200 Best Fishing in Retirement Locations

Location Number  72: 

Clear Lake, IA   Tied with Grand Island, NE

Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,161 at the 2000 census. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. It is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related businesses. Clear Lake is also a major stop on Interstate 35 with many restaurants, hotels and truck stops.

In the early hours of February 3, 1959, a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft carrying Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens, who had been performing at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, took off from the local runway in nearby Mason City, on its way to the next show. The plane crashed soon after takeoff, killing all aboard. This event was later eulogized by folk singer Don McLean in his famous song, "American Pie", in which the death of these '50s icons serves as a metaphor for greater changes within American society as a whole.

Attractions

• Surf Ballroom- Site of Buddy Holly's last concert, the Surf Ballroom still has concerts and can be reserved as a convention hall or reception site. Which also is a tourist attraction, and every February has a tribute to Buddy Holly.
• Lady of the Lake- The stern wheeler ferry boat takes passengers on a scenic cruise around Clear Lake. The Lady of the Lake has an enclosed lower level and an open upper level.

State Fish:

Channel catfish   Click this link for pictures and more information.

Types of Fish:

http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/iafish.html

State Fish & Game Website:  (Licensing requirements & Etc)

http://www.iowadnr.com/news/currentfish.html

Fishing Information Links:

http://www.aa-fishing.com/ia/iowa-fishing.html

http://www.iowadnr.gov/news/currentfish.html

http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/iowa/cerro-gordo/clear-lake-west/clear-lake/

Income & Housing Costs Numbers:

Estimated median household income in 2007: $41,500 (it was $35,097 in 2000)

Clear Lake	$41,500
Iowa:	$47,292

Estimated median house/condo value in 2007: $116,900 (it was $90,900 in 2000)

Clear Lake	$116,900
Iowa:	$117,900

Geographic:

Elevation: 1230 feet

Land area: 10.4 square miles.

Population density: 751 people per square mile

(low).

In-Depth Facts and Figures as listed below, plus other information:

·        Climate Charts

1.      Average Temperature

2.      Precipitation (Rain)

3.      Humidity

4.      Wind Speed (MPH)

5.      Snowfall

6.      Sunshine

7.      Cloudy Days

·        Tornado Activity History

·        Hospitals & Medical

·        Airports

·        Colleges/Universities

·        High Schools

·        Locations of Interest

·        Shopping Centers

·        Churches

·        Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Creeks/Parks

·        Tourist Attractions

·        Banks

·        Housing Costs Information

·        Crime Statistics

·        Radio Stations AM/FM

·        TV Broadcast Stations

·        Discussion Forums

For the above information and photos, click this link:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Clear-Lake-Iowa.html

Total Tax Burden--Data for Calculation

http://www.retirementliving.com/RLstate1.html#IOWA

Cost of Living Calculators Links:

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html?step=form&x=36&y=3

http://www.bankrate.com/brm/movecalc.asp

http://cityrating.com/costofliving.asp

http://www.relocationessentials.com/aff/www/tools/salary/col.aspx

http://swz.salary.com/CostofLivingWizard/layoutscripts/coll_start.asp