Cedar Island Lake

How big is Cedar Island Lake?

How deep is Cedar Island Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Cedar Island Lake?

What are the closest cities to Cedar Island Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Cedar Island 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 Island Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Cedar Island Lake

Are there boat launches on Cedar Island Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Cedar Island Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Cedar Island Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Cedar Island 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 Island Lake?

Cedar Island Lake is a 998 acre lake located near Richmond, in south-central Stearns County. Cedar Island Lake is part of the Sauk River Chain of Lakes (SRCL), which was formed by the dam on the Sauk River at Cold Spring. The fishery of Cedar Island Lake is managed primarily for walleye and channel catfish, although it is also a popular destination for largemouth bass, northern pike and panfish anglers. The SRCL is very popular for all type of recreation.

The Sauk River drains a large portion of central Minnesota before flowing through the SRCL. The Sauk River watershed including the Long Lake sub-watershed to the south encompasses nearly 700,000 acres. Non-point source pollution continues to be a concern within the watershed; however, strides have been made to greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the system. Even with these improvements most of the lakes within the SRCL are still classified as hyper-eutrophic.

In 2010, as part of the Long Range Muskie and Northern Pike Management Plan the MNDNR proposed stocking five new lakes with muskellunge. There was concern about the proposed muskellunge stocking in the SRCL (Cedar Island and Horseshoe lakes) by local residents and lakeshore owners. Their primary concerns were increased boat traffic, lack of public access facilities, and predation by muskies on other sportfish. However, the SRCL was one of two proposals that were approved for muskellunge management. The 2011 assessment was conducted to update data on the fishery before muskellunge stocking. One thousand-forty-two muskellunge fingerlings were stocked into Cedar Island and Horseshoe lakes (521 fingerlings each) in October 2011.

During the 1980s and 90s walleye management consisted of walleye fingerling stocking every other year. Since 2001, walleye fry have been stocked every other spring in an attempt to increase the walleye population with very good success (average: 85 young-of-the-year (yoy)/hr during fall electrofishing from 2001 - 2009). Some natural reproduction may occur within the Sauk River Chain, but does not appear to contribute significantly to the walleye population. In 2011, the walleye catch rate (4.1/net) was above average for class 36 lakes and the second highest in lake history. Walleye ranged in length from 9 - 25 inches and averaged 15.5 inches and 1.4 pounds. This was similar to 2003 (15.5 inches and 1.5 pounds). Forty-two percent of the walleye sampled were larger than 15 inches and 14% were larger than 20 inches. The largest walleye was 25 inches and 4.7 pounds. Fall electrofishing again showed that fry stocking was successful (201 yoy/hr, 2011).

Northern pike abundance remains low (1.6/net), but the size was above average. Forty-two percent of the northern pike sampled were longer than 24 inches, and 15% were longer than 30 inches. Northern pike ranged in length from 17 - 33 inches and averaged 24 inches and 3.1 pounds. The largest northern pike was 33.1 inches and 8.8 pounds.

Channel catfish were stocked into Cedar Island Lake from 1976  1988 and have become abundant. Channel catfish were originally stocked to provide anglers with another angling opportunity as well as to control the bullhead population. By 1990, catfish had become plentiful and displaced the bullhead species within the system. Angler complaints about catfish abundance persist today, although many anglers travel to the SRCL to fish for catfish. In 2011, the channel catfish catch (33.1/net) was the highest on record. Channel catfish sampled ranged from 11 - 26 inches and averaged 16 inches and 1.4 pounds. The largest catfish sampled was 26 inches and 5.8 pounds. Anglers will find many catfish in the 14 - 17 inch range as this size made up 68% of the total catfish catch.

Yellow perch abundance in 2011 (0.2/net) was lower than reported in 2003 (1.9/net) and the lowest on record. Only two yellow perch were sampled during the survey. Prior to 2003, all other surveys reported above average catch rates for yellow perch.

Both black crappie and bluegill net catches have decreased but the average size has increased. Fifty-five percent of the black crappies sampled were longer than nine inches and 36% of the bluegills sampled were longer than seven inches. The largest black crappie was 12.5 inches and 1.2 pounds and the largest bluegill was 9.5 inches and 0.8 pounds.

Other species sampled included: common carp, greater redhorse, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and yellow bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Cedar Island Lake?