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 places to eat and drink near Cedar Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Cedar Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Cedar Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

What aquatic invasive species are found in Cedar Lake?

Cedar is a 169-acre lake located in west-central Minneapolis. It is most upstream in what is known as "the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes." Parkland, maintained by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, surrounds the majority of the lake. This public land provides ample shorefishing opportunities. Cedar has multiple locations to carry in small craft, and larger boats can access from the Lake Calhoun boat ramp and travelling through two channels and Lake of the Isles. Motors are restricted to electric only on the entire chain.

Maximum depth of Cedar Lake is 51 feet and water clarity in early July was 4.2 feet. At that time, the lake was strongly stratified with poor (<2 ppm) dissolved oxygen below 12 feet. The water level was high due to record June rainfall. A population assessment was conducted during July 2014 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish.

Despite not being stocked, Walleye have been present in low numbers in Cedar Lake for decades. The lake has benefited from the connection to Lake Calhoun, which has been stocked with Walleye since the 1970's. Though, beginning in 2005, Walleye fingerlings have been stocked directly into Cedar Lake in odd numbered years. The previous survey in 2009 netted 3.8 Walleye per gill net which was nearly double the number caught in any previous surveys. However, in the 2014 survey, Walleye abundance was low (0.5/net) and more typical of that found in Cedar in previous surveys (excluding 2009). The four Walleye sampled were 18.4, 21.2, 22.1 and 25.4 inches. Three Walleye were aged and all were from year classes (2007, 2009) stocked directly in to Cedar Lake. Low Walleye numbers in the 2014 survey may indicate poor survival of stocked fingerlings or suggest they migrated to Lake of the Isles and/or Calhoun.

Northern Pike abundance has been historically low in Cedar, averaging 1.6/ gill net over the previous 5 surveys. Although, in 2014, 4.5/net were sampled, which is higher than average for the lake and greater than average when compared to other similar lakes. Even with an increased abundance, size structure of the pike population has remained relatively favorable. Fish averaged 4.5 lbs and 26.3 inches, ranging from 13.0 to 35.8 inches. Twenty-seven Northern Pike were sampled and 8 (29.6%) were 28 inches or longer and 2 (7.4%) were 35 inches or longer.

Cedar Lake usually has high numbers of small Bluegill compared to other similar lakes in the state. Compared to the previous 5 surveys, the 2014 catch (22.0/trap net) was below average (82.2/net), but size was still small. Bluegill sampled in trap nets averaged 5.4 inches and 0.09 lbs. They ranged from 3.1 to 6.6 inches, with only 15.6% longer than 6 inches and none 7 inches or larger; only two of 7-inch size were caught in gillnets.

Black Crappie numbers have been moderately low and relatively consistent over time. In 2014, they were sampled at a rate of 3.3/trap net. The average over the previous 5 surveys was 3.9/net, ranging from 2.1 to 6.0/net. Black Crappie size has been consistently small in Cedar as well, averaging 0.13 lbs over the last 5 surveys. The average crappie was larger in 2014 at 0.18 lbs; however, this is still considered small. Average length was 7.2 inches, the largest measured 9.3 inches, and 16.7% were longer than 8 inches.

Yellow Perch catch was low and well below the average when compared to other similar lakes. Size was small; mean length was 6.7 inches and the largest measured 7.8 inches. Twenty-nine percent were between 7 and 7.8 inches.

Cedar Lake was stocked with hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge approximately every third year from 1982 to 2007. After 2007, management strategies changed and stocking switched to pure-strain (Leech Lake broodstock) Muskellunge. The current plan calls for stocking 63 Muskellunge fingerlings every other year. Since the standard summer survey methods are not designed to extensively evaluate a Muskellunge population, sampling no Muskellunge in 2014 was not surprising. (Spring trap nets are the preferred gear for Muskellunge assessments.) It is likely a population exists in Cedar Lake due to its stocking history and connection to Lake Calhoun, which has an established Muskellunge fishery.

Passive sampling gear, such as trap and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting Largemouth Bass, so the numbers from the 2014 assessment are not necessarily representative of the population present. Electrofishing is the typical method for Largemouth Bass assessments but was not conducted. Despite this, 5 Largemouth Bass were sampled in the gill nets, considered high for that gear type. Sampled fish ranged from 10.4 to 17.0 inches, averaging 14.0 inches.

Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Cedar Lake?