Clearwater Lake
About Clearwater Lake
Clearwater Lake is a 1,344-acre lake near Grand Marais in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 130 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 42 feet, and has roughly 18.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 27.3 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 6 fish species here, including smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service. Clearwater Lake #6 and Clearwater Lake #5 are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around May 5, based on 29 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Clearwater Lake
- 1,344 acres, up to 130 feet deep, near Grand Marais
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: smallmouth bass, yellow perch, lake trout, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 27.3 feet — very clear
- Camping close to the water at Clearwater Lake #6 and Clearwater Lake #5
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,344 acres
- Max depth
- 130 ft
- Average depth
- 42 ft
- Shoreline
- 18.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 27.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 260 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Camping: Clearwater Lake #6, Clearwater Lake #5, and Clearwater Lake #3
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 6
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- May 5
- Years of record
- 29
- Earliest
- April 3, 2012
- Latest
- May 20, 2014
- Most recent
- April 26, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Clearwater Lake #6, Clearwater Lake #5, Clearwater Lake #3, and Clearwater Lake #4 are mapped on or near Clearwater Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Clearwater Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Caribou Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais462 acres
0.9 miles away
Watap Lake
36 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Maple Hill199 acres
1.4 miles away
Moon Lake
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais148 acres
1.6 miles away
Alder Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais529 acres
2.7 miles away
Crocodile Lake
37 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais295 acres
3.1 miles away
East Bearskin Lake
77 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais593 acres
3.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Grand Marais. It covers 1,344 acres and reaches 130 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Clearwater Lake?
Clearwater Lake covers 1,344 acres with about 18.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 130 feet and its average depth is about 42 feet.
What fish can you catch at Clearwater Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Clearwater Lake?
Yes. Clearwater Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the US Forest Service. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Clearwater Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Clearwater 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 Clearwater Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Clearwater Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Clearwater Lake?
The median ice-out date is May 5, from 29 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 3, 2012 and the latest is May 20, 2014.
Can you camp at Clearwater Lake?
Yes. Clearwater Lake #6, Clearwater Lake #5, and Clearwater Lake #3 are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.