Clear Lake’s predominant fish species are Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill.

The Clear Lake fishing enjoyment and fishing activity are second to none.  We work with the City and the County to help service in the community and support several fishing-related projects, thereby enhancing the quality of fishing in Clear Lake for all.

Clear Lake is named as one of The FAB FIVE lakes in Central Florida and is partnered with the City of Orlando to maintain and keep the Lake Stocked with edible fish through FWC’s (Florida Fish and WildLife) Richloam hatchery.

The hatchery is responsible for stocking, maintaining and research of hybrid striped bass.  For these reasons Clear Lake is an inspiring project to restore and maintain the beauty of the lake and canals.  The foundation adopted Clear Lake as its home base and research project which has enabled the foundation to explore, meet and work with other organizations in the assistance of bringing valuable data to help in the maintenance in the preservation of lakes.

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass are the most popular species pursued by anglers at Clear Lake. Minnow, cricket, and worm fishing are primary for panfish in December, January, and February. Fish minnows with a split shot on the bottom or under slip bobbers.

The pre-spawn bite begins in late February or early March. Plastic worms, swimbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will all work.  When the fish go on the beds in the spring, anglers toss out Senkos and various plastics. Summer is the time to fish frogs and topwater lures early and late in the day and jigs deep during the day.  When the fall arrives, the bass becomes aggressive, and anglers can fool them with spinnerbaits, rip baits, and various plastics.

Panfish

Black Crappie provides year-round action at Clear Lake. Fish mini-jigs and small minnows around brush and rock piles throughout the year.  Use your electronics for fishing bait and schools of crappie.

The added Catfish provide a fun time fishing at the lake. Late spring, summer, and fall, when water temperatures are warm, give the most consistent action. Use live minnows, crayfish, and cut bait along the shoreline.

Bluegill offers excellent fishing in the spring and summer. Toss worms, redworms, and jigs around docks for the panfish.

Carp

While carp is traditionally not an edible fish, the can be great sports fishing.  We add Triplold Grass Carp to our lake occasionally to help with aquatic weed control.  These carp are are provided by agencies like Solitude Lake Management.  The carp are sterilized so the don’t reproduce and become the dominate fish.

Triploid grass carp are considered a natural method for controlling aquatic vegetation and macro-algae. They can live for many years (20 plus years in some cases). Their ability to live long typically makes them significantly more cost-effective than herbicides.   One key to success is using sterilized carp so they cannot reproduce and take over the lake.  That requires expert lake assessment and experienced lake management by companies like Solitude Lake Management.

For more information, check out the Solitude Lake Management website.