Clearwater River, Beltrami County Fishing
Beltrami County, designated trout stream.
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Key facts on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
The DNR maps the Clearwater River, Beltrami County as a river running through Beltrami County. Roughly 16 miles of channel are mapped. Census points put Leonard closest, around 5 miles off.
About 16 miles are on the DNR designated trout stream layer. Boaters and paddlers have 1 public access.
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| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
On the Clearwater River, Beltrami County, the stamp validation and a single line apply during trout season. The regular statewide season applies.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Landings on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
- Clearwater River, Co Rd 5 Access1 ramp, 4 trailer stalls, Clearwater County, river mile 75.8
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Possession limits on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
The statewide inland rows are the rule set on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County.
| 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 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 30, 2026 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
What sits close to Clearwater River, Beltrami County
Lakes one stop past Clearwater River, Beltrami County
- Buzzle Lake3 miles
- Little Buzzle Lake4 miles
- Whitefish Lake, Beltrami County5 miles
- Sandy Lake near Leonard, Beltrami County5 miles
Bait shops an easy drive from Clearwater River, Beltrami County
- Keller Outdoorssporting goods store, Bemidji, 11 miles
- Venture Custom Rodsbait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 13 miles
- Northwoods Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 16 miles
- Kenkatch Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 16 miles
- Northwoods Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bemidji, 16 miles
Towns to stay in near Clearwater River, Beltrami County
- Leonard5 miles
- Solway10 miles
- Shevlin10 miles
- Clearbrook13 miles
More Minnesota streams near the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
- Turtle River23 miles
- Gull River, Beltrami County24 miles
- Blackduck River25 miles
- Necktie River26 miles
Clearwater River, Beltrami County and its counties
Reels and a weigh grip for the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
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Catches common at Clearwater River, Beltrami County
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Rob Foster, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
What people ask about the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
Which Minnesota counties does the Clearwater River, Beltrami County cross?
Counties: Beltrami County.
How does the DNR list the Clearwater River, Beltrami County for trout?
The DNR designates roughly 16 miles for trout.
Is the Clearwater River, Beltrami County running high today?
USGS has no active gauge tied to it.
Can I paddle a kayak on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County?
1 public access on file, led by Clearwater River, Co Rd 5 Access.
What are the limits on the Clearwater River, Beltrami County?
Nothing beyond statewide limits.
What does a license for the Clearwater River, Beltrami County cost?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Where can I buy minnows near the Clearwater River, Beltrami County?
The nearest listing is Keller Outdoors, 11 miles off.
Which city is nearest the Clearwater River, Beltrami County?
Leonard is the closest Census city, around 5 miles.
Which fish bite in the Clearwater River, Beltrami County?
DNR records name rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Drive to the Clearwater River, Beltrami County
Trout rules change by season; read them first.