Important Bird Area.
Iowa's 3rd largest natural lake. Primarily used for boating and recreation.
The eastern half of Clear Lake is surrounded by the city of Clear Lake, in western Cerro Gordo County. At the western edge sits the city of Ventura.
Large natural lake averaging 8-10 feet in depth. There is a state park on the south shore that consists of a small sandy beach with adjacent picnic area. On the north shore is McIntosh Woods State Park which includes a small natural sandbar. At the far western edge is Ventura Marsh. Most of the shoreline of Clear Lake has been developed, but there is still a small tract of natural shoreline at the extreme southwest edge.
This is a public hunting area.

Large flocks of waterfowl use these areas for feeding on their migration north and again south. A number of waterfowl and others nest in the marsh.

Take I35 north to Clear Lake. Go west on Hwy 18 until Ventura. Go south 1/4 mile and Clear Lake is on the left and Ventura Marsh on the right.