Hey guys,

I've been or fished Clearlake and I'm thinking about renting a lake house there this summer, but have read some things didn't sound too good like the smell and all of the algae.

Is this a good place to spend a week, fish, swim, and have fun with the family?

If it smells and there's tons of algae or vegetation and you can't really swim then it might not be what I'm looking for.

Thanks,

Mike

Anytime at Clear Lake is not just a good time but a great time...
You can't get around the bloom... its there in the summer months... doesn't stop the fish from biting!
The smell is hit and miss... just depends where the bloom is going on at that time. Mid lake and south is where its been the last few times I was there.
I don't think I have ever seen anyone swimming in the lake come to think about it.. everyone always fishing, maybe a few jet skiiers
Just go and get your fish on!!

A good deal of people water ski there. Algae is a way of life there during the summer. Avoid the shores that got windblown during the previous day or night, and you will be okay, though swimming might be tough.

My first time there was August this year, and it was rancid in some areas. I also stuck a 7.5 for my first fish there, and a pair of 3.5s right after during a 30 minute stretch with a buzzbait. Its an awesome lake. If you stay, there are certain parts of town to avoid with the family. I don't have enough experience at North Lake to be useful, but I would try to avoid the town of Clear Lake, where CLBT is located. Its a pretty gnarly stretch of town with the the locals, further up the west side of the lake is much nicer IMO.

ive been making trips about once every two months for my entire life. some years the algae is worse than others. but i think the algae is the least of your worries. the people around clearlake are an eyesore. no offense to anyone that lives there, but its
1. a very boring town.
2. hardly any businesses open.
3. the hangout is the local walmart
4. it smells in the summer months.
5. constant complaints about swimming in the dirty water/ causing growths and rashes etc.
6. the angry punk kids who have nothing better to do than to cause trouble (idk why the dont fish)
7. but the fishing to me is worth it. i wouldent do anything else but fish all day
i still go up constantly but i rent a cottage.

if you like hunting and fishing i would reccomend but im not sure how much fun the kids would have.

Rippin_Lips and I are going to be up there March 21-25 fishing out of my boat this trip. Would be really cool to have some other SJBass boats up there fishing with us...share info and talk story or even some friendly competition. Tap Tap Boom (Mike) would be nice to have you join us up there with your Skeeter...we will find fish! Should plan on joining us. How about Marce, Jim Jr., Rick, Triton Tim, Brad, Dmun , Almadenbassmaster, Dave Nitro, Redlinerobert you guys too. Clearlake shootout would be fun. Brad you can't compete ! J/K Find what boats have open seats for nonboaters here as well. I know Chris and Nick want to go for sure!
Who am I forgetting?
Post if you may be interested and let's make a gathering of friends happen.

Hey Ragga WTH I see everyone elses name but mine for the invite J/K .....I wish Jim Jr. and I could go but I just don't see any fishing in our future Jr. has had a tough time finding work and with the boat needing repair thats another story .....we have had so much bad luck lately it's not funny....I almost forgot what catching a fish was like OH well maybe one day we will get a break ....I still read all the stuff on SJB I will be a SJBer for life

JIM SR. didn't forget you...figured you were attached to JR.'s back seat. Bahaha! I know it has been tough...my life sucks worse than yours wondering when I'll be saved by death.
Tap Tap Boom the algae bloom happens but can catch clearer water in sping and early summer. I find people enjoying water sports all summer long...clearer water can be found to swim. Starts getting thick as the days get hotter with the sun. Have you thought of camping? I probably will check out state park and camp a lot this summer or sleep on my boat like Jerbs does. Gettin the vibe I am not wanted at the lake house as well.

Interested , kickboats allowed? For friendy fishoff?

Sure why not? I'll even put your tube on my back deck and push you off at each new spot. I have three seats too. Better yet, remember my plan? I'll tow you around slowly.

You forgot me...I would be in for sure, I might be rolling with MAS and if he isn't down then maybe I'll take the new Skinny Bear Staff Members Nick and Chris.

its great up there. I go up there about 10 x a year just to fish with friends. Two times a year I take my wife a 3 year old kid and go up with friends and rent a house. YOu just enjoy the water, fishing, bbqing and go with it. Its awesome up there, the alage has never been THAT big of a deal you can always find clean water somewhere, we wake board and tube too. Its lake life..you know what you are getting into.

Ragga its may 21-25 not march... its the week leading into memorial weekend.. get out before the weekend crowd
get there..

i would be in for may for now i have no tournys scheduled. heres some recent pics from are aba tourny on the 15th of jan. we had 28.54# for our best 5. won $800 and a nice plaque. just some motivation to get all the san jose bass fisherman up there...... you wont regret it amazing fishery

the first pic was prefishing for the tourny..................

The date is May 21-25. Later? ok if you insist! I agreed to plan our trip around your schedule. It should be warmer then too...yay!
Skeeter Mike (Tap)...better weather for the family as well. Are we getting you to ponder over Clearlake even more?
Nice pics too Brad. That's why you can't participate in a fish-off with us. JK If we go out like tv show "Big Bass" or "Scott Martin Challange" we are handicapping you -3 for big and -12 for best 5! bahaha