Cedar Lake
About Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is a 902-acre lake near Warsaw in Rice County, Minnesota. It reaches 42 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 11.3 miles of shoreline. By surface area it ranks No. 3 among the 17 Rice County lakes in this directory. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Le Mieux Resort & Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 62 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Cedar Lake
- 902 acres, up to 42 feet deep, near Warsaw
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 2 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Le Mieux Resort & Campground
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 902 acres
- Max depth
- 42 ft
- Shoreline
- 11.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 673 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping: Le Mieux Resort & Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 18
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 4
- Years of record
- 62
- Earliest
- March 1, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 1983
- Most recent
- March 25, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Le Mieux Resort & Campground is mapped on or near Cedar Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Cedar Lake
Compare Cedar Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Cedar Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Cedar Lake ranks among boating lakes nearby.
See how Cedar Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Cedar Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Cedar Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Caron Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Kilkenny319 acres
2.1 miles away
Hunt Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville176 acres
2.6 miles away
Rice Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville331 acres
3.6 miles away
French Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault876 acres
3.6 miles away
Cannon Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Faribault1,593 acres
3.6 miles away
Roberds Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreRice · Shieldsville632 acres
4.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake is in Rice County, Minnesota, near Warsaw. It covers 902 acres and reaches 42 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake covers 902 acres with about 11.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 42 feet.
What fish can you catch at Cedar Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and White Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Cedar Lake?
Yes. Cedar Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Cedar Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Cedar Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Cedar Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Cedar Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Cedar Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 4, from 62 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 1, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 1983.
Can you camp at Cedar Lake?
Yes. Le Mieux Resort & Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Cedar Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Cedar Lake as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.