Clear Lake (watkins)

[LivetofishMN]

Has anyone been on clear this year?  I heard rumors they are driving 4 wheelers out already.  Plan on fishing next weekend.

[smurfy]

13 minutes ago, LivetofishMN said:

Has anyone been on clear this year?  I heard rumors they are driving 4 wheelers out already.  Plan on fishing next weekend.

wow i havent thought about that lake in years. sorry no help here but would be interested in how ya do. thats maybe 15 miles from home!!!!!

[ifish4fun]

There were wheelers and sleds on the north end  yesterday coming from that access. That area has the oldest ice by far however. I’d be real cautious yet on the rest of the lake.

[LivetofishMN]

Drove by today.  About 20 big houses out, 1 side by side with tracks,  and 1 guy in the middle with a truck and big wheelhouse.   Not sure how much ice, anyone have an idea.

[mrpike1973]

I believe Crappies is what I heard slow bite though

[IceHawk]

15 minutes ago, LivetofishMN said:

Drove by today.  About 20 big houses out, 1 side by side with tracks,  and 1 guy in the middle with a truck and big wheelhouse.   Not sure how much ice, anyone have an idea.

First welcome to the Site see you are from Litchfield area. Just down road from me. Looking forward to hearing some reports from that area fish Ripley, Green leaf, Minni Belle quite often down that way. As far as the ice cant give you a definite but most of the lakes in the area have a average 10-12 inches now some less some more. 

[LivetofishMN]

If I hear any reports from area lakes, I will let you know.  I typically fish clear, but once in awhile, I will fish Ripley.  I also fish Little Mud for trout a couple times a year.

[Rick]

20 minutes ago, LivetofishMN said:

If I hear any reports from area lakes, I will let you know.  I typically fish clear, but once in awhile, I will fish Ripley.  I also fish Little Mud for trout a couple times a year.

Thanks, looking forward to it.

[mrpike1973]

I fished Clear this weekend. A low Drill battery from drilling like a gopher and 2 perch for my effort. Very slow, word was some crappies later at night.

[Borch]

I haven't fished it yet this winter. I can usually find some decent to nice sunfish there and an occasional walleye or bass.  I have not had a lot of luck with crappies but some others do as I always fish it during the day.

[IceHawk]

Very tough lake at times I fish it quite often in the summer for eyes pile of them in there but can be a tough nut to crack sometimes. Usally get a few if I can keep the small pike off my cranks and spinners. Agree with Borch some decent gills and crappies in there fish the Western bay weed edges for gills and the Basin to the N for crappies suspended. 

[Rick G]

Clear dissent usually give up it's fish without at least some effort. I agree with Borch and Icehawk, some decent gills in there... and as far as the crappies, I don't think I have ever gotten them in the same location twice...lol. they are notorious for their roaming nature on Clear. 

[mrpike1973]

You are all correct in your assessments. This is one of my favorite lakes but as said it can be a fickle lake. 

[LivetofishMN]

I was there last weekend.  Saturday evening I had the wife with and she got bored and wanted to leave right at dark.  Only 1 perch.  Sunday morning, I got out a little late as the sun was already coming up.  Got 2 crappies and 2 perch.  Sunday evening, one small walleye right when I got there and nothing else.  Fish all over the graph.  Would follow my bait up 6 feet, but would not bite.

Edited January 20, 2020 by LivetofishMN