Cedar

A temperature-dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected from the main basin to measure the amount of habitat available for Tullibee. The main basin represents the area of Cedar Lake most likely to have adequate conditions for Tullibee survival. The TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was determined to be 5.9 degrees C. Overall oxy-thermal habitat in the main basin was good, with favorable conditions from the surface to a depth of 90 feet. Data collected from 2009-2025 indicate that the main basin has had sufficient thermal habitat for Tullibee survival in each year surveyed and provides good habitat compared to other area lakes that are monitored. Because the Aitkin management area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of cold-water habitat.

A standard survey (20 gill nets) was conducted on Cedar Lake during the week of 8/18/2024 to provide an update of the current fish community. Cedar Lake is a large, popular lake located three miles west of the City of Aitkin. A state-owned public access with a concrete log ramp is located on the south side of the lake, within the Cedar Lake Wildlife Management Area. The shoreline is complex with several distinct basins that provide a variety of habitats ranging from shallow vegetated bays, to cool and deep open water areas. The fish community reflects this diverse habitat, and besides gamefish includes several species of shiners, darters, and minnows. Cedar Lake is managed primarily for Muskellunge and Walleye. Both species are stocked annually as fingerlings to maintain their populations. Muskellunge have been challenging to sample in Cedar Lake due to their low density and general morphology of the lake. Cedar Lake is connected to the Mississippi River, which is native Muskellunge water, via Cedar Brook. With the exception of 2005, 2020, 2021 and 2023, Muskellunge have been stocked annually since 1994, and this stocking currently supports a popular recreational fishery. Department Covid-19 protocols prohibited Muskellunge egg take activities in 2020, and there were statewide shortages of Muskellunge fingerlings in 2021 and 2023. Muskellunge are not captured well in standard survey gear, so springtime sampling with special large frame trap nets is conducted every other survey to target Muskellunge moving into shallow water. A Muskie survey was completed in early May 2024 with a total of 15 Muskellunge sampled and 2 recaptured. Muskie ranged in size from 33.7 to 46.9 inches with an average length of 39.4 inches. There were 14 males and 1 female in the sample. The Cedar Lake Muskie fishery will continue to be evaluated on a regular basis (2030, 2036, 2042) to increase our knowledge of Muskellunge behavior in these waters and determine appropriate stocking guidelines. The 2024 Walleye gill net catch rate (1.4 per net) was below the management goal of 3.0 Walleye per net, but still in the typical range when compared to similar lakes and previous catches on Cedar Lake. Similar to previous surveys, size structure was good. Walleye in gill nets averaged 20.4 inches and 2.9 pounds, with fish up to 28.4 inches observed. While Walleye may not be overly abundant, their population has a quality-size component, with fish over 30.0 inches sampled on a regular basis. Walleye captured in large trap nets during the spring Muskie survey averaged 22.0 inches and ranged from 14.4 to 30.2 inches. Gill net-caught Walleye ranged in age from 3 to 15 years old with 10 year classes present. In previous surveys, we have documented Walleye living as long as 20 years in Cedar Lake. Largemouth Bass are another popular species targeted by anglers and not sampled well with standard survey nets, so their populations are often evaluated using nighttime electrofishing. Night electrofishing was conducted on 5/13/2024 and yielded a catch rate of 61.5 per hour, which was higher than previous assessments. The average size of Largemouth Bass was 11.8 inches, with fish up to 18.0 inches observed in the sample. The Largemouth Bass gill net catch rate was also the highest ever observed at 2.1 per net, with an average length of 12.7 inches and maximum length of 16.3 inches. During the 2021 Bass electrofishing survey, the first Smallmouth Bass was observed in Cedar Lake. In 2024, two Smallmouth Bass were observed in other gear types. One fish was observed during spring Muskie sampling and measured 13.0 inches, while another was observed in a gill net and measured 14.9 inches. Cedar Lake has a direct connection to the Mississippi River through Cedar Brook. It's expected that the Smallmouth Bass population will steadily increase over time based on other newer populations in area lakes that are also connected to the Mississippi River. The Northern Pike population provides anglers yet another opportunity to catch a top predator. While not able to attain the same maximum size as Muskellunge, Northern Pike in Cedar Lake have a decent size structure with fish averaging 1.9 pounds, and individuals up to 31.7 inches were observed in this year's survey. A majority of the fish were under 22.0 inches, while approximately 11 percent were greater than 26.0 inches. Black Crappie have historically been the preferred species for panfish anglers at Cedar Lake because they tend to reach an acceptable harvest size more regularly than the lake's Bluegill. The Crappie fishery can be highly variable and generally fluctuates based on spawning success. In 2024, Black Crappie were captured with gill nets above the typical rate compared to lakes with similar habitat and within the range of historical catches. Crappie length averaged 8.5 inches, with fish up to 11.1 inches sampled in gill nets and fish up to 13.9 inches sampled during the spring Muskellunge survey in large frame trap nets. Age analysis of gill net and large trap net caught fish revealed fish ages from 2 to 13 years old with one year class missing (2013 year class, age 11). The 2020 year class appeared to be quite strong with an average size of 8.5 inches at the time of the standard survey and should provide good fishing opportunity within a few years. The lake is also known for its abundant Tullibee/Cisco population. Tullibee can be found in deep, cool, oxygen rich areas of the lake in the summer and can be found almost anywhere in the lake as temperatures allow during the fall, winter, and spring. The species provides an important, nutrient rich forage base for the lake's gamefish. A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected from the main basin to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The main basin represents the area most likely to have adequate conditions for Tullibee survival. Overall oxy-thermal habitat in the main basin was good, with favorable conditions occurring from 20 to 69 feet deep. Data collected from 2009-2024 indicate the main basin has had sufficient thermal habitat for Tullibee survival in each year surveyed and provides "good" habitat compared to other area lakes that are monitored. Because the Aitkin area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of cold-water habitat. Anglers are reminded to follow current MN-DNR Aquatic Invasive Species guidelines as described in the MN fishing regulations handbook in order to prevent the spread of unwanted invasive species. In 2021, Cedar Lake was added to the list of lakes infested with Zebra Mussels, and in spring 2024 Rusty Crayfish were found by the Aitkin fisheries crew when sampling for Muskellunge.

A temperature - dissolved oxygen (TDO) profile was collected from the main basin (WQ1) to measure the amount of thermal habitat available for Tullibee. The main basin represents the area most likely to have adequate conditions for Tullibee survival and the TDO3 (temperature at 3 mg/l dissolved oxygen) was calculated at 4.8 degrees C, which was at 75 feet. In some years, Cedar Lake can exhibit a complex stratification, where the TDO3 can occur at several spots in the water column. Overall oxy-thermal habitat in the main basin was very good, being suitable for Tullibee from 12 feet to 90 feet. Similar profiles were observed in other area lakes as well. Data collected from 2009-2023 indicate the main basin typically has had sufficient thermal habitat for Tullibee survival in each year surveyed and provides "good" habitat compared to other area lakes that are monitored. Because the Aitkin Area is located near the southern edge of Minnesota's Tullibee range, TDO profiles should continue to be collected to monitor the availability of coldwater habitat.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Northern Pike in Cedar. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Cedar. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Cedar has a maximum depth of 105 feet and a mean depth of 28 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cedar is from 2024.

Yes — Cedar has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.