Cedar Lake

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Cedar Lake

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What aquatic invasive species are found in Cedar Lake?

Introduction
Cedar Lake is a 902 acre lake located in Rice County west of Faribault. The lake has a maximum depth of 42 feet and 673 acres of the lake are classified as littoral area. There are 4 islands on Cedar Lake, the southern 2 islands are designated as an Aquatic Management Area and as a Scientific and Natural Area by the MN DNR. A DNR-maintained public access is located on the north end of the lake. 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 managed primarily for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass and secondarily for Walleye and Northern Pike. To maintain the populations, Cedar Lake is stocked with Walleye fry every other year and Northern Pike fry annually.

Cedar Lake is designated as an infested water due to the presence of Eurasian water-milfoil. First discovered in Cedar Lake in 2001, Eurasian water-milfoil limits recreational activities by forming dense mats on the water surface and disrupts aquatic ecosystems by competing with and displacing native plants. Eurasian water-milfoil is spread primarily by the introduction of plant fragments, which can easily be transported by boaters. Always be sure to clean all aquatic plant material and drain all water from boats, trailers, and equipment before leaving the lake access.

Cedar Lake was surveyed the week of August 1, 2016 by the MN DNR as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program. This survey included deploying 10 gill nets and 12 trap nets, as well as recording water quality parameters. Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in nets, electrofishing was conducted on June 1, 2016 to assess the Largemouth Bass population. Cedar Lake is scheduled to be surveyed again in 2019.


Walleye
The Walleye catch rate in 2016 was 5.8 fish/gill net, which was the highest catch rate on record for Cedar Lake and more than doubled the long-term average (2.2 fish/net). The Walleye were of quality size, as the total length averaged 17.0 inches and ranged from 14.1 to 25.1 inches. Age-2 Walleye (2014 year class) comprised nearly all of the catch (91%), which suggested that the 2014 stocking effort was successful. The oldest individual Walleye from the survey was 16 years old and measured 21.1 inches. The average length at capture was 16.3 inches at age-2 and 20.4 inches at age-3. These growth rates were considerably faster than the statewide average for similar lakes. Walleye fry were recently stocked in Cedar Lake in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The MN DNR will continue to stock Walleye fry on even years. Although the in-lake habitat of Cedar Lake favors panfish and bass, Walleye can provide an additional opportunity for anglers when fry stocking events are successful.

Northern Pike
The 2016 Northern Pike catch rate was 5.4 fish/gill net, which was higher than the long-term average for Cedar Lake (2.6 fish/net). Northern Pike were also sampled in trap nets at a rate of 1 fish/net. Fish from both gear types averaged 23.1 inches in length and ranged from 11.5 to 34.3 inches. The average length at capture was 16.8 inches at age-1, 21.8 inches at age-2, 25.4 inches at age-3, 29.9 inches at age-4, and 32.4 inches at age-5. Northern Pike fry are stocked in Cedar Lake annually in a drainable wetland adjacent to the lake.

Black Crappie
The Black Crappie catch rate in 2016 was 47.5 fish/gill net and 52.8 fish/trap net. Both of these catch rates were above the long-term average for Cedar Lake (31.8 fish/gill net, 20.7 fish/trap net). Black Crappie lengths ranged from 4.3 to 12.9 inches and averaged 7.1 inches. The Black Crappie population was generally young, as 96% of the sampled fish were age-3 or younger. However, the growth rates were relatively fast. The average length at capture was 4.6 inches at age-1, 6.3 inches at age-2, and 8.5 inches at age-3. The Cedar Lake Black Crappie population persists through natural reproduction.

Bluegill
Bluegill were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 79.7 fish/net. This catch rate was higher than the long-term average for Cedar Lake (54.5 fish/net). Bluegill lengths averaged 6.1 inches, while the largest fish measured 9.3 inches. While large fish were generally lacking in this survey, the number of harvestable sized Bluegills was high. Numerous year classes were sampled in the survey, which suggested consistent natural reproduction of Bluegill in Cedar Lake. The average length at capture was 3.4 inches at age-1, 4.6 inches at age-2, 5.6 inches at age-3, 6.7 inches at age-4, and 7.6 inches at age-5. Like all other panfish in Cedar Lake, the Bluegill population is completely self-sustaining.

Largemouth Bass
Since Largemouth Bass are not effectively sampled in traditional gears (gill and trap nets), targeted sampling using an electrofishing boat is required to assess the population. Electrofishing was conducted on Cedar Lake on June 1, 2016 to target Largemouth Bass. The catch rate was 37.3 fish/hour in 2016, which was right at the long-term average for Cedar Lake (37.7 fish/hour). Largemouth Bass were also sampled in gill and trap nets in low abundance (0.1 and 0.6 fish/net, respectively). Lengths of Largemouth Bass sampled electrofishing ranged from 2.9 to 18.9 inches and averaged 9.0 inches. Numerous year classes were present, including schools of larval Largemouth Bass, which suggested consistent successful natural reproduction in Cedar Lake. This can be attributed to the diverse habitat within the lake. Spring electrofishing surveys targeting Largemouth Bass will complement each Standard Survey that is completed on Cedar Lake (every 3 years).

Yellow Perch
The 2016 Yellow Perch catch rate was 3.2 fish/gill net, was lower than the catch rate of the previous survey on Cedar Lake (40.3 fish/net) and lower than the long-term average of 11.0 fish/net. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 5.1 to 9.6 inches and averaged 6.7 inches. Ages ranged from 2 to 6 years old. The average length at capture was 5.5 inches at age-2, 6.2 inches at age-3, and 8.1 inches at age-5. The Yellow Perch population in Cedar Lake has been cyclical throughout the survey history and is typically comprised of a small fish. However, Yellow Perch serve a very important function as a prey species for predators, such as Walleye.

Other Species
Pumpkinseed were sampled in trap nets at a rate of 3.5 fish/net. Lengths ranged from 3.1 to 7.3 inches and averaged 5.7 inches. Pumpkinseed are members of the Sunfish family and can be distinguished from Bluegill by the bright orange spot at the tip of the ear flap and the lack of a dark blotch on the soft portion of the dorsal fin. Pumpkinseeds are common in Minnesota but are usually smaller in size than the Bluegill. Other fish species sampled throughout the 2016 survey included Yellow Bullhead, Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, White Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Common Carp, Bowfin, Freshwater Drum, White Sucker, Golden Shiner, and Hybrid Sunfish.

Angling Summary
Cedar Lake continues to provide quality panfish angling opportunities. Bluegill numbers were strong, with many harvestable sized fish in the population. Although Black Crappie size structure was poor, numbers were strong and anglers have been able to find larger fish. The 2014 year class of Walleye appeared to be successful and should provide quality Walleye angling, especially with continued stocking by the DNR.

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.

Kip Rounds, Fisheries Specialist

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