Clear Lake, Natural freshwater lake in Lake County, California, United States.

Clear Lake is a freshwater body in California's Lake County that stretches across several communities along its shoreline. The banks run unevenly and form numerous shallow coves and peninsulas between the surrounding hills.

The lake's Pomo, Lake Miwok and Wappo names include Hok-has-ha, Ka-ba-tin and Lupiyoma. In 1850 Pomo workers enslaved by settlers Andrew Kelsey and Charles Stone rose up and killed both men; Lieutenant Nathaniel Lyon's 2nd U.S. Infantry then surrounded them on Bo-no-po-ti island in the lake's north and killed over 200 people, including women and children. Settlers called the water Big Lake or Laguna before Clear Lake was adopted by the mid-19th century.

Anglers from across the region visit the water because of its large population of black bass that gather in the shallower coves. Small communities along the shore have built their rhythms around the water and its recreation.

Visitors exploring the shoreline should keep in mind that distances between access points can be considerable and require planning. Water levels shift with the seasons and affect the reachability of beaches and launch areas.

Clear Lake sits in the Clear Lake Volcanic Field, whose largest feature is Mount Konocti on the south shore. The field's volcanoes range from 10,000 to 2.1 million years old, and The Geysers steam field within it supplies geothermal power plants. Volcanic earthquakes and hot springs are still monitored for signs of future eruptions.