Cedar

Cedar Lake is a 95-acre lake located 3.5 miles northeast of the City of Melrose. The lake is moderately productive and has a maximum depth of 36 feet. The watershed is 1,503 acres and consists primarily of cultivated crops (36%). Water clarity is good with a Secchi depth reading of 10.5 feet in June. Additionally, the University of Minnesota has documented a seven-year average Secchi depth of 11.9 feet in June. Dissolved oxygen supported fish down to 19 feet, slightly shallower than the previous survey in 2010 (23 feet). There is a DNR owned public access located on the east side of the lake. A standard survey was conducted in 2025 to update information last collected in 2010. Anglers can expect quality fishing for Northern Pike, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass. Northern Pike numbers (3.7/gill net) were lower than both the 2010 survey (6.7/gill net) and historical average (5.8 gill/net) but were within the expected values for similar lakes. Sampled pike ranged in length from 16.7-33.1 inches, with a mean length and weight of 23.8 inches and 3.1 pounds. Only 12 pike were sampled, 25% of which were 26 inches or longer and 8% were 30 inches or longer. The Bluegill catch (16.8/trap net) was less than both the 2010 survey (22.3/trap net) and the historical average (29.1/trap net) but within the expected values for similar lakes. Sampled Bluegill ranged in length from 3-8.8 inches, with a mean length of six inches. Sixty percent of Bluegill were six inches or longer and 3% were eight inches or longer. Largemouth Bass were sampled via daytime electrofishing on April 25, 2025. A total of 15 bass were sampled in 1.13 hours (13.3/hour). Sampled bass ranged in length from 6-18.8 inches, with a mean length and weight of 14.7 inches and 1.9 pounds. Black Crappie numbers (0.3/trap net) were less than both the 2010 survey (0.2/gill net) and the historical average (1.1/trap net). Catch rates were less than the expected values for similar fisheries. Crappie were also sampled in gill nets (4/net). Sampled crappie ranged in length from 4.2-8.6 inches, with a mean length of 5.9 inches. Thirteen percent of crappie were eight inches or longer. A low sample size may poorly reflect the Black Crappie population. No Walleye were sampled during this assessment. Walleye are not stocked by the DNR, but they are stocked almost annually by the Freeport Sportsman's Club, most recently in 2025. Other species sampled include: Black Bullhead, Brown Bullhead, Emerald Bowfin, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.

Cedar Lake is a 90 acre lake located 3.5 miles northeast of Melrose in Stearns County. It has an average depth of 8.1 feet, and a maximum depth of 36 feet. Cedar Lake supports a diverse aquatic vegetation community, and much of the shoreline is protected by emergent plants. Principal game fish species include northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. A public access is located on the east side, but fishing pressure appears to be low. Cedar Lake has relatively good water quality and is largely undeveloped due to extensive cattail stands and large areas of shallow wetland. The catch rate of northern pike in 2010 (6.7/gill net) was consistent with lakes of similar characteristics. Northern pike ranged in length from 10 to 30.5 inches, with an average length and weight of 22 inches and three pounds. Seven year classes of northern pike were sampled, however, most of the pike were age 5 or younger. Growth rates for both male and female pike were faster than statewide averages. Forty-five percent of northern pike sampled in gill nets were greater than 24 inches in length. A local sportsman's club stocked walleye fingerlings in Cedar Lake (1,000 fingerlings in both 2004 and 2005, and 2,200 fingerlings in 2008). The success of these stocking efforts appears limited as no walleye were caught during this survey. The catch rate of yellow perch in 2010 (2.7/ gill net) was similar to previous surveys and remained below the expected range. Yellow perch averaged about six inches in length and growth rates were consistent with statewide averages. Largemouth bass sampled in Cedar Lake were mostly small and grew slowly. The catch rate was about half the average for the Montrose management area. Largemouth bass ranged in length from 5 to 20 inches and averaged 11 inches in length. One 18 inch largemouth bass was determined to be 11 years old. Even though the catch rate of largemouth bass in Cedar Lake was less than other lakes in the area, previous electrofishing performed at night have yielded high catch rates. Given their small size and relatively slow growth rates it is thought that largemouth bass are still abundant in Cedar Lake. Bluegill were the most abundant species caught in the survey. The catch rate was within the expected range for this lake type. The average size (6.5 inches and one quarter pound) was near the expected, and a few large bluegill (over eight inches) were captured as well. Bluegill grew relatively slow, taking between seven and eight years to reach six inches in length. As in previous surveys, few black crappie were caught; but the average size (ten inches) was high. The largest crappie sampled was eleven inches long. Only one yellow and one black bullhead were sampled by gill nets in 2010 compared to relatively higher catches in the past. Similar declines in bullhead catches were also seen in trap nets. Other species sampled in low numbers included brown bullheads, bowfin, hybrid sunfish, and pumpkinseed sunfish. Anglers can help to preserve the fishery in Cedar Lake by selectively harvesting smaller gamefish and releasing larger ones. Harvesting smaller fish may allow the others to grow faster; and larger predators help prevent the smaller fish from overpopulating the lake and becoming stunted.

Cedar Lake is located 3.5 miles northeast of Melrose in Stearns County. It has an area of 90 acres, an average depth of 8.1 feet, and a maximum depth of 36 feet. Principal game fish species include northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish, and bullheads. A public access is located on the east side, but fishing pressure appears to be low. Cedar Lake has relatively good water quality and is largely undeveloped due to extensive cattail stands and large areas of shallow wetland.Northern pike are abundant, grow slowly, and are relatively small. Most pike captured were 4-6 years old, average length was 17 inches, and the largest pike caught was 22.3 inches. The catch rate in trap nets for pike was typical for lakes similar to Cedar and their growth was slow compared to statewide averages. A few small yellow perch were captured during the survey, but pike probably lack enough suitable prey to grow quickly in Cedar Lake.Largemouth bass sampled in Cedar Lake were mostly small and grew slowly. The catch rate was near the average for the Montrose management area, but the average length was only 8.1 inches. Most bass were 2-5 years old and 5-11 inches long. The largest bass captured was 17.2 inches long and estimated to be eight years old.Bluegill were the most abundant species caught in the survey, although their catch rate was within the expected range for this lake type. Bluegill growth was average, but average size (5.1 inches) was smaller than expected, although a few large bluegill (over 8 inches) were captured as well. Few black crappie were caught, but the average size (8.3 inches) was high and the largest crappie was 12.1 inches. Bullhead catch rates were typical, as was average size. Yellow bullheads were more numerous and averaged 0.47 pounds, whereas black bullheads averaged 0.65 pounds. Pumpkinseed sunfish, green sunfish, and hybrid sunfish were also caught during the survey, as were brown bullhead and bowfin.Anglers can help improve the fishery by selectively harvesting smaller gamefish and releasing larger ones. There are currently too many smaller sunfish and pike and too few larger pike and bass. Harvesting smaller fish may allow the others to grow faster; larger predators help prevent the smaller fish from overpopulating the lake and becoming stunted.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Hybrid Sunfish 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 36 feet and a mean depth of 8.1 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Cedar is from 2025.

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.