Cedar

Cedar is a 164-acre lake located in Minneapolis. It is the most upstream of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes; downstream and connected are Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska. A city park, maintained by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, surrounds the majority of the lake. This public land provides ample shorefishing opportunities, including a fishing pier. Cedar has multiple locations to carry in small craft, and larger boats can access from the Bde Maka Ska boat ramp and travelling through two channels and Lake of the Isles. Motors are restricted to electric only on the entire chain. There are three swimming beaches on the lake, and it is a popular spot for swimmers and paddlers during the summer. Cedar Lake is infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. A Standard Survey was conducted in the summer of 2024 to assess the gamefish populations of Cedar Lake. During this survey, water clarity was 5.5 feet, and dissolved oxygen became too low for fish in 13 feet of water. Cedar is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Muskellunge; however, sampling gears targeting these species were not used in 2024. Muskellunge are stocked into Cedar on an every-other-year basis. In 2024, Cedar received a stocking of adult Black Crappie as part of an urban fishing program. Two Largemouth Bass were incidentally sampled in gill nets in 2024, and both of the fish were 15 inches long. Cedar Lake has good quality habitat for Largemouth Bass, and there is likely a healthy population of the species. Northern Pike numbers have been good in recent years, and they tend to be medium-sized. Fish averaged 22.4 inches and 2.6 pounds, ranging in size from 13.2 to 28.3 inches. In Cedar, anglers have a shot at both fish smaller than 22 inches, of which they can harvest 10, as well as fish exceeding 26 inches, of which they can harvest two. Bluegill abundance was high in 2024, but size of the fish tended to be small. Average size was 5.5 inches and 0.13 pounds. Thirty percent of the fish were larger than 6 inches, with the largest fish measuring 7.1 inches. Black Crappie were sampled in low numbers compared to lakes similar to Cedar. The fish tended to be on the small side, as only 10% of the sampled fish were larger than 8 inches. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Cedar is a 164-acre lake located in west-central Minneapolis. It is the most upstream of three popular, familiar lakes in Minneapolis; downstream and connected are, in order, Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska. A city park, maintained by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, surrounds the majority of the lake. This public land provides ample shorefishing opportunities, including a fishing pier. Cedar has multiple locations to carry in small craft, and larger boats can access from the Bde Maka Ska boat ramp and travelling through two channels and Lake of the Isles. Motors are restricted to electric only on the entire chain. There are three swimming beaches on the lake, and it is a popular spot for swimmers and paddlers during the summer. Cedar Lake is infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. Cedar is primarily managed for Largemouth Bass and Muskellunge; however, 2019 sampling did not target these species. Several Largemouth Bass were incidentally captured in gill nets. The fish ranged in size from 9.0 inches to 19.8 inches, with an average size of 14.4 inches and 1.82 pounds. No Muskellunge were caught in 2019. Walleye were stocked in Cedar Lake between 2005 and 2015. However, the fish have been present in low numbers in the lake for decades, and stockings did not consistently boost Walleye amounts sampled during these past few surveys. Walleye seem to migrate into Cedar via the connection to Bde Maka Ska, which has been stocked with Walleye since the 1970's. Fish sampled in 2019 ranged between 17.8 and 24.3 inches and averaged 20.1 inches and 2.87 pounds. Northern Pike have been increasing in abundance in recent years, and their size is good. Fish averaged 24.3 inches and 3.24 pounds, ranging from 15.2 to 31.7 inches. Cedar Lake would be a good spot for anglers hoping to take advantage of the new Northern Pike regulation. Anglers have a shot at both fish smaller than 22 inches, of which they can harvest 10, as well as fish exceeding 26 inches, of which they can harvest two. All Northern Pike between 22 and 26 inches must be immediately released. Bluegill abundance was high in 2019, but size of the fish tended to be small. Average size was 5.4 inches and 0.12 pounds. Twenty-seven percent of the fish were larger than 6 inches. While no trap netted Bluegill exceeded 8 inches, a few larger individuals were sampled in gill nets. A Black Crappie die-off occurred during the summer sampling of 2019. The fish were caught in the trap nets at a high rate, possibly due to their distressed condition. Black Crappie ranged in length from 3.5 to 11.5 inches, and averaged 6.8 inches and 0.18 pounds. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Common Carp, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker, Yellow Perch, and Yellow Bullhead.

