Few things are more symbolic of the seasons than the passing of a flight of wild geese. That's the kind of seasons we are talking about here.
There are no closed seasons on fishing on Clearwater Lake, but there are seasons just the same, usually marked by crappie fishing when the weather starts to moderate in late winter, early spring.
Next comes white bass season, which usually occurs when turkey hunting season is in full swing. Boats gather in the upper reaches of the lake when the white bass are running.
Then the crappie spawn invites anglers. There is no best time for largemouth bass, but they get a lot of attention in late spring and early summer.
Summer is marked by early morning fishing. Clearwater bass and crappie get a lot of attention at night. Dark lures fished off points, and minnows drifted below a lantern.
Catfish seem to be most cooperative July through September. And then the crappie, bass and white bass go on a feeding binge before winter.
Winter is good too, especially for walleye below the dam.

FISHING REPORTS

Best bet if you want to know what is biting at Clearwater Lake is to call a marina. Reports can vary, however.
Bluff View Marina, 572-223-4849, is on the Black River Arm of the lake, for instance, where things like the white bass run can affect what fishermen are catching.
Clearwater Marina, 573-223-7224, is located near the dam in the deepest part of the lake. Change, both good and bad, happens more slowly here.
Webb Creek Marina, 573-461-2344, is located at the junction of Webb Creek and Logan Creek, the shallower arms of the lake. It warms quickest in the spring and can be great for spawning crappie before much is happening elsewhere.