Clear Lake kite launches?

mdh01 · Post by **mdh01** » Tue May 01, 2007 7:48 am

I've been to Clear Lake, IA a number of times, but only to the City Beach. I recall there are a number of people on the forum that either live around the lake or used to. Maybe you could help me with some advice.

For a NW wind, the city beach looks sketchy...checking Google maps, it looks like a beach on the peninsula that juts out from the West side of the lake near Ventura. Anyone tried that for a NW wind?

Mark

Stroh · Post by **Stroh** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:19 am

city beach is off limits now if ANY people are there. someone droped a kite on the beach with people there

every park is an access with shallows and a beach.

Jon

mdh01 · Post by **mdh01** » Tue May 01, 2007 10:57 am

Thanks...I agree, State Park would be tough to kite with swimmers at the beach. Good thing the water is too cold still for them!

I can't find every park on the map there...which side is this on?

Mark

gbgreen59 · Post by **gbgreen59** » Tue May 01, 2007 12:42 pm

I kite a Clear Lake quite a bit. Any wind from the south, a good place is the Fish Hatchery. It is an Iowa DNR facility that the public is welcome to use. Water is very shallow there, and a grassy area is available for set up. Look for the pyramid house on North Shore Dr as you head west. The Fish Hatchery is just past this (middle of north shore). The park you talk about on the west end is OK, but grasses grow up there. Can get caught on the grasses. Just be careful. This spot is good for winds that are mostly east. The state park on the south side is also a good launch for north winds. It is a very big area and not usually crowded. So you can keep away from swimmers pretty easily. City Beach is a scetchy launch due to deep water and obstructions. It is best to have an assisted launch. Also, as Jon said, kiters should be invisible at City Beach during the swim season.