Cedar Lake Fishing guide

Cedar Lake is designated as an Area tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of every 3 years. The 2025 survey was completed the week of July 28, 2025, using 8 gill nets, 12 trap nets, and 66 minutes of boat electrofishing. Water quality parameters were also measured.

Black Crappies were among the most abundant fish in the 2025 survey with a total of 133 sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 16.6/net. Black Crappie ranged from 0.9 inches to 10.1 inches with an average of 8.0 inches. Black Crappie were also sampled in trap nets with a catch rate of 9.3/net with lengths ranging from 4.1 inches to 13.4 inches. Black Crappie from both gears ranged from age-1 to age-5 with 5 year-classes present. Black Crappie growth was relatively slow. Black Crappie recruitment remains high and consistent in Cedar Lake, but growth and size structure are poor.

Bluegills were the most abundant fish sampled with the trap nets with a total of 429 and a catch rate of 35.8/net. Bluegill ranged from 0.6 to 8.0 inches with an average of 5.2 inches. Bluegills were also common in the gill net sample with a catch rate of 24.1/net and lengths ranging from 3.9 to 8.0 inches. Bluegills ranged from age-1 to age-6 with 6 year-classes present. Age-2 to age-4 groups were all well represented, indicating strong and consistent recruitment. Bluegills are a draw to Cedar Lake for anglers looking for a meal of fish.

A total of 54 Largemouth Bass were sampled using targeted boat electrofishing during the spring of 2025 for a catch rate of 48.9/hour. Largemouth Bass catch rates rebounded in 2025 after steadily dropping in 5 previous samples from a high of 56.0/hour in 2004. Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.2 inches to 20.6 inches with an average of just 10.0 inches. Fish ranged from age-1 to age-6 with 6 year-classes represented suggesting recruitment was consistent year to year. Cedar Lake continues to support a strong Largemouth Bass fishery due to plentiful high-quality habitat and prey.

A total of 22 Northern Pike were sampled with gill nets for a catch rate of 2.8/net, down from 4.7/net in 2022. Catch rates have varied from 0.2/net to 11.2/net with an average of 3.2/net since 1996. Northern Pike ranged from 19.8 inches to 34.8 inches with an average of 24.3 inches. Although Northern Pike numbers may be lower than previous surveys, the quality size of these fish should draw anglers.

Walleye numbers remained low in 2025 with a catch rate of 1.0/net. Walleye ranged from 21.0 inches to 28.6 inches with an average of 24.0 inches. All Walleye were from the 2014 year class (age-11). Although Walleye numbers are low in Cedar Lake, there are some quality fish available to catch.

Very few Yellow Perch were sampled in 2025 with a trap net catch rate of 0.1/net and a gill net catch rate of1.8/net. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for predator fish, and their scarcity may be partially responsible for the ongoing struggles to improve the Cedar Lake Walleye fishery.

Yellow Bullhead were the most common of the bullhead species in 2025 (14.8/gill net) and Black Bullhead present at a rate of 0.3/ gill net. Yellow Bullheads averaged 11.9 inches with a maximum of 15.9 inches. Cedar Lake offers an excellent opportunity for those targeting large bullheads, if such an angler exists.

No Common Carp were sampled with gill nets and only 6 were sampled with trap nets in 2025. Catch ratches have remained low with an average of just 1.1/net since 1996. Negative impacts to lake habitat and water quality are likely negligible at such low levels but their presence remains a concern.

Other species sampled in 2025 include Bigmouth Buffalo, Bowfin (dogfish), Freshwater Drum (sheepshead), Golden Shiner, Pumpkinseed, White Bass, and White Crappie.

Water clarity was poor with a secchi depth of just 2.0 feet. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature readings ranged from 10.5 ppm and 80.1 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.1 ppm and 63.7 degrees Fahrenheit at 27 feet. A thermocline was detected around 15 feet.

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.

-Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist