Cedar Lake

How big is Cedar Lake?

How deep is Cedar Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Cedar Lake?

What are the closest cities to Cedar Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Cedar Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Cedar Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Cedar Lake

Are there boat launches on Cedar Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Cedar Lake?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Cedar Lake?

Cedar Lake is a 902-acre lake located in Rice County west of Faribault. A DNR-maintained public access is located on the north end of the lake. The lake has a maximum depth of 42 feet with approximately 75% less than 15 feet deep. Cedar Lake has poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by high nutrient levels. There are four islands located on Cedar Lake with the southern two maintained as public land. Although portions of Cedar Lake shoreline have been altered for residential development, the lake still offers quality fish habitat, including diverse aquatic vegetation, woody debris, and overhanging limbs. Cedar Lake is similar to other Waterville Area lakes such as Clear Lake (Waseca County), Frances Lake (Le Sueur County), and Madison Lake (Blue Earth County). Cedar Lake is designated as an infested water body due to the presence of Eurasian Watermilfoil since 2001. Cedar Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. The management plan calls for stocking 100,000 Northern Pike fry in odd years and 673,000 Walleye fry in even years. Northern Pike fry are also stocked in even years when consecutive gill net catch rates fall below 6 fish/net.

Cedar Lake is designated as a Tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2022 standard survey was completed the week of August 1, 2022, using 10 gill nets, 10 trap nets, and 133 minutes of boat electrofishing. A standard survey is used for sampling a wide range of fish species during the summer months using standard methods (i.e., standard time of year, set sampling stations, taking water clarity readings and oxygen/temperature profiles, etc.) and gears (i.e., lake survey gillnets, trap nets, and spring electrofishing for Largemouth Bass).

Black Crappie were one of the most abundant fish in the 2022 survey with a total of 717 sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 71.7/net. Since 1996, gill net catch rates have ranged from 3.2/net to 109.6/net with an average of 52.4/net. The previous survey in 2019 yielded 86.6/net. Black Crappie ranged from 4.5 inches to 11.7 inches with an average of 7.0 inches. Very few Black Crappie over 10 inches were sampled. Black Crappie were also abundant in the trap net sample with a catch rate of 23.5/net and lengths ranging from 5.7 inches to 13.0 inches. Black Crappie were up to 8 years old with most 2 to 3 years old. Black Crappie growth was relatively slow with an average length at 4 years old of 8.1 inches. Black Crappie numbers remain strong, yet growth and size structure could be improved upon.

Bluegills were the most abundant fish sampled with the trap nets with a total of 596 and a catch rate of 59.6/net. In six surveys since 1996, catch rates have been consistently high with a low of 35.8/net and an average of 60.8/net. The previous survey in 2019 sampled 45.7/net. Bluegill lengths in 2022 ranged from 4.0 inches to 8.4 inches with an average of 6.4 inches. Most Bluegills were over 6 inches but only about 5% were over 8 inches. Bluegills were also common in the gill net sample with a catch rate of 39.4/net and lengths ranging from 4.0 inches to 9.1 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 10 years old with 9 year-classes present. Three- to six-year-old fish were well represented, indicating strong and consistent recruitment. Like in 2019, growth was slow with fish exceeding 6 inches around year 5 and 8 inches around year 8.

A total of 68 Largemouth Bass were sampled using targeted boat electrofishing during the spring of 2022 for a catch rate of 30.6/hour. Catch rates have steadily dropped in 5 samples from a high of 56.0/net in 2004. The catch rate in 2019 was 35.4/net. Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.5 inches to 18.8 inches with an average of 10 inches. Largemouth Bass were 1 to 12 years old with 12 year-classes represented suggesting recruitment was consistent year to year. The preferred length of 15 inches was attained by around year 6. Cedar Lake continues to support a strong Largemouth Bass fishery due to plentiful high-quality habitat and forage.

A total of 47 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 4.7/net, up from 3.3/net in 2019. Since 1996, catch rates have varied from 0.2/net to 11.2/net with an average of 3.3/net. Northern Pike catch rates increased to an average of 6.2/net in four surveys since 2008 after averaging less than 1.0/net from 1996 to 2008. Northern Pike in 2022 ranged from 18.3 inches to 39.5 inches with an average of 24.8 inches. Approximately 45% of the Northern Pike sampled were over the minimum legal length limit of 24 inches. Most Northern Pike were young 2- to 4-year-old fish. Northern Pike growth was fast, with the 24-inch threshold exceeded by year 4.

Walleye numbers remained low in 2022 with a catch rate of 2.3/net and about equal to the 2019 catch rate of 2.4/net. Since 1996, catch rates have averaged just 2.6/net and exceeded 3.0/net just two times in 1996 and 2016. Walleye ranged from 20.5 inches to 28.4 inches with an average of 23.1 inches. A vast majority of the sample was 8 years old with a few 11- and 12-year-old Walley also present. The 8-year-old group comes from 2014 when fry were stocked. Unfortunately, no Walleye were sampled from 2016 and 2018 when fry were also stocked. Walleye remain a difficult species to manage in Cedar Lake.

Very few Yellow Perch were sampled in 2022 with trap and gill net catch rates of less than 1.0/net. Only once since 1996 has the gill net catch rate exceeded 10.0/net. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for predator fish and their scarcity may be partially responsible for the ongoing struggles to improve the Cedar Lake Walleye fishery.

Of the three native bullhead species, the Yellow Bullhead was the most common in 2022 (14.7/gill net) followed by Brown Bullhead (2.5/gill net) and Black Bullhead (0.6/ gill net). Yellow Bullheads averaged 12.4 inches with a maximum of 17.2 inches. Brown Bullheads averaged 14.8 inches with a maximum of 16.9 inches. Cedar Lake offers an excellent opportunity for those targeting large bullheads, if such an angler exists.

No Common Carp were sampled with gill nets and only 11 were sampled with trap nets in 2022. Since 1996, catch ratches have remained low with an average of just 1.1/net. Negative impacts to lake habitat and water quality are likely negligible at such low levels but their presence remains a concern.

Other species sampled in 2022 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Freshwater Drum, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Bass, White Crappie, and hybrid sunfish.

Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 2.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 6.5 ppm and 75.6 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.1 ppm and 70.9 degrees Fahrenheit at 28 feet. A thermocline was detected around 25 feet.

Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body.

Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations.

- Sky Wigen, fisheries specialist

What is the average air temp for Cedar Lake?

Are there any state parks near Cedar Lake?