Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 1, 2021
Clark Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Clark Lake average 44.40 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 6 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 1, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–15 inches. In Crow Wing County, Minnesota, Clark Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 11.0 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Clark Lake
14 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Clark Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Clark Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Clark Lake average 44.40 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 6 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 1, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–15 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Clark Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
6 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2021-06-01 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 44.40 | 0.55 lb |
| Bluegill | 41.53 | 0.18 lb |
| Black Bullhead | 37.32 | 0.34 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 26.47 | 0.17 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Largemouth Bass
Bluegill
Black Bullhead
Pumpkinseed
From the 2021-06-01 survey
Clark Lake is a 343 acre lake located in west-central Crow Wing County with a maximum depth of 31'. Due to the fertility of the lake, periodic partial winterkills have been known to occur in the past. There are no recent winterkills on record. Walleye have been stocked in the past as fry after winterkill events and…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Clark Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — ClarkFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Clark (0194)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — ClarkFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — ClarkPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Clark Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Clark Lake average 44.40 largemouth bass per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 6 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 1, 2021. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 7–15 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 14 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Clark Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Clark Lake is dated June 1, 2021. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Clark Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Clark Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Clark Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Clark Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is declining. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Clark Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Clark Lake
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