Has Anyone Fished Clear Lake, Iowa

[BigBill]

Just wondering if anyone has ever fished here. I live in southern Minnesota and Clear Lake is a shorter drive than going up north (1.5 hours). I've heard a few people mention the lake but have not heard any direct news. Muskie season is open all year in Iowa so I thought this might be a late April or May destination. Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Bill

[Fish It]

Bill,


Clear Lake is the exact opposite of Clear. The Iowa DNR reoprts that the population is growing and becoming larger. The Heartland Chapter of Muskies Inc. Has a one day tournament on April 26th of this year that is a fundraiser/great time! A bunch on MN guys will be heading down! License is approx $40.00 for a non resident year long.

[Muskie Treats]

I had the opportunity to fish the Heartland Chapter event last year and have to say it was a blast! If you have the time do attend. During the first evening, the Iowa DNR came and spoke about the lake. They are starting to see some fish in the mid 40" range in their nets. It's going to be more of a smaller fish lake for the next couple years, but the upside is that the season doesn't close. There is zero natural reproduction there so they leave it open. It's a great April-May alternative to all of us in MN and WI. In the summer it receives a ton of rec traffic so plan to get off before the afternoon. Also the lake has a max depth of around 19'.

Try lures like tandem spinnerbaits, rattletraps and lil ernies. Anything loud is good. As far as locating fish, look for hard bottom areas, yellow bass schools, and the inlet/outlets.

[happy hooker]

This lake has plastic weed beds,,yeah you heard me "plastic" the dnr puts them in for cover

[BigBill]

Thanks for the info guys. So what do you do if you hook some of this plastic stuff?

[Fish It]

They ask that you replace it in the approx spot that it was hooked.


I hooked one last year... Looks like thick Round rubber approx 8' long with a weight at the bottom.