A Lake Worth Flying To

Clear Lake is California's largest natural freshwater lake, located in Lake County approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco. At only 1,320 feet elevation, it offers year-round flying conditions that coastal pilots can rarely count on, surrounded by hills, wineries, and small communities with a long and warm relationship with aviation.

Clear Lake is also recognized as one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the world, regularly hosting professional tournament circuits and drawing anglers from across the country — yet another reason this corner of Northern California rewards a visit from the air.

In June, the weather is reliably beautiful — long days with calm mornings ideal for flying, and warm evenings made for dining under the stars.

Clear Lake has deep roots in American aviation history. In 1937, Pan American Airlines designated it as an alternate landing area for its Boeing 314 Clipper flying boats whenever San Francisco Bay was socked in. During World War II, Navy PBY Catalinas and Martin PBM Mariners trained on these waters. The Martin JRM Mars — the largest production flying boat ever built — operated from Clear Lake as well. That heritage lives on in the 2026 Clear Lake Splash In.

A Program That Goes Far Beyond the Ramp

The 2026 Clear Lake Splash In features one of the richest educational programs in the event's history.

Featured Presentations

Ray Hawkins, Director of the Colorado Seaplane Initiative, will present on his organization's pioneering work to expand seaplane operations in Colorado.

Frankie Ridolfi, President of EAA Chapter 1686 (Oakland, CA) and owner and pilot of a Super Petrel will present an inspiring keynote speach on his seaplane aviation journey.

Oregon Seaplane Panel — A panel discussion exploring the best places to fly seaplanes in Oregon, featuring confirmed panelists Dave Wellman and Steve Bateman.

Flying Seaplanes In Alaska — Chris Brown shares his experiences working as a floatplane pilot in Alaska.

Aquatic Invasive Species — An essential session for every seaplane pilot operating on Clear Lake. Note: a $20 aquatic invasive species inspection sticker is required to operate a seaplane on Clear Lake.

Aircraft Electrification and Aerial Firefighting — Presentations on the leading edge of seaplane innovation, including the expanding role of water-based aircraft in aerial firefighting as wildfires reshape the American West.

FAA WINGS Credit

Multiple seminars qualify for FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program credit.

A Cornerstone Commitment to Young Aviators

Under the leadership of Jill Rothstein, Director of the 2026 Clear Lake Splash In Youth Program, we are creating experiences designed to show Lake County young people what aviation careers actually look like — not through brochures or videos, but through real interaction with seaplane pilots and their aircraft.

Youth activities include a flight simulator, model airplane displays by the Clear Lake Modelers club, and meet-the-pilots sessions at the aircraft ramp where young people can climb into cockpits and begin to imagine themselves in the seat. The academic foundation is the AOPA High School STEM Aviation Curriculum, implemented at Lakeport Unified School District and supported by the Clear Lake Flying Club.

A Journey Across America — In Photographs

The 2026 Clear Lake Splash In will feature a photo exhibit documenting an extraordinary cross-country adventure: the ferry flight of a 1946 Taylorcraft BC-12D on Edo 1320 straight floats from Rising Sun Seaplane Base in Indiana to Clear Lake. Threading rivers, reservoirs, and lakes across the American interior, that journey is the subject of the forthcoming book The Horizons Calls: A Journey Across America by Seaplane. The photographs bring the trip to life and offer a rare window into the experience of flying light floatplanes across a continent.

Community Woven Into Every Detail

The Clear Lake Splash In has always been as much a community event as an aviation event.

Welcome Dinner — Friday, June 5: The week opens with the traditional welcome dinner hosted at the Lakeport residence of Tom and Ruth Lincoln — the kind of evening that sets the tone for everything that follows, with pilots swapping stories, new friendships forming, and the easy camaraderie that defines the water-flying community at its best.

Awards Dinner — Saturday, June 6: The awards dinner will be prepared and served by the Lakeport Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport.

Classic Car Display: Members of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club of Northern California will display Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles at the resort.

Registration & Visiting Clear Lake

Seaplane operations are based at Skylark Shores Resort on the Lakeport lakefront. The resort offers both dock space and ground parking, but seaplane capacity is strictly limited to 20 aircraft. Register now at tinyurl.com/2nvshk4y before your spot is gone.

Registered seaplane pilots who check in at the resort will receive a special gift bag including a bottle of Lake County fine wine along with gifts and coupons from event supporters.

Land plane pilots are welcome. Transient parking is available at nearby Lampson Field Airport (1O2), and transportation will be provided to the resort and to the welcome dinner.

Note: A $20 aquatic invasive species inspection sticker is required to operate a seaplane on Clear Lake. Complete your inspection before arrival.