Lake Clinton

Lake Clinton

View in the App
Size
4,606ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
No
Species in Lake Clinton
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Walleye
Walleye
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Blue catfish
Blue catfish
Bluegill
Bluegill
White bass
White bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Spotted bass
Spotted bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass

Overview

This large cooling lake supports a diverse fishery, featuring largemouth, catfish, walleye and hybrid stripers. Crappie and bluegill provide plenty of action for panfish enthusiasts. Great public use facilities. 4,895 acres

Lake Clinton Map

Features

Clinton Lake was constructed by the Illinois Power Company to provide a source of cooling water for the Clinton Nuclear Power Station. Completed in 1977, the lake and surrounding lands were leased by the Illinois Department of Conservation and have since offered a wide variety of recreational opportunities.--The impoundment provides a significant fishery for a variety of species, including, largemouth bass, white crappie, walleye, channel catfish, striped bass, white bass and hybrid striped bass. The Clinton walleye fishery is recognized as one of the best in the state. Check state regulations for special length and creel limits for largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, walleye, tiger muskie and crappie. Regulations are posted at most accesses.--Portions of the lake are posted as "No-Wake" or "No-Boat" areas and are indicated by buoys. The upper ends of both forks are restricted to electric motors only. From October 10 to March 31, the area between the Highway 14 and Highway 48 bridges is a fish and wildlife refuge, and boats are prohibited. For safety and security reasons, no one is allowed near the water intake area on the North Fork or within the discharge canal.--Boaters are cautioned that winds stronger than 15 mph can create very dangerous surface conditions. During summer, especially on holiday weekends, boat traffic can be extremely heavy. Delays at access sites should be anticipated.

Forage

Gizzard shad are the significant forage species in Clinton Lake. However, slow growth rates tend to keep them small and usable as prey. Nearly 88 percent of the population is less than 4 inches in length. Other forage species include freshwater drum, redhorse, red shiners, green sunfish and young-of-the-year of other species. Crayfish appear to be in good supply.

Seasonal Movements

Test nettings have not produced any evidence that walleye or hybrid striped bass make spawning movements up either fork. Nettings have, however, indicated walleye spawn along shoreline areas of the main fork while hybrid stripers and true stripers move toward current areas near the discharge.
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Fish Species

Blue catfish
fish
9-30 in
Length Range
20 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2018
Sep
Bluegill
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Channel catfish
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Crappie
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Flathead catfish
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized flathead-catfish based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201843
201748
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202420
202320
202221
202021
201921
View in the App
Perch
fish
6-7 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2015
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2015
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2015
Sep
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
4-5 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Sep
2015
Sep
2019
Sep
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
16-19 in
Length Range
18 in
Length Range
2017
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2017
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Sep
2015
Sep
2017
Sep
View in the App
Spotted bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App
White bass
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
9 in
Length Range
2023
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2023
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2022
Sep
2023
Sep
View in the App

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