Clear Lake Fishing

Lake County

Clear Lake, CA
Clear Lake, CA

Clear Lake Fishing

Lake County


Fishing at Clear Lake

Clear Lake's warm, shallow water and plentiful nutrients make it a great habitat for bass. Bass tournaments held at Clear Lake have produced some amazing results, making it a favorite destination for competitive fishing events. Some rank Clear Lake as the leading bass fishing lake in the country. With all the excitement about bass, some might forget that the lake is also home to bluegill, catfish, carp, and crappie.

Where to Fish on Clear Lake

The tules that grow along the shoreline provide shelter for the bass, making those places favorite fishing spots. Early in the season anglers often head for the Lakeport area, working the shoreline there around Berger Bay. When the summer heat arrives, the bass seek out the shade under docks and near shoreline trees. Around the mouth of Kelsey Creek is a great place to fish as well as around Point Lakeview and Baylis Point, Jago Bay, and out Luebow Point.

Drifting around Shag Rock and Rattlesnake Island produce good results. Public areas around the lake are surprisingly good fishing spots, including Redbud Park, Library Park, and Lakeside County Park. Also try Horseshoe Bend and up Rodman Slough near the bridge.



Clear Lake fishing map, CA

Trophy Fish Caught in Clear Lake


  • Largemouth Bass - 17.52 pounds, caught in 1990 by Jerry Basgal
  • White Crappie - 4 pounds, 8 ounces, California State Record, caught April 1971 by Carol Carlton
  • Channel Catfish - 33.33 pounds, caught in December 2009 by Fred Miranda

Which Baits and Lures are Catching Fish at
Clear Lake?

Bass

Jerk baits and Rattle baits such as a Flash Minnow 95 or a Lucky Craft Pointer 78, Plastic Worms, Yamamoto 5" - 7" Senkos,
large spinnerbait, Rip baits, drop-shot worms, shaky head jig and worm, Minnows in the winter, Frogs in the summer

Crappie

Small Minnows, Meal Worms

Catfish

Crayfish, Worms, Minnows, Cutbait, and Shrimp

Bluegill

Worms



Fishing Derby

The annual The Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Catfish Derby is scheduled for May 17-19, 2024. Past winners have taken home $4,000, while second place earned $1,000 and third, $800. Kids' categories also.
Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Catfish Derby


Clear Lake Fishing Guides

Ross England's Clear Lake Guide Service
Kelseyville, CA
(707) 349-1427
Website: Ross England's Guide Service
Ross England offers personalized instruction and full day trips for up to two people in his tournament rigged 21' foot Ranger bass boat.

Bass Fishin' with Richard Pounds
Kelseyville, CA
(707) 279-4739 or (707) 272-8410
Website: Richard Pounds
With 25 years experience at Clear Lake, Richard Pounds has caught more than 20,000 bass in the last five years. 20' Pro 201 Stratos tournament-ready boat,

Taylored Guide Service
Kelseyville, CA
(707) 349-6797
Website: Taylored Guide Service
Jeremey Taylor has been fishing Clear Lake for 20 years. He will show you all the hot spots on Clear Lake in his 21-foot 2003 Stratos 201 Pro KL bass boat.

Fish Clear Lake with Bob Myskey
Nice, CA
(707) 274-0373 or (707) 349-4460
Website: Bob Myskey
Bob Myskey has over 25 years of bass fishing experience and for the past 10 years has been fishing professionally. Fully rigged Z 520 Ranger Bass Boat.

Scott's Fish Hunts
707-583-FISH (583-3474)
Website: Scott's Fish Hunts
Scott Stewart provides instruction and guide services at Clear Lake in his fully rigged Ranger




Clear Lake Area
Fishing Tackle and Bait

Tackle It
1050 N. Main St., Lakeport, CA
(707) 262-1233

Live Bait, Minnows, Licenses, Tackle

Clear Lake Outdoors
96 Soda Bay Rd., Lakeport, CA
(707) 262-5852

Website: Clear Lake Outdoors
Live Bait, Tackle

Don's Bait and Tackle
14531 Lakeshore Dr., Clearlake, CA
(707) 995-9668

Live and frozen bait

Limit Out Bait & Tackle
12607 E. Hwy. 20, Clearlake Oaks, CA
(707) 998-1006


Lucerne Bait and Tackle
6134 E. Hwy. 20, Lucerne, CA
(707) 274-2544


Cove Wholesale Bait & Tackle
2447 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA
(707) 263-3113


Lakeshore Sports
14913 Lakeshore Dr. Clearlake, CA
(707) 944-3474

Live and Frozen Baits, Minnows,

Kits Corner
7990 Highway 29, Kelseyville
(707) 279-8954

Fishing bait and tackle, groceries, gas

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