Cedar Lake Fishing guide

Gill nets sampled moderate numbers of Northern Pike (61) for a catch rate of 6.8/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake and was tied for the second highest catch ever recorded at Cedar. The 2009 LMP's long range goal (> 1.2 and 3.0/net) was met. The 2008 TN catch rate was 19.6/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2018 (n=8) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 44.0/net with an average of 11.7. Trap netted Black Crappie were 3.4 to 9.8 inches long with an average of 6.5. Only 13% of the TN catch was 9 inches or longer, indicating a low quality size structure. Gill nets sampled moderate numbers of Black Crappie (57) for a catch rate of 6.3/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2008 GN catch rate was similar at 6.1/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2018 (n=8) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 45.6/net with an average of 7.8. Gill netted Black Crappie were 4.1 to 8.9 inches long with an average of 6.5. Approximately 21% of the GN catch was 8 inches or longer, indicating a population dominated by small fish. Black Crappie were not aged, but length frequency distributions indicated that multiple year classes were present. Black Crappie have never been stocked into Cedar Lake.

Trap nets sampled high numbers of Bluegill (215) for a catch rate of 43.0/net, which was above the lake's normal range and the highest catch rate ever recorded at Cedar. The 2009 LMP's long range goal for Bluegill (>1.1 and <14.9) was not met (too high). The 2008 TN catch rate was 1.9/net. Catch rates from 1975 to 2018 (n=8) were highly variable, ranging from 0.0 to 43.0/net, with an average of 7.0. In 2018, TN Bluegill were 3.6 to 6.7 inches long with an average of 5.1. Approximately 17% of the TN catch was 6 inches or longer, indicating a poor size structure. Bluegill were not aged. Data indicated that multiple year classes were present. Bluegill were intolerant to low oxygen levels and numbers can fluctuate widely at Cedar Lake depending on the latest winterkill event. Bluegill have never been stocked into Cedar Lake.

Spring night-time electrofishing sampled high numbers (116) of Largemouth Bass for a catch rate of 43.5/hour of sampling. The 2009 LMP's long range goal (maintain presence) was met. The 2008 catch rate was 10.5/hour. Historical EF catch rates (n=3) from 1998 to 2018 ranged from 10.5 to 55.1/hour with an average of 36.4. In 2018, Largemouth Bass were 4.5 to 17.2 inches long with an average of 11.0. Approximately 43% of the EF sample was 13 inches or longer, indicating a moderate size structure. Largemouth Bass were not aged, but the size distribution data indicated that most of the 13.0 to 14.9 inch fish were likely from the 2014 year class. Only 1 longer fish (17.2 inches) was sampled, probably indicating that few Largemouth Bass survived the 2014 Cedar Lake winterkill. Largemouth Bass immigrants, from connected Belle Lake, likely helped repopulate Cedar following the 2014 winterkill. Largemouth Bass have never been stocked into Cedar.

Gill nets sampled low numbers of Yellow Perch (13) for a catch rate of 1.4/net, which was below the lake's normal range and the second lowest catch rate ever recorded at Cedar. The 2008 catch rate was similar (1.3/net). Catch rates from 1975 to 2018 (n=8) were highly variable, ranging from 1.3 to 82.9/net with an average of 27.0. Yellow Perch have not been sampled in high numbers since 1998 (82.9/net). Gill netted Yellow Perch were 5.5 to 9.7 inches long with an average of 6.4. Only 1 fish was over 7 inches in length. Trap nets captured higher numbers (44) of Yellow Perch, ranging in length from 4.7 to 6.6 inches. Yellow Perch were not aged, but data indicated inconsistent recruitment.

Trap nets sampled low numbers of Common Carp (6) for a catch rate of 1.2/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. The 2008 catch rate was 6.6/net. Historic catch rates (n=8) from 1975 to 2018 were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 14.5/net with an average of 3.7. Trap netted Common Carp were 15.4 to 26.6 inches long with an average of 19.5. Gill nets sampled high numbers of Common Carp (38) for a catch rate of 4.2/net, which was within the normal range for this type of lake. Historic GN catch rates (n=8) were variable, ranging from 0.0 to 15.2/net with an average of 3.4. Gill netted Common Carp were 13.6 to 31.2 inches long with an average of 19.2. Size distribution data indicated that multiple year classes were present. High numbers of Common Carp, over the years, have likely had significant negative impacts on submergent plant abundance and water quality in Cedar Lake. Common Carp would be difficult to control, in Cedar, due to the lake's highly connected watershed (Belle Lake, Harden Lake, Hoff Lake, and the South Fork of the Crow River).

Gill nets sampled high numbers (1,006) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 111.8/net, which was above the normal range for this type of lake. Black Bullhead dominated the GN catch in 2018. The 2008 catch rate was 9.1/net. Historic GN catch rates from 1975 to 2018 (n=8) were mostly high, ranging from 9.1 to 218.3/net with an average of 93.1, as would be expected in a lake that winterkills. Black Bullhead were well made to survive low oxygen levels, and typically exhibit excellent reproduction following a significant winterkill. Gill netted Black Bullhead were 5.1 to 14.7 inches long with an average of 7.1. The majority of the fish were under 8 inches in length, indicating a poor size structure. Trap nets sampled high numbers (213) of Black Bullhead for a catch rate of 42.6/net which was within the normal range for this lake type. Trap netted Black Bullhead were 5.9 to 11.7 inches long with an average of 8.2.

Additional species sampled in the standard gear included; Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.