CLEAR LAKEFISHING
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CLEAR LAKE

Clear Lake Fishing Guide

Clear Lake is a 68-square-mile natural lake in Lake County with a nationally known Largemouth Bass fishery plus crappie, Bluegill, carp and catfish. Release-quality guidance must keep its mercury advisory, protected Clear Lake Hitch, changing ramp depths, invasive-mussel launch requirements and cyanobacteria monitoring visible.

FISH OF CLEAR LAKE

Fish of Clear Lake

Tap a fish to open its Clear Lake guide and learn more about the species found here.

Lake Monkey artwork of Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

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Lake Monkey artwork of Black Crappie

Black Crappie

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Lake Monkey artwork of White Crappie

White Crappie

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Lake Monkey artwork of Bluegill

Bluegill

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Lake Monkey artwork of Common Carp

Common Carp

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BASS FISHING READS

Great reads. Fresh catches.

Big bass. New tactics. Tournament drama. Explore fishing stories worth your time, handpicked by Lake Monkey from trusted publishers. Check back for our latest finds.

Articles are from independent publishers. Every link takes you to the original source.

Explore Bass Fishing Reads
EXPLORE CLEAR LAKE

Plan your fishing day

Clear Lake maps & depthOpen the lake map, depth information and official mapping resources.Clear Lake boat rampsFind launch sites, public access and practical ramp information.Clear Lake Lake HubFind guides, food, services and useful trip-planning information.Clear Lake events & tournamentsSee upcoming fishing tournaments and other worthwhile lake-area events.
CURRENT FISHING REPORT

Official fishing source

Lake County / CDFW durable Clear Lake guidance ↗
START HERE

Fishing license

Open California sport fishing license information
  • A valid California sport fishing license is generally required for anglers age 16 or older unless an exemption applies.
  • Regulations can change during the year; use the current CDFW freshwater booklet/interactive regulations before harvest.

Official regulations

CDFW current freshwater regulationsCurrent California freshwater regulations and revisions.Lake County invasive mussel preventionMandatory screening and Lake County QZ sticker information for trailered vessels and other covered watercraft.CDFW Clear Lake Hitch conservationCurrent threatened-species/watershed work for the endemic Clear Lake Hitch.
KEEP YOUR CATCH

Fish consumption information

OEHHA's Clear Lake advisory is based on mercury. Women ages 18–49 and children ages 1–17 should not eat black bass from Clear Lake; they may eat one serving per week of Common Carp, catfish, crappie, sunfish and several other listed species. Women 50+ and men 18+ may eat one serving per week of black bass and up to three servings per week of the listed carp/catfish/crappie/sunfish group. Always verify the current advisory before eating fish.

Open Clear Lake fish-consumption advisory ↗

Regulations, ramp status, lake level, HAB conditions, invasive-mussel requirements and fish-consumption guidance can change. Refresh CDFW, Lake County, California Water Boards and OEHHA sources before release or a long trip.