By Larry Anderson
Clearwater Lake, located in Wright and Stearns counties in central Minnesota, is one of the premier largemouth bass lakes in the state. The lake is about 3,158 acres, has water clarity that is more than 5 feet deep, and is full of underwater structure. In addition to its largemouth bass fishing, Clearwater Lake also is known as a walleye, northern pike and crappie spot. The lake is near a metro area and its shoreline is heavily developed, yet its structure and abundant vegetation provide plenty of places for anglers to target.
Largemouth bass
Clearwater Lake is home to one of the premier bass fisheries in Minnesota. As a result, tournaments often are held on the lake. Bulrush is the most abundant emergent vegetation in the lake, and it holds bass for the majority of the fishing season. Dragging spinnerbaits through the bulrushes, or pitching jigs into them, will produce bass. For bigger bass, target the vast submerged vegetation beds in the lake. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits retrieved along the edges of these weed beds will produce bass, but tossing jigs and pigs or Texas-rigged plastic worms into the weed beds--especially around drop-offs or areas where the bottom composition changes--can be especially effective. Make sure you have stout fishing gear if you decide to target bass in these areas.
Walleyes
Walleyes in Clearwater Lake are found in traditional walleye spots--along drop-offs, reef edges, and points. Find hard-bottomed areas (sand or rocks) and drag a live-bait rig or cast or vertically jig a leadhead jig tipped with live bait. Walleyes often suspend in open water off structure during the day, where you can target them with crankbaits, but they move back on to structure under low-light conditions to feed.
Crappies
As soon as the water begins to warm after ice-out, crappies will move into shallow areas, often around bulrushes. Look for these fish on warm, calm spring days. Cast a bobber and minnow to them and wait for a fish to strike. By the time summer rolls around, crappies will have vacated the shallow water and gone to deeper water. Check the open-water areas around flats and reefs for large schools of fish. As in the spring, a minnow presented under a bobber is the best way to target these fish.
Docks
According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 80 percent of the shoreline of Clearwater Lake is developed. That often means there are docks, which, though not natural habitat, provide good cover for species such as largemouth bass, crappies, and bluegills. Cast jigs or worms underneath them for bass or throw bobbers and minnows around docks for panfish. The best docks are those that have vegetation around them and that are to a drop-off.
Night fishing
Given its proximity to a major metro area, its size and the abundance of cabins and homes on the lake, Clearwater Lake can be a busy place during the day. As a result, anglers who fish after dark may have more success.
About the Author:
Larry Anderson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has covered a wide variety of topics, from golf and baseball to hunting and fishing. His work has appeared in numerous print and online publications, including "Fargo Forum" newspaper. Anderson holds a Bachelor of Arts in print journalism from Concordia College.
