Middle Eau Claire Lake

Middle Eau Claire Lake

Size
830ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Middle Eau Claire Lake
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Crappie
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Perch
Perch
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge

Overview

Summer and winter walleye relate to deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs. Look for muskie, largemouth, northerns, bluegill and perch.

Middle Eau Claire Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Special Species Regulations

  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5, of which only one smallmouth bass may be kept, and it must be over 18 inches.
  • Largemouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Muskellunge And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Northern Pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Rock, Yellow, And White Bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
  • Shovelnose Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Smallmouth Bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only).
  • Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
  • Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 14” to 18” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 18 is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
  • White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.

Forage

Shiners, bluntnose minnow, darters, sucker and juvenile panfish.

Weather

Current Weather Icon
80°Feels like 80°
High Temperature82°
Low Temperature53°
Sunrise
7:18 AM
Sunset
6:27 PM
Wind Direction
9 mph
Southwest
Precipitation
0 in
Rain
Pressure
29.69 inHg
Falling
Mostly Sunny
SundaySu
82° / 53°
Mostly Cloudy with Showers
MondayMo
62° / 43°
Mostly Cloudy with Showers
TuesdayTu
58° / 38°
Partly Cloudy
WednesdayWe
59° / 35°
Partly Cloudy with Scattered Showers
ThursdayTh
60° / 34°
Mostly Cloudy with Scattered Showers
FridayFr
52° / 27°

Moon Phase

waxing crescent
October 11, 2026
1% Illumination
waxing crescent, getting brighter
Moon Rise and Set
Moon Rise 8:34 AM
Moon Set 6:28 PM
Moon Overhead Underfoot
Overhead 1:36 PM
Underfoot 1:13 AM
waxing crescent
SundaySu10/11
waxing crescent
MondayMo10/12
waxing crescent
TuesdayTu10/13
waxing crescent
WednesdayWe10/14
waxing crescent
ThursdayTh10/15
waxing crescent
FridayFr10/16
waxing crescent
SaturdaySa10/17
Waterbody poster background

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Top Fish Species

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
7-21 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2025
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths