Minnesota · Lake County
Cedar Lake Fishing guide
Cedar Lake covers 465 acres in Lake County, Minnesota, reaching 45 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 11.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 11 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers10.7per gill net13"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 126 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 126 fish
2020Lengths measured · 95 fish
2012Lengths measured · 132 fish
2006Lengths measured · 134 fish
2002No recent survey rating.
Northern pikeJust a few2.6per gill net20"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 34 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 34 fish
2020Lengths measured · 13 fish
2012Lengths measured · 38 fish
2006Lengths measured · 41 fish
2002No recent survey rating.
No recent survey rating.
Yellow perchJust a few0.8per gill net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 14 fish
Recent · 2020Lengths measured · 14 fish
2020Lengths measured · 162 fish
2012Lengths measured · 30 fish
2006Lengths measured · 110 fish
2002Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Cedar Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 11.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 45 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Smallmouth bass
- Spring
- Smallmouth are on shallow rock, gravel and sand where they spawn. At 11.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Smallmouth are post-spawn on rock points, gravel bars and the adjacent breaks.
- Summer
- Smallmouth are on rock humps, points and hard-bottom breaks. On a lake that drops to 45 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Smallmouth are bunched tight on deep rock, so find one and you have found the school.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Smallmouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 28" | 18" | 26" |
| 2012 | 24" | 18" | 26" |
| 2006 | 26" | 18" | 34" |
| 2002 | 29" | 16" | 28" |
| 1998 | 27" | 18" | 26" |
| 1994 | 24" | — | 33" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 156,000 fry |
| 2024 | Walleye | 156,000 fry |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Temperature and dissolved oxygen measurements were collected from the deepest basin in Cedar Lake on August 1st, 2025. This was done to evaluate the quantity and quality of cold, oxygenated water (i.e., oxythermal habitat) available to Cisco, also known as Tullibee, the most sensitive coldwater species present in this lake. Cisco require a layer of oxythermal habitat that contains water temperatures below 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) and dissolved oxygen concentrations above 3.0 mg/L. Based on data collected from the deepest basin (maximum sampled depth was 42.6 feet), the water temperature decreased to 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) at 14.9 feet and the dissolved oxygen concentration decreased to 3.0 mg/L at 18.7 feet at the time of sampling. This layer in the water column was 3.8 feet, indicating oxythermal habitat for Cisco was present.
Further, the temperature at which dissolved oxygen decreased to 3.0 mg/L (i.e., TDO3, a single variable to characterize oxythermal habitat) was 17.8 degrees C (64.0 degrees F). TDO3 values cooler than 21.2 degrees C (70.2 degrees F) indicate that oxythermal conditions were suitable for Cisco at the time of the survey.
Read the full DNR narrative
Data collected by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during the period of maximum oxythermal stress (July 26th to Aug 24th) in 4 years, between 2006-2024, also indicated suitable oxythermal habitat in all years surveyed, with the least favorable conditions recorded in 2024 when the suitable oxythermal habitat layer was 2.2 feet thick. When adequate oxythermal habitat is not available, Cisco are squeezed into unfavorable, warmer water conditions and experience higher levels of stress.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Cedar Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Cedar Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Cedar Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Cedar Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Browns Lake · 219 ac · 1.6 mi
- Hobo Lake · 74 ac · 1.6 mi
- Fall Lake · 2,259 ac · 2.2 mi
- Low Lake · 316 ac · 2.4 mi
- Bass Lake · 169 ac · 2.8 mi
- Garden Lake · 653 ac · 3.3 mi
- Dry Lake · 82 ac · 3.6 mi
- Little Dry Lake · 15 ac · 3.8 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake reaches 45 ft at its deepest point; about 34% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake covers 465 acres with about 11.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Cedar Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Cedar Lake average 11.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Cedar Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Cedar Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2024.
Does Cedar Lake have a public access?
Yes. Cedar Lake has one public access site: Cedar Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Cedar Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1994.
When was Cedar Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Cedar Lake in 2025, the most recent of 11 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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