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Clear Lake Fishing Report 2023 [Tips, Spots, Pictures, and Everything You Need to Know]

How To Fish Clear Lake

Fishing Clear Lake – photo: usgs.gov

Clear Lake Fishing Report

Clear Lake is a large, but shallow lake that sits 123 miles away from San Francisco and 471 miles away from Los Angeles.  

Overall it’s a popular lake being nestled in the northern part of California. In this post you’re going to be given the blueprint to fish this lake.

So you may be asking yourself how to fish Clear Lake? There are three important factors you must know  if you want to know how to fish Clear Lake successfully. First, you need to know what kind of fish is in Clear Lake. Second, it’s important for you to know which part of the lake each species can be found. Lastly, knowing what are the best baits that work on Clear Lake is vital.  However, tactics, baits, and locations will be different for each type of fish that you target. So let’s talk about the steps you need to take in order to give you the best chance of catching a fish on Clear Lake.

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About Clear Lake

Clear Lake is a shallow body of water with the average depth being 20 feet and a maximum depth of 60 feet when the lake is completely full. Being 19 miles long and 8 miles across. Clear Lake has over 100 miles of shoreline and spans over 68 square miles. This is one of America’s oldest natural lakes that sits on a massive area of hard bedrock. According to scientists from the United States Geological Survey in 1973 and 1980, the lake is at least 480,000 years old!

Clear Lake is known as the “Bass Capital of the West” because largemouth bass account for two-thirds of the fish taken there, with a record of 17.52 pounds (7.95 kg).

You can expect to have an average water temperature in the upper 75-79 °F in the summer and 40 °F in the winter. 

Clear Lake gives locals and visitors the opportunity to test their luck in catching one of the many game species this lake has to offer.

Important Lake Warnings

Algae blooms may be present which may affect fishing, swimming, and water contact in general. 

According to parks.ca.gov, “every one of California’s new laws requires boat operators to have a California Boating Card. The card is required for anyone under the age of 41 to operate a boat in California’s waters.”

If you are fishing and camping, fire bans may be in effect due to the ongoing drought conditions.

What Kind of Fish Are In Clear Lake

  • Largemouth Bass
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • White and Black Crappie
  • Bluegill and Sunfish
  • Perch
  • Catfish
  • Note: Rainbow trout are planted at this lake.*

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Clear Lake Fishing Tips & General Strategies

It can be a challenge to break down Clear Lake and decide to get started. 

First off, Clear Lake isn’t clear, it actually has a semi-stained greenish hue due to its ongoing algae presence. 

The most sought after gamefish that anglers try to catch are Florida strain largemouth bass and crappie. 

You should expect to only fish five types of cover/ structure at Clear Lake: (a) emergent vegetation/ weed beds, (b) tules/cattails, (c) ledges, (d) rocky banks and reefs and (e) docks.

Weed beds are prevalent throughout Clear Lake and can be fished year round.  The key to fishing weed beds is to find weed beds that are either near a ledge, near a channel swing. 

Furthermore, you can also be successful if you find a hard structure (like a rock pile, rocky ridge, or a high spot) within the weed bed flat. 

Overall the best time to fish for bass in this lake is April, May, and June. 

The most productive weed beds on the western side of the lake are 5-10-feet deep. 

Most of the fish such as bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish will spawn in the spring.  Bass will spawn in 1’-15’-feet of water notably on rocky structure, gravel flats, humps, and small creek inlets and cuts.  

When the summer heat sets in, the bass, bluegill, and crappie will move to deeper water to approximately 15’-30’-feet of water. 

You can find bass on the edges of weed beds that are located just before a drop off or ledge. 

Focus on these drops offs, channels, points, submerged humps. Deeper area with chunk rock ranging from baseball to basketball size will attract both bass, crappie and catfish since it provides a safe area the prey (crayfish, bream, and minnows) can hide.

Then toward the late summer and into fall bass will be found and caught deep rocky points, ledges, and docks near deep water/ channels/ or ledges. 

Fishing Clear Lake in the winter is completely different that how you fish it during the summer. 

Most of the time the water clarity will be severely stained to muddy. And fishing muddy water can be very difficult.  To make it even worse, the lake can be downright windy. 

Lastly, since this area is experiencing an extreme drought that causes the water level to get extremely low, you need to be careful when boating, there is always the possibility of a  water hazard that has not been marked.

But Where Are The Best Places To Fish At Clear Lake?

And in no particular order here is that list of the best fishing spots at Clear Lake.

