Clamshell Lake, Minnesota, USA

Also known as:  Whitefish Chain of Lakes

Peals of laughter are often heard when central Minnesota’s Clamshell Lake comes into view. Walking through the trees towards its sandy shoreline reveals a sparkling, bright lake chock full of family-friendly activities. From paddleboats, to kayaks, to water trampolines, keeping your family entertained is the epitome of easy at any time of the year. Clamshell Lake’s surface spreads out over 189 acres, with a maximum depth of…
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    • All About Clamshell Lake, MN

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Minnesota - Central Minnesota -

    Peals of laughter are often heard when central Minnesota’s Clamshell Lake comes into view. Walking through the trees towards its sandy shoreline reveals a sparkling, bright lake chock full of family-friendly activities. From paddleboats, to kayaks, to water trampolines, keeping your family entertained is the epitome of easy at any time of the year.

    Clamshell Lake’s surface spreads out over 189 acres, with a maximum depth of 44 feet, and connects to the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Set in Crow Wing County, the chain consists of 14 lakes which cover roughly 14,000 acres surrounded by a shoreline full of hardwood pines. The largest lakes in the chain include Upper Whitefish Lake and Lower Whitefish Lake, whose depths sink to 140 feet. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer regulates Clamshell Lake’s levels through the Crosslake dam to the east. The Corps of Engineers also provides public access on the north shore of Clamshell Lake.

    Resorts, lakeside real estate, and vacation rentals are available throughout Clamshell Lake’s 4.4 miles of shoreline. Visitors mingle with year round residents during each colorful season in central Minnesota. The lake’s clear waters and easy access to acres of other lakes allow for an unlimited number of opportunities in and out of the lake.

    Roughly 75 percent of Clamshell Lake is 15 feet deep or less, but anglers find the body of water rich in resources. The lake specializes in largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and smallmouth bass. Anglers casting for northern pike will find the catches to average approximately 21 inches; other fish species can include white sucker, tullibee, rock bass, hybrid sunfish, yellow bullhead, and brown bullhead, among others.

    Clamshell Lake provides a wealth of family activities to keep the younger ones happy. Hop out of your cabin and sign your children up for horseback riding, tie-dying, water olympics or an outdoor game of giant checkers. Keeping the teens happy is simple — rent a kayak or canoe and explore the many islands dotting the waters throughout the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Large boat rentals are also available for those who seek high-energy activities such as wakeboarding or water skiing.

    After families are tired out from a day on the water, they can retire to their lakeside vacation rentals on Clamshell Lake for a dinner consisting of the day’s catch along with amiable conversation. Keep your windows open in the spring, summer and fall to let the sounds of the lake lull you into sleep at night. Cozy up to a bright, crackling fire in the winter and watch the snow fall quietly outside during Minnesota’s picturesque winters.

    Clamshell Lake isn’t the only entertainment in the area. Run to a rental shop and grab a bike to enjoy the Paul Bunyan State Trail a mere four miles away. The trail allows skaters, hikers and bicyclists to travel on its 100 mile long trail, which cuts though six communities, crosses nine rivers and covers acres of pine forests and wetlands. If you’re looking for a slower pace activity, there are 25 golf courses within a 30-mile radius of Clamshell Lake.

    The City of Pequot Lakes is a quick 20-minute drive south from Clamshell Lake for those looking to walk casually amongst locals and visitors alike. The antique-looking downtown district offers simple to high-class dining experiences along with annual festivals and events such as the Choke Cherry Festival and the Taste of Pequot. Winter time brings visitors to the area looking for an adrenaline rush for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, or the patience for ice fishing.

    Find your niche within a community that offers a variety of real estate options in the dense hardwood forests or the vacation rentals alongside Clamshell Lake. Opportunities abound for the golfer, the lake lover or the outdoor enthusiast. Make Clamshell Lake your next vacation destination and discover the endless number of opportunities awaiting you and your family.

    Things to Do at Clamshell Lake

    These are some activities in the Clamshell Lake, MN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Golf
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Horseback Riding
    • Antiquing

    What Kind of Fish Are in Clamshell Lake?

    Clamshell Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Brown Bullhead
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sucker
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
    • Whitefish
    • Yellow Bullhead
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    Find Places to Stay at Clamshell Lake

    If you’re considering a Clamshell Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Clamshell Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Clamshell Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Clamshell Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 189 acres

    Shoreline Length: 4 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,230 feet

    Average Depth: 5 feet

    Maximum Depth: 44 feet

    Trophic State: Mesotrophic

    Clamshell Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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    Cross Lake MN

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