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 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?

Cedar Lake is 793-acres (793 littoral acres) with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Cedar is located northeast of New Prague in southern Scott County. Cedar is managed for Walleye, Bluegill, and Black Crappie, but also supports catchable populations of Largemouth Bass and Yellow Perch. Public water access is provided by DNR Parks and Trails at two locations on Cedar Lake. The eastern launch off of MN Hwy 13 provides two concrete ramps and parking spaces for 30 vehicle/trailers; while the northwestern launch off of county road 64 provides one concrete ramp and 4 vehicle/trailer parking spaces.

A Standard Survey (11 trap nets/4 gill nets) was conducted on Cedar Lake during the week of 8/2/2021 to assess the fishery. During the 2021 survey, Cedar was highly productive (green stained water), with poor water clarity, measured at 1.5 feet during the time of this survey. Despite these factors, dissolved oxygen remained above 4 parts per million (ppm) at an 11 foot depth during the survey period.

Walleye in Cedar Lake are maintained through fingerling stocking in odd numbered years. During the 2021 survey Walleye were captured at high numbers (12/net), well above the expected catch rate of similar lakes in the area. There were 48 Walleye sampled in gill nets, with an average size of 13.2 inches and the largest measured at 25.6 inches. Size indices show a population currently skewed toward smaller Walleye. Growth rates were very fast compared to the statewide average, with an average length of 12.8 inches by age 2. While the current Walleye population is small in size, high abundances and fast growth should help contribute to plenty of angling opportunity in the coming years.

High numbers of Bluegill were sampled with trap nets (22.8/net), above the expected catch rate of similar lakes in the area. There were 251 Bluegill sampled in trap nets during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 7.3 inches and the largest measured at 10.1 inches. Bluegill size indices describe a balanced population (an intermediate between high numbers of small fish and few numbers of large fish). Bluegill growth was fast compared to similar lakes across the metro with an average length of 6.2 inches by age 2. Cedar Lake provides one of the few opportunities in the metro area where anglers may see Bluegill greater than 9 inches.

Extremely high numbers of Black Crappie were sampled with gill nets (120.8/net) and trap nets (66.6/net). Despite high numbers, the 2021 catch rates were similar to previous surveys on Cedar. There were 863 Black Crappie sampled during the 2021 survey, with an average length of 8.8 inches and the largest measured at 12.9 inches. Despite high numbers, size indices reveal a population mainly composed of catchable sized (8+ inches) individuals. Age analysis reveals surprising results with 97% of fish corresponding to one age group, the 2014 year class. The vast majority of Black Crappie in Cedar Lake were 7 years old, averaged 8.8 inches and exhibited slow growth. While Black Crappie fishing on Cedar Lake is currently excellent, having the vast majority of fish correspond to a single year class will likely leave a large void when those fish finally move through the system, that is until a new year class can replace them.

Largemouth Bass are present in Cedar Lake, although targeted boat-electrofishing did not occur during the 2021 survey. Incidental capture with trap and gill nets caught 6 Largemouth Bass, with an average length of 13.6 inches and the largest measured at 20.5 inches.

Yellow Perch were sampled with gill nets (15/net) near the expected catch rate of similar lakes. Average size of Yellow Perch in the 2021 survey was 9.8 inches, with the largest measured at 14.2 inches, both extremely high values compared to other metro lakes. Yellow Perch rarely provide good angling opportunity in the metro due to high abundances and small sizes, however, Cedar Lake is one of the few exceptions.

Other fish species sampled in low abundances were Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead.

What is the average air temp for Cedar Lake?