Clear Lake is shown to be overly rich in nutrients and minerals that induce excessive plant and algae growth. One of the most widely treatments are aeration systems. Aeration is the process of pumping compressed air into the bottom waters of a lake or pond. Aeration creates two related benefits that are vital to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Benefit 1: Circulation. Water needs to be constantly moving to prevent stagnation and toxic chemicals from building up.

Benefit 2: Oxygenation. Insufficient oxygen levels lead to poor water chemistry and impair our lake fishery.

Aeration systems create bubbles that form an ultra-wide column of upward moving water. This upward water “stirs and turns the lake over,” allowing oxygen to be absorbed at the lake’s surface. Aeration systems continuously lift bottom water to the surface where gases are expelled and oxygen is absorbed. This allows colonies of beneficial bacteria to once again flourish along the bottom of the water. Nutrient levels decline and water clarity increases. Oxygen-related fish-kills are eliminated, sports fisheries are improved, and fish can expand their territory into the formerly oxygen-deprived portions of the water.

Other Benefits of Aeration Include:

• Improved water quality
• Improved water chemistry
• Reduced odors
• More favorable and balanced food supply
• Increase of beneficial bacteria
• Mosquito control
• Better fish habitat

Without aeration, dissolved nutrients, such as phosphates, can flow into water and over-enrich it to the point that stimulates the disproportionate growth of unwanted aquatic plants such as harmful blue-green algae. The undesirable growth can then consume oxygen and rob fish and beneficial plants of what they need as well as produce toxins. Water with no oxygen circulating through it becomes stagnant and is likely to grow unsightly algae that can cause rashes, illness and in some cases death of people or pets from dangers such as cyanobacteria. In addition, standing water gives mosquitoes the perfect breeding habitat.

If you would like to purchase an aerator or contribute to buying one and repair of the existing ones, please consider DONATING.

Now that the underwater treatments are being applied, don’t forget that the battle is not over.  Consider contacting a few of your neighbors to chip in on purchasing “Muck Pellets” and also contributing to adding aerators and for repair of damaged aerators. In the links below are examples of the aerators being used and also the muck pellets being used.  These can be found on Amazon.

It will take all of us, contributing a little each, to keep our canals clean.

There is a muck removal process that we are considering.  View the video on for an example of how it works.  In the next few weeks we will be testing a modified version of this machine to see if we already have the basic machinery to build this type of system.

Waterways testing continues to be done on a monthly basis by volunteers.  We need a couple of more volunteers to pitch in.  Training is free, you just need a boat and a handheld GPS.  Consider volunteering a couple house of your time every month.

We are proud to have Applied Aquatic Management Company as our partner to help us professionally analyze our lake and help develop appropriate treatments, when they are needed.

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.