Clear Lake
About Clear Lake
Clear Lake is a 574-acre lake near Glen in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 6 feet, and has roughly 5.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 15.5 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 14 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 24 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Clear Lake
- 574 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Glen
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 15.5 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 574 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Average depth
- 6 ft
- Shoreline
- 5.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 15.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 363 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 14
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 16
- Years of record
- 24
- Earliest
- March 25, 2000
- Latest
- May 10, 2013
- Most recent
- April 16, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Clear Lake
Compare Clear Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Clear Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Clear Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Clear Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Sugar Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen416 acres
1.7 miles away
Swamp Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen272 acres
2.1 miles away
Rabbit Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen212 acres
2.8 miles away
Long Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Glen435 acres
4.1 miles away
Section Twelve Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Rossburg170 acres
5.3 miles away
Dam Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin598 acres
5.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Glen. It covers 574 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake covers 574 acres with about 5.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet and its average depth is about 6 feet.
What fish can you catch at Clear Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Clear Lake?
Yes. Clear Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Clear Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Clear Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Clear Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Clear Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Clear Lake?
Yes. Daily limit 10.
When does the ice go out on Clear Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 24 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 25, 2000 and the latest is May 10, 2013.