Clear Lake Fishing Report

Fishing’s been hit or miss at Clear Lake as the post-spawn grind sets in. Most bass have wrapped up spawning and are now roaming, looking to feed... but you’ve got to work for them. Water temps are fluctuating between 62°F in the mornings and up to 67°F by late afternoon, and that warmer water is key. The bite noticeably improves once things heat up.

Wind and weather have been shifting fast, turning clear water muddy overnight in some areas. If you’re not getting bit, move. Fish are up under docks or cruising in shallow cover when the sun pops out, but they drop back when a front rolls in.

Frog action is finally picking up some. Glide baits are drawing in a lot of big followers but few commits. Best action is coming on a a mix of underspins, Senkos, and dropshots. No one pattern is dominating.

Topwater’s should be about to fully turn on. Another warm stretch and a new moon should push a fresh wave of fish shallow.

Clear Lake bass action has been hit or miss, depending on the day. Water clarity remains poor near the Oaks, but improves on the north end, with visibility up to 5 feet depending on the area. Stay clear of runoff zones and find protected water. Surface temps are ranging from 63–67 but the current cold front will likely drop things a few degrees.

Bass are spawning, but activity is inconsistent... some shallow docks and tule edges are holding fish, while other prime areas still feel empty. Clear water pockets are key. Dropshots, underspins, and A-rigs are producing decent numbers, while glide baits are pulling better fish. Topwater remains spotty, with just a few spook bites showing up and no frog bite yet.

Meanwhile, the crappie bite has fully exploded. Big numbers of quality fish are stacked on brush piles and rock piles in 10–15 feet, and action is about as easy and consistent as it gets. Catfish bite has been solid as well.

Lake level is creeping toward 8.0 on the Rumsey, so expect the quarter-mile offshore no-wake zone to activate soon. Mussel inspections are strict.

Fished Clearlake for crappie 4/11-4/16 fishing was slow at state park.
Found some large crappie in deeper water 20ft but slow fishing for sure. 3-4 fish days.
Beetle spin with slow retrieve was the only thing I caught fish on.
I did hear that in the keys they were starting to catch some Crappie under the boat docks.
Good luck out there. I’ll be fishing black Butte reservoir next month. Thanks for reading tight lines.