What special fishing regulations apply at Clear Lake?

Clear Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Iowa's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Yellow perch, and Muskellunge. One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger 3 / day (6 possession) SPECIAL RESTRICTION — release all 17–22 in, no more than one over 22 in per day; yellow perch 25 / day (50 possession), no minimum length (Iowa's premier yellow perch fishery + premier ice-fishing destination); crappie 25 / day; muskellunge 1 / day, 40 in min; Buddy Holly Surf Ballroom / Memorial Day 'Day the Music Died' historic Clear Lake site." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Clear Lake?

Yes. Clear Lake is in Iowa, so a valid Iowa fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Clear Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Iowa rules.

Do Clear Lake's special rules replace Iowa's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Iowa's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Clear Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Clear Lake?

Walleye, Yellow perch, and Muskellunge have a water-body-specific rule on Clear Lake, each linking to its full Iowa regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Iowa limits.

2026 regulation year

Clear Lake 2026 — Iowa Fishing Regulations

Iowa statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 9, 2026

Clear Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Iowa's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye, Yellow perch, Muskellunge. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Walleye + sauger 3 / day (6 possession) SPECIAL RESTRICTION — release all 17–22 in, no more than one over 22 in per day; yellow perch 25 / day (50 possession), no minimum length (Iowa's premier yellow perch fishery + premier ice-fishing destination); crappie 25 / day; muskellunge 1 / day, 40 in min; Buddy Holly Surf Ballroom / Memorial Day 'Day the Music Died' historic Clear Lake site
Source: Iowa special-water list

Per-species rules on Clear Lake

Walleye regulations →
3 / day (6 possession); release all 17–22 in, no more than one over 22 in per day SPECIAL RESTRICTION; Iowa's premier ice-fishing destination
Yellow perch regulations →
25 / day (50 possession), no minimum; densest yellow perch fishery in Iowa + premier ice-fishing destination
Muskellunge regulations →
1 / day, 40 in min; year-round season; Cerro Gordo County muskie water

Official source

Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) publishes the authoritative 2026 Iowa fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Iowa fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Iowa Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Iowa trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Iowa

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Clear Lake?: Clear Lake carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Iowa's statewide 2026 rules, covering Walleye, Yellow perch, and Muskellunge. One of them reads: "Walleye + sauger 3 / day (6 possession) SPECIAL RESTRICTION — release all 17–22 in, no more than one over 22 in per day; yellow perch 25 / day (50 possession), no minimum length (Iowa's premier yellow perch fishery + premier ice-fishing destination); crappie 25 / day; muskellunge 1 / day, 40 in min; Buddy Holly Surf Ballroom / Memorial Day 'Day the Music Died' historic Clear Lake site." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Clear Lake?: Yes. Clear Lake is in Iowa, so a valid Iowa fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Clear Lake; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Iowa rules.
Do Clear Lake's special rules replace Iowa's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Iowa's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Clear Lake by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Clear Lake?: Walleye, Yellow perch, and Muskellunge have a water-body-specific rule on Clear Lake, each linking to its full Iowa regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Iowa limits.

← Back to Iowa regulations overview