishing

Clear Lake fishing lists Bluegill, Crappie, and Yellow Bass on a natural lake, outside the stocking reports. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Bluegill and dawn, dusk, and night for Crappie.

Illustration, not a photo of this lake
Last stocked
Not in these reports
Plants on record
0
Species recorded
3
Surface acres
3,684

Fish at Clear Lake

0 stocked · 3 confirmed present

Yellow Bass Confirmed present

DNR's 2026 Fish Iowa summary lists excellent opportunities for yellow bass along with crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

How to fish it

DNR lists excellent yellow bass opportunity. An August 2026 species report noted anglers catching mostly 7- to 8-inch fish. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Yellow Bass species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk

Best: dawn, day, dusk

DNR summary lists excellent bluegill opportunity; September 2026 species reports rated bluegill fair. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

How to fish it

DNR summary lists excellent bluegill fishing among Clear Lake's panfish opportunities. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Bluegill species guide
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night

Best: dawn, dusk, night

DNR summary lists excellent crappie opportunity; September 2026 species reports rated black crappie fair. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Black Crappie species guide

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Clear Lake, IA
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping, cleaning station, dock

Iowa DNR Fish Iowa lists hard-surface boat ramps, a fishing jetty, accessible pier, fish cleaning station, camping, and boat rental. Management notes name McIntosh Woods State Park ramps (replaced 2017) and Ventura Access ramp extensions.

Other places to fish at Clear Lake

McIntosh Woods State Park ramps

DNR management notes say parks replaced all three boat ramps at McIntosh Woods State Park in 2017; earlier work extended ramps 12 feet with concrete mats. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Ventura Access and Ventura Grade jetty

DNR notes 2012 ramp extensions at Ventura Access and a 2010 jetty on Ventura Grade for angler access (and a future carp capture area). (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

Accessible pier and fishing jetty

Fish Iowa amenities list both a fishing jetty and an accessible pier among Clear Lake shore-access features. (programs.iowadnr.gov, accessed September 29, 2026)

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About Clear Lake

Clear Lake covers about 3,684 acres in Cerro Gordo County. Walleye must fall in a 17-22 inch protected slot per Iowa DNR's 2026 Fish Iowa summary. Yellow bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and muskellunge are also key targets. Hard ramps, a fishing jetty, accessible pier, and fish cleaning station help anglers.

Nearest lakes

North Prairie Lake 65.1 mi last stocked April 25, 2026 Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake 74.7 mi no stocking on record Sand Lake 79.3 mi last stocked April 24, 2026 West Okoboji Lake 89.5 mi no stocking on record Terra Lake 102.9 mi last stocked March 16, 2026

Public land at Clear Lake

Clear Lake is inside Clear Lake State Park (Iowa).

Boundaries from Public Lands DB, part of the same network.

Common questions

What fish are at Clear Lake?

Yellow Bass (DNR's 2026 Fish Iowa summary lists excellent opportunities for yellow bass along with crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish), Bluegill (DNR summary lists excellent bluegill opportunity; September 2026 species reports rated bluegill fair), and Black Crappie (DNR summary lists excellent crappie opportunity; September 2026 species reports rated black crappie fair) are recorded here outside the stocking reports.

How do you get on Clear Lake?

Shore fishing is available, there is a boat ramp, and it is ADA accessible. The nearest town is Clear Lake, IA. Facilities include restrooms, camping, cleaning station, and dock. Iowa DNR Fish Iowa lists hard-surface boat ramps, a fishing jetty, accessible pier, fish cleaning station, camping, and boat rental. Management notes name McIntosh Woods State Park ramps (replaced 2017) and Ventura Access ramp extensions.

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