Cedar Lake (Jackson) Fishing
Jackson County holds this 1,750-acre IDNR-listed lake.
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Cedar Lake (Jackson), the Prairie State snapshot
With 1,750 acres on the IDNR listing, Cedar Lake (Jackson) is a lake in Jackson County. The deepest spot IDNR mentions is 60 feet. Makanda is the nearest Census place, roughly 3 miles from the IDNR map point.
You can put in at 3 boat ramps on the IDNR map. The digest prints site-specific rules for it.
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Amenities IDNR lists at Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Location (IDNR)Cedar Lake is located 5 miles southwest of Carbondale in Jackson County. The City of Carbondale boat access area is located at the end of Cedar Creek Road off of Old Route 51 South. Another boat access area can be found south of Murphysboro off of State Route 127. Follow Boat Dock Road to this ramp.
- Description (IDNR)Cedar Lake is 1750 acres in size with a maximum depth of 60 feet. The northern half of the shoreline is owned by the City of Carbondale. The southern half of the shoreline is surrounded by Shawnee National Forest which is owned by the US Forest Service. There is no marina on Cedar Lake. Kayak rentals are available at the City of Carbondale boat ramp parking area via a vending machine which requires utilizing a …
The IDNR amenity list for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Family FriendlyYes
- Handicap AccessYes – Kayak launch only
- Boat FishingYes – 10 hp limit
- Boat RampsYes
- Boat RentalsNo
- CampingNo
- PicnickingNo
- SkiingNo
- SwimmingYes – Swimming only allowed at designated beach area
- Trout StockingNo
This band carries the IFishIllinois text on Cedar Lake (Jackson) word for word.
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
The IDNR outlook for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
| Species | IDNR rating | IDNR survey note |
|---|---|---|
| Redear Sunfish | Excellent | The redear population is outstanding for a larger lake. Redear sunfish over 9 inches are routinely observed in fisheries surveys. |
| Striped Bass | Average | Striped Bass are stocked into Cedar Lake when available. A total of 2036 Striped Bass (6-inches) were stocked in 2025. Anglers have reported catching Striped Bass in excess of 20 pounds. Cedar Lake offers one of the few… |
| Crappie spp. | Excellent | Cedar Lake has an excellent crappie population consisting of both black and white crappie. Of the crappie collected in the 2025 spring survey, 74% were over 9 inches and 60% were over 10 inches. Another 15% of the… |
| Flathead Catfish | Poor | Flathead catfish are present in Cedar Lake and have been collected in 4 of the last 5 fish surveys. Three flathead catfish (11-32 inches) were collected in the 2025 survey. The largest flathead catfish weighed 16 pounds. |
| Largemouth Bass | Excellent | Of the Largemouth Bass collected during the 2025 spring electrofishing sampling , 38% were in the protected slot limit (14-18 inches) and 11% were over 18 inches in length. This lake's bass population is trending toward… |
| Bluegill | Average | Despite the high density largemouth bass population, the bluegill population structure can only be described as average. A few Bluegill over 8 inches are observed during annual fisheries surveys. |
| Channel Catfish | Good | Twelve channel catfish (18-26 inches) were collected in the 2025 spring survey. Channel catfish (10,900 5.5-inch fish) were stocked in 2025. Channel catfish are stocked into Cedar Lake when available. |
For Cedar Lake (Jackson), IDNR gives redear sunfish a excellent outlook.
Names above trace to IDNR for Cedar Lake (Jackson), not to angler reports.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
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- IDNRCedar Lake has had an overpopulation of smaller bass (less than 14 inches). Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass less than 14 inches from Cedar Lake. This will increase the number and body condition of bass greater than 14 inches.
- Striped Bass are stocked annually when available. If you catch a tagged Striped Bass please call 618-559-5009 with the following information: 5-digit tag number, length of fish, date of catch, and whether or not the fish was released or harvested. Please do not remove the tag if returning the fish to the lake.
- There is a link for the Cedar Lake fish attractor map at the bottom of this page. There were 18-22 PVC porcupine ball fish attractors placed at each of the 30 locations at Cedar Lake. There are also two Shelbyville Cube style fish attractors at each of the 30 locations.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
IDNR-mapped launches at Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Cedar Lake Canoe/Kayak Launchlaunch
- Cedar Lake Carbondale Boat Ramplaunch
- Cedar Lake Pomona Boat Ramplaunch
More public launches that reach Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Crab Orchard Lake Spillway Road Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 9 miles northeast
- Devils Kitchen Lake Main Boat RampDevils Kitchen Lake, 10 miles east
- Crab Orchard Lake West End Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles northeast
- Crab Orchard Lake Playport Marina Boat RampCrab Orchard Lake, 10 miles northeast
- Devils Kitchen Lake Line 13 Boat RampDevils Kitchen Lake, 11 miles east
- Devils Kitchen Lake Line 6 Boat RampDevils Kitchen Lake, 11 miles east
IDNR IFishIllinois map, boat ramp and launch layer of October 2025 (KML; name, waterbody and notes as printed), read November 5, 2026.
Depth maps and contours for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Cedar Lake – Cove HollowIDNR depth map
- Cedar Lake – CreekIDNR depth map
- Cedar Lake HWY 121 AccessIDNR depth map
- Cedar Lake Rocky CreekIDNR depth map
- Cedar Lake DamIDNR depth map
IDNR publishes 5 depth maps for Cedar Lake (Jackson); open them from its IFishIllinois page.
