Wind at Clear Lake

[birdi23nls]

I'm going to clear lake next wed-sat. I've heard stories about the ocean waves that arrive with the wind. When looking at weather forcast is there a mph with the wind that is too high to even attempt fishing. If the wind does come up is there a part of the lake that is still fishable? Or should we just run for cover?

[ASD]

if the wind if over 12 mph north to south plan on staying near where you lunch from. If you start up north in the AM on a nice calm day and run down south (near red bud) to fish and do not watch the weather report the night befor and the wind kicks up to 20+ N to S go park your boat and call a cab to go get your truck as runnin North bound against the wind / waves in NO PLACE for a bass boat!

[clearlakeoutdoors]

we are starting to see calm days more often. lake was like glass today
Dave

[lowerider]

I fish from a small boat and if its windy we can usually still fish in the North end and avoid the real bad waves.

[samuraiti]

It will really depend on where the wind is coming from. The great thing about Clear Lake is there is ALWAYS places to get away from the wind. You can be blown out on one end of the lake but it can be glass calm in the other.

Wish I could give more details but haven't been fishing it much lately. Hope some others can chime in as well!

Todd

[kopper_bass]

Dave,
It was really like glass today? How was it yesterday?

I just moved to Fairfield and it was like a wind storm all day here. I would not want to be on Clear Lake or the Delta with the winds we had yesterday.


Kopper

[birdi23nls]

we are starting to see calm days more often. lake was like glass today
Dave

Thank you guys for the info...I have never been to clear lake before and probably need to pick up a few things...where is your store located? I will be staying in lakeport.

[ASD]

Link

http://www.clearlakeoutdoors.com/

[clearlakeoutdoors]

birdi23nls,
we are in Lakeport on the south side of town , 96 soda bay rd [main st turns into soda bay rd] 707-262-5852
most mornings the north lake is calm and it will be blowing in the redbud arm.But lately the whole lake has been nice . Which brings out the skiers.
Dave

[ash]

As said there is always a place to get out of the wind. I have been out and had 6' white caps in the South end, go through the Narrows and the North is calm as glass visa versa as well. The wind swirls around Mnt Konocti and changes direction frequently out there.

Just be safe, read the water in terms of how to run and you will be fine. If you do think its too gnarly slide into Rodman, the Keyes or Cache Creek for the day

[BassinFever]

birdi23nls,
we are in Lakeport on the south side of town , 96 soda bay rd [main st turns into soda bay rd] 707-262-5852
most mornings the north lake is calm and it will be blowing in the redbud arm.But lately the whole lake has been nice . Which brings out the skiers.
Dave

Be sure and stop in here and get your boat inspected! Bunch of great guy's and will help any way they can! All of the tackle shops I visited around the lake are all above board and very helpfull!

Have a great time!!

[Greg_Cornish]

In 1999 I went south to Anderson Island on a nice day in my 21 ft pontoon boat. Around 4 pm I noticed a slight wind and headed north. At the north of the narrows the waves were 3-5 ft. At one point the waves knocked my pontoon boat up in front at 45 degrees. The wind made it hang there for about 5 seconds. When it came down I speared a wave and submarined it. I was able to get turned around and drove back to Konocti Harbor where I kept the boat for 4 days. The wind held out that long. They never charged me because it was an emergency.

The prevailing winds go from Lakeport to the Oaks. I made up two maps where in case of wind you can take refuge. Keep an eye on the wind if it starts blowing a little, thing about where you can at least take refuge. I made you a map that should be good in most cases. The green portions are fairly safe spots in the winds I described however, not often the winds come from the south as a front passes through.

[birdi23nls]

thanks greg...very helpful...now hopfully i can go catch a few fish.

[Larry Hemphill]

From May through Aug, warming weather and hot spells at Clear Lake usually produce calm water and gentle afternoon breezes. You want to beware when you hear a weather forecast that says "natures air conditioner is kicking in" - which means coastal fog in rolling in and San Francisco can be in the '50's. Remember the Giants summer night games at Candlestick park? BRRRRR!! What brings in the fog? Wind!! All coastal lakes like Clear Lake, Berryessa, Sonoma, San Pablo, and the San Jose lakes will experience wind and sometimes fog. Clear Lake just happens to get the worst of it - often very dangerous. The normal areas to get out of the wind is exactly what the map showed on one of the posts. The Lakeport area is usually the easiest to fish. The other situation to watch out for is a massive high pressure system that moves over all of Nor Cal after a storm. That condition can also produce massive north winds. As I have told hundreds of my clients, Clear Lake is God's practice wind tunnel. He tries out all his wind patterns at Clear Lake to make sure they work!!!