Clear Lake
About Clear Lake
Clear Lake is an 113-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2002.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 26, based on 12 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Clear Lake
- 113 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Ely
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 113 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 97 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 9
- Game fish
- 8
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2002
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 26
- Years of record
- 12
- Earliest
- March 30, 2010
- Latest
- May 9, 2022
- Most recent
- April 23, 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.
Nearby Lakes
Armstrong Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely382 acres
0.8 miles away
West Robinson Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely121 acres
0.9 miles away
Eagles Nest No. Four Lake
40 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely178 acres
2.2 miles away
Mud Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely176 acres
2.2 miles away
Eagles Nest #1 Lake
67 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely324 acres
2.5 miles away
Wolf Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely289 acres
2.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 113 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Clear Lake?
Clear Lake covers 113 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet.
What fish can you catch at Clear Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Clear Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Clear Lake.
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?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Clear Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Clear Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 26, from 12 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2010 and the latest is May 9, 2022.