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LakeQuality
A wave breaking on the cobble beach of Lake Superior at Duluth, Minnesota, with a wooded headland beyond

Clamshell Lake Water Temperature

Clamshell Lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September — warmest in Aug (~65°F) and coldest in May (~58°F). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.

Typical in September
63°F
Cool
Summer average
64°F
Warmest (Aug)
65°F
Coldest (May)
58°F

Typical water temperature by month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
58°
Jun
63°
Jul
64°
Aug
65°
Sep
63°
Oct
Nov
Dec

Typical surface water temperature by month, from 203 field readings (20172025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. Months with too few readings are left blank.

Is Clamshell Lake warm enough to swim?

At its summer peak (~64°F): Cool

Brisk but swimmable for short dips — most people acclimate after the first few minutes.

Want more than temperature? Clamshell Lake scored A on water quality — clarity, algae, phosphorus, depth, fish species, and swimming safety, all on one report card.

Where to stay near Clamshell Lake

Planning a swim or lake trip? Compare cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals near Clamshell Lake — live availability and prices. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Clamshell Lake

Prices for Sep 11–13, 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.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the water temperature of Clamshell Lake?

Clamshell Lake typically sits around 63°F at the surface in September, from 203 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2017–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.

When is Clamshell Lake warmest?

Surface water at Clamshell Lake is typically warmest in August, reaching about 65°F. Lake surface temperature lags air temperature by several weeks, so the warmest water usually arrives in mid-to-late summer even though the hottest air can come earlier.

Is Clamshell Lake warm enough to swim?

At its typical summer peak of about 64°F, Clamshell Lake rates as "cool" for swimming. Brisk but swimmable for short dips — most people acclimate after the first few minutes.

Where does this Clamshell Lake water temperature data come from?

Every temperature on this page is a typical (climatological) value computed from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal — 203 readings from 1 monitoring station between 2017 and 2025. They describe what is typical for each month, not the temperature right now.

About this data

Water temperatures are a climatology — the typical value for each month, averaged from real surface-water field readings collected by state and federal agencies and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. They tell you what to expect, not the temperature at this moment. Actual conditions vary with recent weather, depth, and time of day.