Clear Lake
Lake County · near Lakeport / Clearlake · North Coast
Fishing · Kayaking & SUP
At a glance
- Difficulty
- intermediate
- Best season
- Bass spring–fall · crappie spring · catfish summer
- Best season
- Spring–fall · Warm summer water · Morning calm (afternoon wind on the big open lake)
Permits and booking
- Licence required
- Yes
- Licence detail
- CA license (16+) required. Clear Lake — the largest natural lake wholly within California — is widely rated the best bass lake in the West. Many launches and shoreline access; boat recommended for the big water.
- Permit
- No permit. Clear Lake State Park (day-use/camping fees) and public launches in the lakeside towns. The largest natural freshwater lake entirely within California. Note: seasonal algae blooms can occur — check current water-quality advisories.
What is here
- Features
- Best bass lake in the West · Trophy largemouth over 10 lb · Slab crappie & big catfish · Huge, ancient natural lake
- Wildlife
- 300+ bird species · Bald eagles (a stronghold) · Ospreys · Western grebes · Pelicans · Herons · Otters
Worth knowing
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Good for a first timer
- Yes
Fishing detail
- Water type
- lake
- Water
- fresh
- Methods
- Casting · Bait · Trolling
- Boat
- both
- Target species
- Largemouth bass (trophy) · Crappie (slabs) · Catfish · Bluegill
- Intl tip
- License required. It's the best bass lake in the West — throw everything from swimbaits to jigs around the tules, docks, and weeds. Spring crappie and summer catfish are excellent too. It's big water; a boat helps, but shore/dock fishing produces. Combine with the wine country. Hire a guide for your first trip.
- Nickname
- The best bass lake in the West
Kayaking & SUP detail
- Nickname
- The Largest Natural Lake's Bird Trails
- Water types
- alpine-lake
- Exposure
- moderate
- Sup friendly
- Yes
- Wetsuit
- Clear Lake warms nicely in summer (70s°F) — no wetsuit needed. It's one of the warmer paddling lakes in NorCal. Sun protection and a dry bag suffice.
- Tidal note
- No tides, but Clear Lake is large (the biggest natural freshwater lake wholly in California) and afternoon winds can build chop on the open water. Stick to sheltered areas and water trails (like the Rodman Slough Water Trail) in the morning. A birding paradise with 300+ species.
- Intl tip
- Clear Lake is in Lake County, near Harbin and Wilbur Hot Springs (swimming guide) and the quieter, cheaper wineries that make the region a relaxed alternative to Napa (30–45 minutes south). Mount Konocti looms over the lake. A peaceful, uncrowded escape for paddlers and birders.
The guide
Clear Lake is, by wide consensus, the finest bass lake in the western United States — a vast, ancient, nutrient-rich natural la…
In the Guidebook
Everything above is yours for free. The written guide to Clear Lake — what it is actually like, and what we would tell a friend before they went — comes with the Guidebook.
Getting there
- Coordinates
- 39.027, -122.79