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Rating depth structure for rainbow trout.
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
15-acre lake near St. Louis County. The lake tops out around 26 ft. The depth chart comes from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1989 (the DNR's original lake-survey map). The season-by-season read for each species follows, from the map's own numbers.
Clearwater maps at 15 acres behind 0.7 miles of shoreline. The basin is a simple one (shoreline index 1.4) — close to a bowl, so the structure on the chart matters more than the bank. About 83% of the surface sits shallower than 15 ft — that's the weed-and-bait zone. Call it 0.3 mi long. It sits in St. Louis County. Flowage sits 2 mi northeast — the closest neighbouring chart.
Spring rainbow trout on Clearwater hold shallow, usually 5 to 20 ft. By summer they slide out to 7 to 26 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 26 ft. The chart's best answer is Shoreline break — drop-off, 5 ft, prime for winter. Prime time lands in early morning and the evening. The summer box starts with a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 7 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 7 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 5 to 26 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Shoreline break (5 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Clearwater carries 4 mapped structure features, topping out (or rather bottoming out) at Shoreline break, about 5 ft down.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* | Rainbow Trout (yearlings) | 1,575 | — |
| 2024* | Brown Trout (yearlings) | 275 | — |
| 2024* | Brown Trout (adults) | 125 | — |
| 2024* | Rainbow Trout (yearlings) | 1,125 | — |
* Approximate date (agency reports month or season only). Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Minnesota waters are set by the Minnesota DNR — and special regulations can apply to Clearwater specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Minnesota fishing regulations →
Clearwater is about 26 ft (8 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth data here comes from the Minnesota DNR survey of 1989 (the DNR's original lake-survey map).
Anglers target rainbow trout on Clearwater.
Shoreline break is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. Every other rated spot, per species and season, is on the map above.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Minnesota DNR LakeFinder stocking reports records, Clearwater was most recently stocked 2025 with 1,575 rainbow trout (yearlings). The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Clearwater is regulated by the Minnesota DNR. Check the official Minnesota regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Flowage 2 mi · Fish Lk Flowage(East Bay) 2 mi · Mirror 2 mi · Island Lake Rsvr(W.Basin) 3 mi · Sunshine 3 mi · Fish Lk Flowage(Main Bas) 3 mi · Cooks 4 mi · Schultz 4 mi · Cameron 4 mi · Morgan 5 mi · Horseshoe 5 mi · Jacobs 5 mi
See how Clearwater stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Minnesota
More water nearby: St. Louis County fishing maps (429 charts). Browse all Minnesota fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.