Cedar

Cedar Lake (DOW#49-0140-00: Lake Class 23) is a 236 acre lake located near Upsala, Minnesota. A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned concrete boat ramp is located on the south shoreline. Cedar Lake has 3.41 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 88 feet. The lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike and secondarily for Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass. The lake was initially surveyed in 1959, and 49 sampling surveys or investigations have occurred since. In this assessment seven standard lake survey trap nets were used to evaluate the Northern Pike regulation. The Northern Pike regulation was modified in 2018 to a 26-inch maximum and a three fish bag limit, due to an increasing abundance of small pike and an apparent decrease in large pike. In the previous survey, the 2023 ice-out catch was low. For the 2025 ice-out survey one additional net was added and all original nets were set three times to have a better chance of capturing more fish. With additional effort the 2025 ice-out survey resulted in a low catch. The low sample size obtained in 2025 suggests caution regarding its accuracy in representing the pike population. It's unlikely the low catch is the product of a reduced pike density. The mean length, mean weight, maximum length, percentage greater than 24 inches, and the percentage over 30 inches were all well below historical levels. Two Pike exceeding 30 inches were observed in the 2025 ice-out assessment, which is the first time since 2015 that any Pike observed exceeding 30 inches. The reasons for the decline in pike size structure characteristics are not well understood, tough the past protection of nearly all pike in the lake under 40 inch appears to have resulted in an increased abundance of small pike. The modification of pike regulations in 2018 to a 26-inch maximum length was designed to protect larger pike while facilitating harvest of smaller pike. Seven Walleye were captured in the 2025 ice-out assessment ranging from 21.7 to 26.5 inches. Mean weight was large at 5.43 pounds which is higher than the typical for these early spring efforts. Gill nets in 2021 captured 5.83 Walleyes per lift, suggesting a favorable population level. The Black Crappies sample consisted of 36 fish ranging from 5.4 to 14 inches. Mean length was 11 inches; however, the most numerous size group was 11.0-11.49 inches. The larger catches in recent years and the continued presence of crappies in the 14-inch size range are encouraging. Future Black Crappie evaluations will include targeted spring electrofishing. Largemouth Bass and Bluegill were also measured in 2025 with the bass sample comprised of 17 fish from 8.2 to 19.3 inches in length. A total of 18 Bluegills were measured, which ranged in length from 5.8 to 8.8 inches.

Cedar Lake (DOW# 49-0140-00) is a 235-acre lake near Upsala, Minnesota. The lake is primarily managed for Walleyes and Northern Pike and secondarily Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. In 2024, the fall survey night electrofishing was used to evaluate the spring Walleye stocking of 100,000 fry. This was the first year of fry stocking in Cedar Lake. In previous years Walleye fingerlings were stocked every odd year from 2009 through 2023. Fry were stocked in 2024 to evaluate if there was an increase in survival of young of the year Walleye compared to stocked Walleye fingerlings. The young of the year Walleye catch rate was 5.14/hr. for a total of 6 young of the year Walleye. Due to the appearance of young of year Walleye in the 2024 sampling, fry stocking will likely continue during even numbered years. Fingerling stocking will be practiced during odd numbered years. There were 9 yearling/adult Walleyes captured during the fall electrofishing with a catch rate of 7.71/hr. Future surveys will need to be conducted to evaluate the success of the fry reaching adulthood. While electrofishing for young of the year Walleye several other species were seen. There were an abundance of juvenile Bluegills, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappies. There were several adult fish observed including Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Bullheads, Northern Pike, Bowfin, and White Suckers.

In this assessment, six standard lake survey trap nets were used to evaluate the Northern Pike regulation which was modified in 2018 to a 26 inch maximum, three fish bag limit due to an increasing abundance of small pike and an apparent decrease in large pike. The 2023 ice-out resulted in a low catch that appeared to indicate a continuation of the reduced size structure of Northern Pike first observed in 2015. The low sample size obtained in 2023 suggests caution with regard to its accuracy in representing the pike population. It is unlikely the low catch is the product of a reduced pike density. Mean length, mean weight, maximum length, %>24 inches, and %>30 inches were all well below historical levels resulting in record lows for ice-out assessments. No Pike exceeding 30 inches have been observed since 2015. The reasons for the decline in pike size structure characteristics are not well understood, though the past protection of nearly all pike in the lake under the 40 inch minimum appears to have resulted in an increased abundance of small pike. The modification of pike regulations in 2018 to a 26 inch maximum length was designed to protect larger fish while facilitating harvest of smaller pike. Ice-out assessments will be conducted every four years to evaluate changes in pike size structure and progress towards management goals. Five Walleye were captured in the 2023 ice-out assessment ranging in length from 18.1 to 23.4 inches. Mean weight was fairly large at 2.94 pounds which has been typical for these early spring efforts. Gill nets in 2021 captured 5.83 Walleyes per lift suggesting a favorable population level. The Black Crappie sample consisted of 66 fish ranging in size from 4.2 to 14 inches. Mean length was 10.3 inches, however the most numerous size group was 11.5-11.99 inches. The larger catches in recent years and the continued presence of crappies in the 14 inch size range are encouraging. Future crappie evaluations may include targeted spring electrofishing. Largemouth Bass and Bluegill were also measured in 2023 with the bass sample comprised of eight fish from 9.5 to 18.1 inches in length. A total of 38 Bluegill were measured which ranged in length from 3.4 to 7.9 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Black Crappie 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 88 feet and a mean depth of 39 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cedar is from 2021.

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