DISCLAIMER:  The material provided is for general information purposes only. It’s important to understand that any information provided in this article can change at any time. Any maps or graphics featured are not to be used as navigational aids. Fishing Blueprint will not be responsible for any personal injury or property damage from any misuse of the maps or graphics provided.   It’s completely impossible to give you every single spot where you can potentially catch a fish.  But, what this list does do is to give you a helping hand and narrow down to the most productive fishing spots.

Soda Bay to Clear Lake State Park

This stretch of the lake is great to fish year round. 

Soda Bay has a good mix of boulder piles that are on a point and extend into deeper water. And as you get into Soda bay there is a good variety of weed beds and tulles to fish.

Bass that live in this area will position in shallow structure, tulles, and weed beds, then in the wintertime will migrate to the deeper breaks in the hot summer months.

For those who have not fished Clear Lake, Soda Bay actually has a CO2 spring vent and will create bubbles in the lake. 

Most anglers swear by this spot being feast or famine. Some have actually claimed the CO2 bubbles mess up the clear coat on their boat.  We could not find any definitive warning from the California Department Of Game and Fish that the CO2 bubbles from Soda Bay damages the clear coat on your boat. 

The State Park is a fairly large area that has very little change in depth and is covered in submerged weed beds and tulles in shallow water. Sometimes this vegetation can grow to the surface creating a floating mat or canopy. 

It’s relatively shallow (between 3 and 10 feet deep) and what makes this spot unique is all the cover the fish can hide in and call home. Parts of the flat close to deep water, if the fish feel threatened, they can retreat to.  Fishing the outside edges can frequently result in fish being caught.

There are several hard bottom patches, small rock piles, and high spots on humps that should be checked for fish. 

Lastly, when the lake gets windy you can fish Kelsey Creek Inlet and still get bit.

Located: mid lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (points, cuts, boulders) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Located: mid lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (points, cuts, boulders) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Quercus Point to Holiday Cove

Quercus Point is a grassy point with boarding tully patches, and a relatively sharp drop off on each side. Furthermore, approximately 25-50 yards off the tip of Quercus Point there are several highpoints and rock piles that should be checked carefully for bass. 

Along the shoreline the area is covered in submerged weed beds and tulles in shallow water. Sometimes this vegetation can grow into floating mats.

Fishing this area in the spring for spawning bass can be off-the-charts fun.

There are several hard bottom patches, small rock piles, and high spots on humps that should be checked for fish. 

Lastly, when the lake gets windy you can fish Holiday Cove and still get bit.

Located: southwest lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (points, cuts, boulders) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Rocky Point

This spot is very unique because it is filled with rocky reefs, boulder piles, and hard bottom near tulle patches that are located near the bank. That combination is important because as the water in the spring warms up, spawning bass are attracted to this area, making it a beacon for fish.

Located: west lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Rodman Slough and Tule Island

This is another “must fish” area in the spring. Tulles, submerged weeds, and vegetation mats support a healthy bass, bluegill, and even catfish population year round.

Surprisingly the area has several hard bottom patches and rock piles. 

For those who like to fish frogs, flipping grass, and punching vegetation, this area is a sight to behold.

If you motor up Rodman Slough and find there are too many boats inside, a phenomenal second choice would be to fish Tule Island and the surrounding banks.  

One of the best techniques to try is to fish a lipless crankbait parallel to the weedline and yo-yo it back to the boat. Shad colors tend to work the best. 

Rodman Slough isn’t very big, and fishing near another boat will probably happen, please utilize the Golden Rule and be polite and courteous to each other. 

Located: west lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Holiday Harbor

This area is known for its great bass fishing during the summer. 

Bass will take shelter among the docks and deeper weedline edges. 

Make sure to target natural cuts and points the tulles will make along the shoreline.

Located: north lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Pepperwood Cove to Kono Tayee Point

This section of the lake is known for its rocky shoreline. Rock size will range from smaller chunk rock boulders closer to the bank and will transition to smaller baseball sizerock to pea gravel. 

When the lake is at normal pool, casting crankbaits along the shoreline often results in bass being caught. 

Alternatively, when the lake is at a lower pool you’ll notice the large boulder embankment is exposed and cannot be fished. The solution to fishing this spot is scanning the area for large isolated boulders that could use a cover.    

Look Closely…

Located: north lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

The Keys

The Keys is an area that comprises a series of interconnecting man made channels. 

This area can be on fire all through spring into early summer, normally, March through April for catching bedding bass. 

Then will move out to the adjacent locations such as Stubbs Island or the bordering tulle patches that are located on either side of the entrance of The Keys.

