Cedar

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. 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.

Cedar Lake is a 465 acre lake located four miles northeast of Ely. The main access is a concrete ramp on the northeast part of the lake. Cedar has a maximum depth of 45 feet and at the time of this survey, light green colored water due to a slight algae bloom. Cedar was thermally stratified on July 27, 2020 with a surface temperature of 74 F and a bottom temperature of 48 F. Oxygen levels were adequate for gamefish to a depth of 24 feet. The lake has one inlet that drains a local swamp and the lone outlet to Fall Lake has a rocky, braided channel with logs and debris that limits fish movement. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline are mostly boulder and rubble with some sand and muck in the bays. Vegetation is largely non-existent due to the lake being infested with rusty crayfish. Fish species sampled were walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. The overall gillnet catch rate for all fish combined in 2020 was 18.3 fish/net which was a little below average compared to past catches on the lake. Total yield was 28.2 lbs/net which was also below average compared to past surveys. Fish species sampled in gill nets were walleye, white sucker, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and cisco (tullibee). The overall trapnet catch rate for all fish combined was 5.3 fish/net which was low compared to past surveys. However, total yield was 5.8 lbs/net which was better than average. The 2020 gill nets sampled 96 walleye for a catch rate of 10.7 fish/net. This catch rate was higher than the average of past surveys on Cedar and was very good when compared to other similar lakes in the state. The catch rate was also very good when compared to other walleye lakes in the Tower area. Lengths ranged from 7 to 28 inches with an average of nearly 14 inches, which was similar to past surveys. Walleye growth was good with the average fish taking four years to reach nearly 15 inches. Ages ranged from 1 to 21 years with 71 percent of the fish three years old or younger. The northern pike gill net catch rate was 2.6 fish/net which was near the average compared to past surveys on Cedar and better than average compared to other similar lakes. Lengths ranged from 13 to 27 inches with an average of nearly 22 inches. Sizes were similar to previous surveys. Five smallmouth bass were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 0.6 fish/net which was just below average compared to other similar lakes. Smallmouth were first sampled in 1998 and since that survey have been sampled in every investigation. Sizes were impressive ranging from 16 to 18 inches which were similar to past surveys. Ages ranged from 6 to 10. Three cisco were sampled in gill nets for a catch rate of 0.3 fish/net. Cisco catches have been spotty over the years from Cedar with usually zero or one fish caught. Sizes ranged from 8 to 12 inches. These sizes were similar to past cisco samples from Cedar. White sucker and yellow perch were also sampled in gill nets. Their catch rates and sizes were similar to past surveys. Rusty crayfish were first sampled in 2002. Their numbers have moved from 37.7/gill net in 2006 to 116.7 in 2012 and now a slight decrease to 69.1 in 2020.

Cedar Lake is located approximately 5 miles northeast of Ely. It has a surface area of 472 acres and a maximum depth of 45 feet. There is a concrete boat ramp for public access near the northeast end with a dock and parking for approximately 5 vehicles with trailers. There are no designated campsites on the lake. Cedar Lake has one inlet that drains a local swamp. The outlet, to Fall Lake, has a rocky, braided channel with logs and debris that limits fish movement. Lake bottom substrates along the shoreline of Cedar Lake are mostly boulder and rubble, with some sand. Walleye numbers in 2012 (10.6/gill net) were similar to the long term average for all assessments on this lake. there were 11 year classes of walleye sampled in the survey. Over half the walleye were from the 2009-2011 year classes which will provide a steady supply of fish for future years as they grow into sizes that anglers like to keep. The average walleye sampled was 14.1 inches long and about 4.5 years old but anglers can expect to find a range of fish sizes from 14 to 20 inches. The largest walleye sampled was 24.0 inches long. Northern pike numbers in 2012 (1.3/gill net) were lower than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The average pike sampled was 22.4 inches long and about 5 years old. The largest pike sampled was 26.2 inches long. Yellow perch, smallmouth bass, black crappie , white sucker, and cisco were also sampled in 2012. The largest perch sampled was 10.1 inches and the largest smallmouth was 18.9 inches long. Rusty crayfish are abundant in Cedar Lake after first being observed in the 2002 assessment. They are likely responsible for the decrease in submerged aquatic vegetation since the 1994 survey. Rusty crayfish are a non-native species and illegal to introduce into public waters.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch 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 45 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cedar is from 2020.

No invasive species are on record for Cedar in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.