Clearwater Lake, Wright County Fishing
Wright County and Stearns County, 3,187 acres, 73 feet deep.
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Key facts on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
Clearwater Lake, Wright County covers 3,187 acres of Wright County and Stearns County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 73 feet, with an average of 19.2 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 1,596 acres, roughly 50% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Annandale, about 3 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Montrose oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 2 public water accesses sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on July 22, 2019. The DNR counted 1.73 walleye per gill net, below its normal range of 4.0-9.6. Across 11 ice-out records the median date is April 11.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated July 22, 2019, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 26 | 1.73 | 4.0-9.6 | 2.62 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.24 | 0.3-0.9 | 2.86 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 203 | 13.53 | 3.0-7.9 | 2.09 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.29 | 3.13 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.1 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 13 | 0.87 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.54 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.29 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.34 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 166 | 11.07 | 0.13 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 434 | 20.67 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.08 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 30 | 2 | 0.3-1.2 | 1.21 | 0.6-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.29 | 0.4-1.4 | 0.31 | 0.3-0.7 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 35 | 2.33 | 0.14 |
Fish per species in the Clearwater Lake, Wright County gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Clearwater Lake, Wright County
“Clearwater Lake is a 3,158 acre lake located two miles north of the city of Annandale on the border of Wright and Stearns County.”
“The watershed is large (>100,000 acres) and land use is primarily agriculture with some forest.”
“Clearwater is the largest lake in the Sauk Rapids management area and a popular destination for bass fishing (6 to 8 tournaments annually) and other recreation.”
“The lake is divided between a west and an east basin and there are two public accesses on the west basin.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Clearwater Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- Clearwater Lake, Black Pool Access2 ramps, 30 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Clearwater Lake, Bob's Bay Access1 ramp, 18 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Bays and basins of Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- Clearwater (East)DNR 86025201
- Clearwater (West)DNR 86025202
Boat launches serving Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- Bass Lake Access near AnnandaleBass, 1 mile northeast
- Pleasant Lake (N) AccessPleasant, 2 miles south
- Pleasant Lake (S) AccessPleasant, 3 miles south
- Cedar Lake (W) AccessCedar, 3 miles southeast
- Cedar Lake, Schroeder Park AccessCedar, 3 miles southeast
- Sugar Lake (S) AccessSugar, 3 miles east
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Clearwater Lake, Wright County gets
Clearwater Lake, Wright County has 8 clarity readings on file since 2014.
Ice has left Clearwater Lake, Wright County as early as March 19, 2017 and as late as April 26, 2014.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
This Clearwater Lake, Wright County series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Clearwater Lake, Wright County surveys
LakeFinder builds the Clearwater Lake, Wright County list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Clearwater Lake, Wright County
Special regulations posted for Clearwater Lake, Wright County replace the statewide limit for the species named.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie | Daily limit five. | Including connected Clearwater, Grass, Augusta, Otter, and Caroline lakes |
| Sunfish | Daily limit ten. | Including connected Clearwater, Grass, Augusta, Otter, and Caroline lakes |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Clearwater Lake, Wright County; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Records set on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Carp | 55 lb 5 oz | 1952-07-10 | non certified weight |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Tournaments on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
Results and permits from Clearwater Lake, Wright County sit on their own page.
Nearby lakes against Clearwater Lake, Wright County
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clearwater Lake, Wright County | 3,187 | 73 | 2 | 1.73 | |
| Bass Lake, Wright County | 1 mile northeast | 222 | 34 | 1 | |
| Grass Lake, Wright County | 2 miles north | 71 | 35 | 0 | 0.33 |
| Pleasant Lake, Wright County | 2 miles south | 597 | 74 | 2 | 4.33 |
| Otter Lake, Stearns County | 2 miles northwest | 92 | 51 | 0 | 2.17 |
| Augusta Lake, Wright County | 2 miles west | 187 | 82 | 0 | 1.8 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Clearwater Lake, Wright County
Neighbor lakes around Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- Bass Lake, Wright County1 mile northeast
- Grass Lake, Wright County2 miles north
- Pleasant Lake, Wright County2 miles south
- Otter Lake, Stearns County2 miles northwest
- Augusta Lake, Wright County2 miles west
Bait and tackle closest to Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- BJ's Bait & Tackle/Pontoon Rentals Clearwater Lakebait and tackle shop, South Haven, 2 miles
- Little Jim's Sportssporting goods store, Annandale, 3 miles
- South Haven Sportssporting goods store, South Haven, 5 miles
- Otter Outdoorssporting goods store, Maple Lake, 7 miles
- Grumpy's Outdoorssporting goods store, Maple Lake, 8 miles
- H&H Sports Shopsporting goods store, Maple Lake, 8 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Clearwater Lake, Wright County
- Annandale3 miles
- South Haven5 miles
- Maple Lake7 miles
Clearwater Lake, Wright County, county lines
- Wright Countyseat: Buffalo
- Stearns Countyseat: St. Cloud
Piscifun gear suited to Clearwater Lake, Wright County
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Clearwater Lake, Wright County questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Find it in Wright County and Stearns County, managed from the Montrose fisheries office, about 3 miles from Annandale.
How deep is Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Roughly 3,187 acres, 73 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Try Clearwater Lake, Black Pool Access, one of 2 public accesses.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and pumpkinseed.
How does Clearwater Lake, Wright County compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of July 22, 2019. walleye ran 1.73 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Crappie: Daily limit five.; Sunfish: Daily limit ten.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
April 11 is the median; it went out March 19, 2017 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Clearwater Lake, Wright County?
BJ's Bait & Tackle/Pontoon Rentals Clearwater Lake is about 2 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Clearwater Lake, Wright County
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.