---
type: lake
name: "Clear Lake"
county: "Meeker"
nearest_town: "Watkins"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 529
max_depth_ft: 18
latitude: 45.27707
longitude: -94.445
lake_score: 50
dnr_lake_id: "47009500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/clear-lake
---

# Clear Lake

Lake in Meeker County, Minnesota, near Watkins

- **Surface Area**: 529 acres
- **Max Depth**: 18 ft
- **Average Depth**: 10 ft
- **Shoreline**: 6.6 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 50/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Clear Lake is a 529-acre lake near Watkins in Meeker County, Minnesota. It reaches 18 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 6.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 12 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county and Minnesota DNR. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 7, based on 16 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county, Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 12
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Black Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker

## Invasive Species

Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 7
- **Years of record**: 16
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-06
- **Latest**: 2013-05-01

## Nearby Lakes

- [Willow Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/willow-lake) - 5.2 miles, 156 acres
- [Vails Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/vails-lake) - 6 miles, 161 acres
- [Eden Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/eden-lake) - 6.5 miles, 278 acres
- [Betty Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/betty-lake) - 8 miles, 154 acres
- [Richardson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/richardson-lake) - 8.1 miles, 119 acres
- [Goodners Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/stearns-county/goodners-lake) - 8.3 miles, 191 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=45.27707,-94.445)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=47009500)
- [All lakes in Meeker County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/meeker-county/clear-lake)*