Clear Lake in California holds a reputation that draws bass anglers from all corners of the globe. Its emerald green waters are teeming with a variety of trophy warm-water species, from the iconic largemouth bass to giant catfish, crappie, and bluegill. What gives these waters their distinctive hue? Phytoplankton and algae, which serve as near-perfect forage for countless minnows and baitfish. And these baitfish are the backbone of one of the nation's most prolific warm-water fisheries.

When it comes to popularity, the largemouth bass steals the show at Clear Lake. These fish have an average weight range of 2-4 pounds, but this is just the start. 5-7 pounders are common, and double-digit largemouth are not rare. It's no surprise that Bassmaster Magazine placed Clear Lake third on their list of the “100 best bass fishing lakes” in the US. Simply put, for largemouth bass enthusiasts, Clear Lake serves up both size and quantity in spades.

Crappie enthusiasts won't be disappointed either. Clear Lake's crappie fishing is top-tier, and holds the 2021 California record, weighing in at 4lb 5oz. While action can be good during the warmer months, March and April sees them in full swing. Crappie love to group around docks and brush piles. Finding them might require a bit of trial and error or the use of electronics, but once located, hauls of 50 or more fish in a day are quite possible.

For those looking for a thrill after dark, the catfish action is hard to beat. Clear Lake, with its maximum depth of 56 feet, is dotted with flats... perfect terrain for those lazy bottom feeders. Targeting these areas in low-light periods can lead to plenty of action in both size and numbers.

Clear Lake’s 100-mile shoreline is peppered with resorts and campgrounds, and hosts over 25 fishing tournaments annually, so it does see its fair share of fishing pressure... especially during the warmer months. Remarkably, this beloved lake still seems to consistently deliver high catch rates and sizable fish throughout the year.