What makes Clear Lake sights so special is the silent story that hides itself between the old field roads and the glittering water of the lake of the same name. The area became the beginning of the 19th century. A century of pioneers from Ohio, who sought the fertile land on the edge of the then undeveloped north. In 1836 the Clear Lake Township was officially founded, and since then the village has hardly been removed from its rustic origin – fortunately, because that is exactly what I love on this spot earth. If you drive over the I‐69 by car and then hit Highway 20 east, you will find a few short country roads, lined with corn fields and old barns, right in the heart of Steuben County.
I have to admit that I cannot fully understand the whole hype about “small cities with Instagram water”, but here there is something that can not imitate a filter: the honest pleasing of the lake that is enjoyed by Angles and Enten. The nearest small airport in Angola is just a short trip, if you prefer to fly, and the local bus lines will even take you to the main road where you can take the tax yourself. Sure, there isn't much snuck, but that's exactly what makes the charm – a place where you're taking the pace yourself without a tourist guide telling you when to move on.
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The first stop of my little Odyssey was Pokagon State Park, a piece of nature that feels like an oversized playground for adults – if you do not cut the toboggan slide as a toy. I spent a few hours exploring the hiking trails and must admit that the view from the Observation Tower is almost as good as the legendary “Lake View” in the local diner, only without the glaring neon light. Parking is usually easy, except for the weekends in the summer, when suddenly everyone shows up with a kayak and a picnic basket and turns the few free places into a mini camp area.
A short detour to the south leads to Hillsdale Lake, one of the few places where one actually finds a little rest when one puts the phone on noisy. I spent a few hours on the shore, rented an old fishing boat and tried to explain to the fishermen that “big fishing” is not always a benchmark for success. The water quality is surprisingly clear – no joke, the water is actually clear, and this is reflected in the reflection of the surrounding trees, which are otherwise only known from postcards.
Further north, almost like a secret club for locals, lies the Fremont Lake. There is no exaggerated tourism hustle, just a few anglers waiting patiently for a bass jumping over the bow at sunset. I was friends there with a local fisherman named Carl who told me that he has been fishing here for over thirty years and still believes that the “big water” is a myth. Parking is a children's game as long as you don't come on Friday night, when the local bowling league occupies the shore for a barbecue.
A bit of history? Then it is worth a trip Steuben County Historical Museum in Angola. The collection is a colourful mix of old land machines, photos from the founding period and a curious exhibition about the local folklore, which claims that a spooking in the old barn house – I have never seen the ghost, but the leadership was still entertaining because the curator constantly jumped back and forth between serious facts and dry jokes. The museum is just a few minutes away from Clear Lake, and parking is almost always free there, except when the annual “Heritage Day” festival raises the number of visitors.
If you are already in Angola, you should Angola Train Depot visit. The old railway station is a perfect example of how to make a café from a dusty relic that tells more about the history of the railway than you would find in any history book. I drank a cappuccino there while I heard the sound of the old locomotives that were still to be heard in the distance – a bit cheesy, but somehow suitable for the mood.
Another secret tip I barely tell anyone is the Wabash & Erie Canal Trail. The cycle path stretches through the gentle hills of Steuben County and offers small viewpoints that overlook the vastness of the country. I turned a round there while I was thinking why I'm getting back to Clear Lake – maybe because the water just tastes better than that from any other lake in Indiana.
Last but not least a short trip to Clear Lake Golf Course, who does not have the most glamorous fairways, but a few really nice people who are discussing the weather during the cleaning as if it were the most important of the world. I've done some punches there that looked more like a bad dance step, and still had some fun – that's the most important thing, right?
Next time you think about where you want to spend your time in the area of Clear Lake, remember: Clear Lake Attractions offer a mix of nature, history and a bit of local nature that you will hardly find otherwise. And yes, the water is clear – this is at least a fact that I no longer have to deny.
This guide invites you to discover a small, but surprisingly charming spot in the north of India – without the usual tourist crowds you can find in the big cities. I must admit that I was initially skeptical about whether Clear Lake has anything to offer, but the clear water of the lake of the same name quickly convinced me of the opposite.
The Clear Lake itself is the heart of the place. Anyone who likes fishing will be rewarded here with a selection of cash, zander and even a few moments of pike. I remember an early summer morning when I glided over the mirror-smooth surface with my old kayak and suddenly swapped a huge bark on the leash – a real adrenalinkick that immediately made me a regular visitor. Parking is usually easy, except on Saturday night, there will be a real problem because then the whole neighborhood flows to the shore way for barbecue.
A short walk leads to Clear Lake Park, a small but lovingly cultivated green piece that has more to offer than one would suspect at first glance. There is an old wooden pear that is perfect to enjoy the sun or just read a book while the children in the playground area get rid of their energy loudly. I once organized an improvised picnic with a few locals – the conversation quickly turned around the best fishing spots and the legendary “Mother of the Lake”, an old pasture that delivers a particularly spectacular color play every year in autumn.
If you prefer to actively use the water, this is Clear Lake Marina That's right. The marina is small but well equipped: a few boat rental stations, a small kiosk with coffee and donuts (the coffee is not a joke, it is really strong) and a friendly operator that gives you the feeling of being an old friend right away. I once rented a small motorboat to explore the hidden bays – an experience I would put to everyone who loves the feeling of freedom on the water.
For those who prefer to stay on solid ground, there is Clear Lake Golf Club, a 9-hole place that is surprisingly challenging despite its modest size. The fairways swell through dense trees and constantly offer unexpected obstacles. I have had a game with a local golf professional who explained to me why the green here is always a bit faster than elsewhere – a small but fine trick that I have ever had in mind with every turkey.
Another highlight is the Clear Lake Community Center. Events take place all year round, from art exhibitions to local dance evenings. I was by chance at an “Open Mic” evening where a teenager from the neighborhood gave a surprisingly good cover of Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” to the best. The center is a real meeting place, and parking right before is almost always free as long as you don't celebrate a big festival.
For those interested in history, Clear Lake Historical Society Museumhoused in an old school building. The exhibition is small but well curated, with photos from the 1920s, old maps and a few curious items such as an original bottle mail found in the lake in 1953. I discovered an old newspaper that reported about the construction of the first bridge over the lake – a piece of local history that you don't read every day. And yes, if you follow Clear Lake Attractions googling, this museum is repeatedly mentioned because it is the only one that really catches the soul of the place.
Last but not least, a short trip to Clear Lake Town Halla pretty one in the early 20th. Building built in the century, which today still serves as an administrative centre. The facade is a beautiful example of the architecture at that time, and the interior houses a small archive with city plans and old documents. The Clear Lake Cemeterywhere you can admire the artistically worked tombstones of the founding families – a quiet place that invites you to think. I once met an old veteran who told me stories from the Second World War, while we looked at the yellowed photos of his youth. This is the true flair of Clear Lake: a mixture of calm nature, warm people and a story that you can't overlook if you just look a little closer.
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