Lake Information for Clinton Lake

Both artificial lures and crawdads have been good in catching these hard-fighting fish that run like a truck after being hooked. Three areas at the lake generally produce these fish; stretches near the dam, an underwater hump close to the West Side Access area, and breaklines near what formerly was an old, gravel pit or quarry.

Bucktail spinners are good for tiger muskies, some of which approach 20 pounds. Weedbeds and underwater bars are good spots to probe for this great predatory fish. Occasionally a relaxing, crappie fisherman receives a thrill of a lifetime when a muskiefish grabs a minnow. Anglers casting for bass also have a chance of hooking one of these fish, a cross between a northern pike and a genuine muskellunge.

Largemouth bass fishing has steadily improved at the lake since it opened with many of the fish coming on spinner and crank baits or plastic worms from points, coves, shoreline cover and areas of rip rap.

Excellent catches of channel cat also have been made since the lake opened, but this fishery often is overlooked by many anglers. The North Fork arm channels, and flooded timber areas, have been good spots for this fish. A variety of baits have been successful.

Like elsewhere, spring and fall produce the best crappie action, especially during April and May when the fish generally spawn at the lake. Areas of flooded brush and timber are good for this popular panfish.

Flats, shoreline, rocky shelves, points and areas of rip rap have yielded most of the walleyes at the lake. Jigs, minnows and other artificial lures have produced. Periodic releases of these fish have been made since the original stocking. Occasionally they provide good action for fishermen in the tailwaters below the dam.