Clear Lake, Iowa, USA

Clear Lake is located in Cerro Gordo County in northern Iowa. At 3,684 acres it is one of the largest natural lakes in the state. Clear Lake is one of thirty-four naturally occurring glacial lakes in the state of Iowa and was formed by the movement and melting of huge sheets of ice approximately 14,000 years ago. Today, the lake is home to a thriving community of…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Clear Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Clear Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Clear Lake, IA

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Iowa - North Central Iowa -

    Clear Lake is located in Cerro Gordo County in northern Iowa. At 3,684 acres it is one of the largest natural lakes in the state. Clear Lake is one of thirty-four naturally occurring glacial lakes in the state of Iowa and was formed by the movement and melting of huge sheets of ice approximately 14,000 years ago. Today, the lake is home to a thriving community of nearly 8,000 residents and is a popular destination for fishing, sailing, and camping.

    Local residents long ago discovered the appeal of Clear Lake, and homes have been built on the lake’s shores since the late 1800s. The Des Moines Register has awarded the town of Clear Lake the title “Best Iowa Lake Town.” The population of Clear Lake nearly doubles during the summer months with the influx of tourists and seasonal residents looking to enjoy the cool lake waters. The town of Clear Lake is also known for being the site of the 1959 plane crash that claimed the lives of rock-and-roll greats Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson. The three performed their last concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, still in operation as a musical venue and reception hall.

    Boating is a popular pastime at Clear Lake. The elevation of the lake, which is the highest point in Cerro Gordo County, provides the lake with plenty of wind and makes it one of the best spots for sailing in the Midwest. The Clear Lake Yacht Club regularly hosts events at the lake, and in the summer months races are held each weekend on the five-mile long lake. The lake is also a great place for windsurfing, water skiing, and jet skiing. And what would a day at the lake be without fishing? Clear Lake is home to 30 species of fish and is stocked regularly with walleye, channel catfish, northern pike, muskie, and flathead catfish. The lake has a total of fifteen public docks, as well as commercial marinas providing boat rentals, so visitors have no shortage of ways to take to the water. Visitors can even take a scenic tour of the lake on the local double-decker ferry boat.

    Adjacent to Clear Lake are two state parks that are perfect places for camping, hiking, picnicking, and swimming. Clear Lake State Park, on the southern shore of the lake, offers 55 acres of grassy hills dotted by majestic oak trees. There are 10 acres of dedicated picnic areas equipped with tables and grills. Campers can take advantage of the 215 campsites with restrooms, showers, and electric hook-ups. The 900 foot sandy swimming beach is a perfect place to take a dip when the weather is hot. Nature lovers will appreciate the park’s undisturbed woodland areas, home to owls, squirrels, rabbits, songbirds, and deer. The 3 acre Woodford Island is a dedicated wildlife area and is also a scenic spot for fishing. On the northwestern end of the lake, McIntosh Woods State Park is one of the most-used boating accesses for the lake. This park also has designated areas for camping and swimming, as well as a one-mile nature trail. A unique feature of this park is the availability of two yurts for rent. These dome-like structures are patterned after those of nomads in Central Asia and provide campers with an alternative to the traditional tent.

    In addition to lake related activities, the town of Clear Lake offers its visitors several venues for golfing, shopping, and dining. Residents here are proud of their town, and extend a warm welcome to those who come to visit. With its family-friendly activities and Midwestern charm, Clear Lake is sure to captivate all who travel there.

    Things to Do at Clear Lake

    These are some activities in the Clear Lake, IA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Clear Lake?

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

    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Flathead Catfish
    • Muskellunge
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Walleye
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Clear Lake

    If you’re considering a Clear 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 Clear Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Clear 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:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Clear Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 3,684 acres

    Shoreline Length: 14 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,227 feet

    Average Depth: 10 feet

    Maximum Depth: 19 feet

    Water Volume: 34,800 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 4.7 years

    Drainage Area: 14 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Clear Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Carter Lake IA

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Big Creek Lake, IA

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Coralville Lake

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Clear Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Clear Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Clear Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Clear Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Clear Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: