Clearwater Lake vs Pleasant Lake
Water quality, depth, fish species, and recreation comparison.
Pleasant Lake reads lower on nutrients and algae than Clearwater Lake. Both are in Wright County, Minnesota.
Both Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake sit in Minnesota. A same-state comparison strips out the state-level water-quality regime as a variable: any differences in the readings here are about the lakes themselves, not the agencies sampling them. These two sit close on their nutrient and algae readings, Clearwater Lake versus Pleasant Lake. The deciding factors for a recreational visitor are likely physical (depth, access, fish species) rather than water-quality differences.
With readings this close, the choice between the two lakes turns on non-water-quality factors: depth, fish species, public access, distance from home. The per-lake pages below cover all of those.
Clearwater Lake
Moderate clarity, visible to about 9.8 ft.
Pleasant Lake
Good clarity, visible to about 11.5 ft.
Side-by-Side Metrics
| Metric | Clearwater Lake | Pleasant Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | 9.8 ft | 11.5 ft Better |
| Phosphorus | 22 µg/L | 17 µg/L Better |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 6.3 µg/L | 2.9 µg/L Better |
| Maximum Depth | 73 ft | 74 ft Better |
| Surface Area | 3,187 acres | 597 acres |
| Public Access | Yes | Yes |
| Fish Species | 17 Better | 15 |
| Trophic State | mesotrophic | mesotrophic |
A green ✓ marks the better value for that metric (lower phosphorus / chlorophyll = cleaner; higher Secchi / depth / species count = better). Surface area and trophic state carry no tick — a bigger lake is not a better lake.
Swap a lake
Compare Clearwater Lake or Pleasant Lake against a different lake.
Verdict
Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake read the same on nutrients and algae overall. The tiebreakers come down to clarity (Clearwater Lake: 9.8 ft, Pleasant Lake: 11.5 ft) and what you want from the lake. Clearwater Lake supports more documented fish species.
Stays via Stay22
Where to stay near Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake
Compare cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake. Both lakes are pinned on the map, so you can see which stays sit nearer the one you pick. Switch to Satellite to see how close each is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake
Prices for Nov 6–8, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake?
Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Clearwater Lake and Pleasant Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.