Clamshell Lake Fishing Guide: What the DNR Survey Shows
Clamshell is a weedy, island-studded lake where the DNR's nets turn up plenty of pike, sunfish and bass, and very few walleye.
Clamshell Lake fishes like a lake with a lot of edges. It covers 211 acres, but its 6.49 miles of shoreline wind around bays, points and four islands, and 73 percent of the lake is 15 feet deep or less. That much shallow, weedy water makes Clamshell a home for northern pike, largemouth bass and sunfish, and a pleasant place to spend a morning casting along the lily pads.
Here is what the Minnesota DNR's survey work shows, so you can fish Clamshell for what it is.
Thinking about a home on Clamshell? Visit the buyer's page, or read the full Clamshell Lake guide.
What the 2024 DNR survey found
The DNR's most recent standard fish survey on Clamshell took place in June 2024. Earlier standard surveys date to 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2011 and 2018, with targeted nearshore surveys in 2018 and 2022 and water temperature and oxygen profiles in 2023 and 2024.
- Northern pike. Gill nets caught about 10.7 pike per net, an abundant catch. They averaged 20.7 inches, and the largest measured 29.9 inches. In 2018 the catch was 12.7 per net, high compared with similar lakes, with 29 percent of pike at least 24 inches.
- Bluegill. Trap nets averaged about 37.8 bluegill per net, with an average length of 5.5 inches.
- Pumpkinseed. Trap nets caught 7.9 per net, above the typical range for similar lakes. Hybrid sunfish were common too.
- Largemouth bass. Night electrofishing at stations across the Whitefish Chain averaged 44.9 bass per hour, with an average length of 13.1 inches.
- Walleye. None were sampled in 2024, which the DNR notes is typical for Clamshell. In 2018 walleye catches were low.
- Other species. The nets also held yellow perch, black crappie, rock bass, bowfin, lake whitefish, tullibee and bullheads.
A healthy, shallow-water fish community
The DNR's 2018 nearshore survey described Clamshell's fish-based index score as exceptionally high, and its 2022 nearshore survey concluded that the fish community in Clamshell Lake is healthy. The temperature and oxygen profiles tell a more delicate story for cold-water fish: in 2022 conditions for lake whitefish and cisco were described as suitable but marginal, and in August 2024 the DNR found no layer of water with both the cold temperature and oxygen lake whitefish need.
Walleye are not stocked directly into Clamshell. The DNR stocks the Whitefish Chain with walleye fry every year and fingerlings every other year, and fish can move into Clamshell from the chain.
Reading the water
The DNR's 2011 vegetation survey explains a lot about how Clamshell fishes. The lake has two deep basins, both over 30 feet, which are remnants of two original lakes, separated by shallow water. The bottom is a mix of soft muck and silt with harder sand and gravel. Plants grew to 24 feet and covered 92 percent of the sampled sites from shore out to 25 feet. About 29 acres of waterlily and emergent beds ring the undeveloped shorelines, islands and wetlands, with a bulrush bed along the southeast shore.
- Spring. Shallow, protected bays warm first. Pike and sunfish move in early.
- Summer. Fish the weed edges, lily pads and island points for bass and pike. Sunfish hold in the thick vegetation.
- Fall. Pike work the outside weed line as plants die back.
- Winter. Tip-ups along weed edges and over the two deeper basins are a classic approach for pike, with panfish in the weeds.
Access and launch
Clamshell has a public access owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, on the north side of a small bay north of three islands, according to the DNR. A navigable channel also connects Clamshell to Bertha Lake, which in turn joins Whitefish Lake. That makes Clamshell's launch a handy entry point for Bertha, which has no launch of its own.
Rules worth knowing
Clamshell is part of the Whitefish Chain's special sunfish regulation, with a daily limit of five. The lake is designated as infested with zebra mussels, so remove plants and animals from your boat and trailer and drain all water before leaving the access. Review current Minnesota fishing regulations each season.
Questions
Is Clamshell Lake a good walleye lake?
Not especially. The DNR sampled no walleye in its 2024 survey and noted that this is typical for Clamshell. Northern pike, bass and sunfish are the lake's strengths.
Where is the public launch on Clamshell Lake?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers access is on the north side of a small bay north of three islands. A channel also connects Clamshell to Bertha Lake.
What is the sunfish limit on Clamshell Lake?
Clamshell falls under the Whitefish Chain special regulation, which sets a daily limit of five sunfish. Always confirm current regulations before you fish.
Keep reading
Read about living on Clamshell Lake, follow a year on Clamshell, or browse every lake on the Whitefish Chain.
Questions about fishing, lake homes or what a property on Clamshell is worth? I am David Olson, a broker with a family cabin on the Whitefish Chain in Crosslake. Call or text 218.513.2677 or email david@whitefishpropertyfinder.com. Buyers can begin on the buyer's page.
Sources: MN DNR LakeFinder fish survey data, Clamshell Lake; MN DNR aquatic vegetation report, Clamshell Lake (2011 survey); MN DNR experimental and special management waters.