Located: northeast lake

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Rattlesnake Island

Rattlesnake Island is special; its shoreline consists of rocky reefs, boulder piles, and hard bottom near tulle patches that are located near the bank. 

That combination of the different types of structure allows the water to warm up sooner than the surrounding area, thus spawning bass are attracted to this area, making it a beacon for fish all through spring and into early summer.

If you’re going to target Rattlesnake Island to fish, focus your time on the transition zones from rock to vegetation (ie; tulles, submerged weeds, and vegetation mats) to increase your chances to catch fish.

Lastly, be sure to fish the artificial chunk rock embankment just east of Rattlesnake Island, especially during pre-spawn and post-spawn

Located: northeast lake

Structural features: Rocky banks, reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak

Monitor Point and Monitor Island

This spot is defined by a long rocky point with multiple drop offs and humps lined with tulles. 

If you’re going to target Monitor Point and Monitor Island, focus your time on the transition zones from rock to vegetation (ie; tulles, submerged weeds, and vegetation mats) to increase your chances to catch fish.

Other productive areas will be saddles (high spots connecting the humps), channels, large boulders, ridges, and drop offs.

Before trying to fish everything, be sure to take some time and scan these areas first with your fish finder to see if there are any bait or bass relating to that particular spot.  If you see bait or bass in the spot then fish it. 

Located: southeast lake

Structural features: Rocky points, rocky banks, reeds, tulles, drop offs 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak

Rosebud Park to Cache Creek

This is another “must fish” area in the spring. Tulles, submerged weeds, and vegetation mats support a healthy bass, bluegill, and even catfish population year round, but is best fished in the spring

Surprisingly the area has several hard bottom patches and rock piles especially around Indian Island. 

The opening of Cache Creek is filled with grass mats and tulles and is perfect for those who like to fish frogs, flipping grass, and punching vegetation.

During the summertime, bass will migrate and seek shelter to the docks and lining the Redbud Park area.

Located: southeast

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Konocti Bay

This area is a phenomenal place for catching largemouth bass. 

The main lake points of Konocti Bay (Wheeler Point (east) and Fraser Point (west)) are both steep rocky points that drop into deep water, making them perfect spots for summer and early fall bass fishing. 

Overall, most of the bay is between 6-22-feet at full pool. The back of the bay is lined with submerged weeds, grass mats, and tulles. 

Located: southeast

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

Buckingham Point to Shag Rock

This spot is one of the primary summer fishing spots for largemouth bass. 

The shoreline is steep and is mostly made of small boulders to chunk rock and drops into deeper water.

Just to the east of Buckingham Point bass will migrate to the tully groves on Anderson Island and Dollar Island.

As well as that, just south of Shag Rock, there are several pockets and cuts also filled with tulles and grass mats. 

Located: southeast

Structural features: Reeds, tulles, rocky structure (reefs, rocky piles, hard bottom) 

Best species to target: Largemouth bass, catfish, bluegill

Most effective way to fish this spot: Boat, kayak, shore line fishing

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How To Catch Fish In Clear Lake

Largemouth Bass

Spawn: Spring, March-May

Food: Shad, minnows, small trout, small salmon, bluegill, perch, crayfish

California State Record: 21lbs 12 oz. Caught in 1991 in Castaic Lake at the main boat ramp.

Table Quality: Decent. Firm white meat. 

Angling techniques:

Smallmouth Bass

Spawn: March-May

Food: fish, crustaceans. 

California State Record: 9 lbs 13 oz. Caught 7/3/2007 in Pardee Reservoir.

Table Quality: Similar to a largemouth bass it’s firm, white, flaky, mild-tasting

Angling techniques:

White and Black Crappie

Spawn: April – mid-June

Food: Larvae, small fish, and crustaceans. Threadfin shad and minnows make up their main diet. 

California State Record: 

  • White crappie: 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 4/26/1971 in Clear Lake using minnows.
  • Black crappie: 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 2/17/2021 in Clear Lake using minnows.

Table Quality: The meat is excellent. It’s firm, flaky and white. 

Angling techniques:

  • Live minnows under bobbers
  • Crappie jigs
  • Crappie tubes
  • Silver spoons
  • Spinners

Catfish

General Catfish Details

Spawn: March-June

Food: Carp, bluegill

California State Record: 

Blue catfish –  72 lbs 14 oz. Caught 4/22/2003 in Colorado River (Riverside).

Bullhead catfish – 4 lbs 8 oz. Caught 10/7/1993 in Trinity Lake.