Cedar is a 169-acre lake located in west-central Minneapolis. It is most upstream in what is known as "the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes." Parkland, maintained by the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, surrounds the majority of the lake. This public land provides ample shorefishing opportunities. Cedar has multiple locations to carry in small craft, and larger boats can access from the Lake Calhoun boat ramp and travelling through two channels and Lake of the Isles. Motors are restricted to electric only on the entire chain. Maximum depth of Cedar Lake is 51 feet and water clarity in early July was 4.2 feet. At that time, the lake was strongly stratified with poor (<2 ppm) dissolved oxygen below 12 feet. The water level was high due to record June rainfall. A population assessment was conducted during July 2014 to determine the species composition and abundance of game fish. Despite not being stocked, Walleye have been present in low numbers in Cedar Lake for decades. The lake has benefited from the connection to Lake Calhoun, which has been stocked with Walleye since the 1970's. Though, beginning in 2005, Walleye fingerlings have been stocked directly into Cedar Lake in odd numbered years. The previous survey in 2009 netted 3.8 Walleye per gill net which was nearly double the number caught in any previous surveys. However, in the 2014 survey, Walleye abundance was low (0.5/net) and more typical of that found in Cedar in previous surveys (excluding 2009). The four Walleye sampled were 18.4, 21.2, 22.1 and 25.4 inches. Three Walleye were aged and all were from year classes (2007, 2009) stocked directly in to Cedar Lake. Low Walleye numbers in the 2014 survey may indicate poor survival of stocked fingerlings or suggest they migrated to Lake of the Isles and/or Calhoun. Northern Pike abundance has been historically low in Cedar, averaging 1.6/ gill net over the previous 5 surveys. Although, in 2014, 4.5/net were sampled, which is higher than average for the lake and greater than average when compared to other similar lakes. Even with an increased abundance, size structure of the pike population has remained relatively favorable. Fish averaged 4.5 lbs and 26.3 inches, ranging from 13.0 to 35.8 inches. Twenty-seven Northern Pike were sampled and 8 (29.6%) were 28 inches or longer and 2 (7.4%) were 35 inches or longer. Cedar Lake usually has high numbers of small Bluegill compared to other similar lakes in the state. Compared to the previous 5 surveys, the 2014 catch (22.0/trap net) was below average (82.2/net), but size was still small. Bluegill sampled in trap nets averaged 5.4 inches and 0.09 lbs. They ranged from 3.1 to 6.6 inches, with only 15.6% longer than 6 inches and none 7 inches or larger; only two of 7-inch size were caught in gillnets. Black Crappie numbers have been moderately low and relatively consistent over time. In 2014, they were sampled at a rate of 3.3/trap net. The average over the previous 5 surveys was 3.9/net, ranging from 2.1 to 6.0/net. Black Crappie size has been consistently small in Cedar as well, averaging 0.13 lbs over the last 5 surveys. The average crappie was larger in 2014 at 0.18 lbs; however, this is still considered small. Average length was 7.2 inches, the largest measured 9.3 inches, and 16.7% were longer than 8 inches. Yellow Perch catch was low and well below the average when compared to other similar lakes. Size was small; mean length was 6.7 inches and the largest measured 7.8 inches. Twenty-nine percent were between 7 and 7.8 inches. Cedar Lake was stocked with hybrid (Tiger) Muskellunge approximately every third year from 1982 to 2007. After 2007, management strategies changed and stocking switched to pure-strain (Leech Lake broodstock) Muskellunge. The current plan calls for stocking 63 Muskellunge fingerlings every other year. Since the standard summer survey methods are not designed to extensively evaluate a Muskellunge population, sampling no Muskellunge in 2014 was not surprising. (Spring trap nets are the preferred gear for Muskellunge assessments.) It is likely a population exists in Cedar Lake due to its stocking history and connection to Lake Calhoun, which has an established Muskellunge fishery. Passive sampling gear, such as trap and gill nets, are not effective methods for collecting Largemouth Bass, so the numbers from the 2014 assessment are not necessarily representative of the population present. Electrofishing is the typical method for Largemouth Bass assessments but was not conducted. Despite this, 5 Largemouth Bass were sampled in the gill nets, considered high for that gear type. Sampled fish ranged from 10.4 to 17.0 inches, averaging 14.0 inches. Other species sampled were Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Muskellunge 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 51 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 Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.