Channel catfish –  53 lbs 8 oz. Caught 9/22/2008 in San Joaquin River.

White catfish –  22 lbs 0 oz. Caught 3/21/1994 in Land Park pond (Sacramento).

Table Quality: Soft white meat. In the summer the meat will taste muddy.

Angling techniques:

  • chicken liver
  • hotdogs
  • stink bait
  • small live bluegill, sunfish, or perch
  • Frozen cut bait; anchovies, mackerel or sardines.

Bluegill or Sunfish

General Bluegill/ Sunfish Details

Spawn: April and May

Food: Small fish and insects

California State Record: 

Bluegill – 3 lbs 14 oz. Caught 6/22/2008 in Rancho Murieta Reservoir.

Sunfish (red ear) – 5 lbs 3 oz. 6/27/1994 in Folsom South Canal (Sacramento) 

Table Quality: Firm, white meat 

Angling techniques: 

  • Worms
  • Dough balls
  • Slim Jim sausages pieces on a small hook (not lying… it really works)
  • Small spinners
  • Trout flies

Yellow Perch

Spawn: February thru July

Food: Small fish and insects

California State Record: 3 lbs 10 oz. Caught 5/22/1979 in Crowley Lake.

Table Quality: Firm, white meat 

Angling techniques: 

  • Worms
  • Dough balls
  • Slim jim sausages pieces on a small hook (not lying… it really works)
  • Small spinners
  • Trout flies

Rainbow Trout

Spawn: March-May

Food: insects and crustaceans. 

California State Record: 27 lbs 0 oz. Caught 10/02/2005 in Lake Natoma.

Table Quality: Depending on the fishes diet, the meat can be white to orange-red in color. The meat is firm, flaky, and is considered excellent eating.

Angling techniques:

Boat Ramps At Clear Lake

Clear Lake State Park Boat Ramp

  • Location: mid-lake west side
  • Address: 5300 Soda Bay Rd, Kelseyville, CA 95451
  • Phone number: (707) 279-4293
  • Lanes: 3
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: Yes
  • Camping nearby: Yes

 

Riviera Heights Boat Launch

  • Location: midlake, west side
  • Address: Kelseyville, CA 95451
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 1
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Lakeside County Park

  • Location: midlake, westside
  • Address: 1985 Park Dr, Kelseyville, CA 95451
  • Website: parks.lakecountyca.gov
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 2
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

First Street Launching Facility

  • Location: northwest
  • Address: 20 1st St, Lakeport, CA
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 3
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Third Street Launching Facility

  • Location: northwest
  • Address: 20 3rd St, Lakeport, CA
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 3
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Fifth Street Launching Facility

  • Location: northwest
  • Address:  5th St, Lakeport, CA
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 3
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Keeling Park

  • Location: Northside
  • Address: 3015 Lakeshore Blvd, Nice, CA 95464
  • Website: parks.lakecountyca.gov
  • Lanes: 2
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: no

Lucerne Harbor Park

  • Location: northeast lake
  • Address: State Hwy 20, Lucerne, CA 95458
  • Phone number: (707) 262-1618
  • Website: parks.lakecountyca.gov
  • Lanes: 2
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: no

Clearlake Oaks Boat (Keys) Launch

  • Location: mid-lake east side
  • Address: 12684 Island Dr, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 1
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: Yes. 

Redbud Park

  • Location: southeast
  • Address: 14655 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake, CA 95422
  • Phone number: none
  • Lanes: 8
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Marinas At Clear Lake

Braito’s Buckingham Marina & Boat Launch

  • Location: mid lake, westside
  • Address: 1555 Eastlake Dr, Kelseyville, CA 95451
  • Website: braitos-marina.edan.io
  • Phone number: (707) 279-4868
  • Nearby boat ramp: Yes, 2 lanes available to use
  • Restrooms: Yes
  • Showers: no
  • Gas: Yes
  • Groceries available: no
  • Electric: No
  • Camping nearby: No

Top Tackle Shops Near or At Clear Lake

Clearlake Bait & Tackle

  • Address: 14699 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake, CA 95422
  • Phone: (707) 994-4399
  • Payment methods accepted – Cash, credit, debit

Limit Out Bait, Tackle & Lodging

  • Address: 12607 State Hwy 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423
  • Phone: (707) 998-1006
  • Payment methods accepted – Cash, credit, debit

Clearlake Outdoors

  • Address: 96 Soda Bay Rd, Lakeport, CA 95453
  • Phone: (707) 262-5852
  • Payment methods accepted – Cash, credit, debit

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