IDNR depth map list, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fish IDNR stocked in Cedar Lake (Jackson)
| Year | Species as listed | Number | Size class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Striped Bass | 2,799 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Bluegill | 34,013 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | 10,900 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2025 | Striped Bass | 2,036 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2024 | Striped Bass | 2,100 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
| 2023 | Striped Bass | 4,750 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 362,707 | Fingerling (1 – 3") |
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 12,615 | NonVulnerable (8 – 10") |
| 2022 | Striped Bass | 637 | Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7") |
Rows for Cedar Lake (Jackson) come from the IDNR stocking table, which gives the year but not the day.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Illinois limits that apply on Cedar Lake (Jackson)
| Species group | Daily limit | Statewide rule as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | 1 per 24 hours | Harvest limit is 1 Alligator Gar per 24 hours. |
| Blue, Channel, and Flathead Catfish | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Other Sunfish | no limit | There are no harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Crappie (White, Black or Hybrid Crappie) | no limit | There are no daily harvest or size limits, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. |
| Lake Sturgeon | no possession | Protected; No possession. |
| Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass | 6 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d |
| Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and their Hybrid | muskellunge 1, northern pike 3 | All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u |
| Paddlefish | 2 | Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri. |
| Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their Hybrids | no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer | There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le |
| Trout and Salmon | 5 (combined) | Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate. |
| Walleye, Sauger, or their Hybrid | 6 (combined) | All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either |
Those statewide digest rows apply on Cedar Lake (Jackson) wherever no site-specific line overrides them.
Digest regulations printed for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Fishing Tournaments:
- Permits for fishing tournaments are required from the City of Carbondale and can be obtained by contacting the City of Carbondale/Lake Manager – Cedar Lake 618-549-8441 beginning on January 1 of each year. No IDNR fish tournament …
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing; bow fishing is allowed
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 14 inches and less than 18 inches; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 fish greater than or equal to 18 inches and 5 …
- Striped, White, or Hybrid Striped Bass: 17 inch Minimum Length Limit; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie: 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Site-specific regulations on the IFishIllinois page, as printed, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
IDNR 2026 Illinois Fishing Information digest (IDNR), read November 4, 2026. IDNR license fees (ifishillinois.org), read November 4, 2026.
Cedar Lake (Jackson) among its neighbours
On size, Carbondale City Reservoir leads the nearby lakes at 135 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres (IDNR) | Max depth (ft) | Mapped ramps | First IDNR-rated fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Lake (Jackson) | 1,750 | 60 | 3 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Makanda Pond (Giant City State Park) | 5 miles east | 0.8 | 0 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Carbondale City Reservoir | 5 miles northeast | 135 | 1 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Eagle Pond (Giant City State Park) | 6 miles east | 2.5 | 0 | Redear Sunfish | |
| Horse Camp Pond (Giant City State Park) | 6 miles southeast | 2.0 | 0 | Largemouth Bass | |
| Quail Pond (Giant City State Park) | 6 miles southeast | 1.0 | 0 | Largemouth Bass |
IDNR IFishIllinois pages (acres, depth text, outlook) and the IDNR boat ramp layer; read November 4, 2026.
An Illinois blacktop jaunt from Cedar Lake (Jackson)
Lakes in the same corner of the state as Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Makanda Pond (Giant City State Park)5 miles east
- Carbondale City Reservoir5 miles northeast
- Eagle Pond (Giant City State Park)6 miles east
- Horse Camp Pond (Giant City State Park)6 miles southeast
- Quail Pond (Giant City State Park)6 miles southeast
Filling the bait bucket near Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondalesporting goods store, Carbondale, 8 miles
- Frank's Real Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Gorham, 13 miles
- Just Add Water Bait Tackle & Morebait and tackle shop, Marion, 19 miles
- Dunn's Sporting Goodsbait and tackle shop, Marion, 19 miles
- Egyptian Hills Marina Incmarina, Creal Springs, 21 miles
Tackle loaner sites near Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Giant City State ParkMakanda, 6 miles
- Carbondale Public LibraryCarbondale, 7 miles
- Little Grassy Campground and MarinaMakanda, 8 miles
- Little Grassy Fish HatcheryMakanda, 8 miles
Illinois towns close to Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Carbondale7 miles
- Cobden7 miles
- Murphysboro9 miles
County guides linked to Cedar Lake (Jackson)
- Jackson Countyseat: Murphysboro
IDNR IFishIllinois map, tackle loaner site layer (KML), read November 5, 2026.
Piscifun gear a Prairie State angler could stow for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Cedar Lake (Jackson) fish apart by photo
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Straight replies on Cedar Lake (Jackson)
How do I find Cedar Lake (Jackson) on an Illinois map?
Cedar Lake is located 5 miles southwest of Carbondale in Jackson County. The City of Carbondale boat access area is located at the end of Cedar Creek Road off of Old Route 51 South. Another boat access area can be found south of Murphysboro off of State Route 127. Follow Boat Dock Road to this ramp. Its county listing is Jackson County, about 3 miles from Makanda.
Is Cedar Lake (Jackson) a large lake for Illinois?
IDNR gives 1,750 acres, and the IDNR text gives a 60 foot maximum depth.
Can I tow a bass boat to Cedar Lake (Jackson) and launch?
The IDNR map shows 3 boat ramps; Cedar Lake Canoe/Kayak Launch is one.
Which fish does IDNR list for Cedar Lake (Jackson)?
The IDNR outlook gives redear sunfish a excellent; other fish listed include striped bass, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
How many black bass does the digest allow at Cedar Lake (Jackson)?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. The limits band adds this water's digest entry.
Is an Illinois license required at Cedar Lake (Jackson)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Where can I bank fish at Cedar Lake (Jackson)?
No pier on file; IDNR flags Family Friendly Yes; Handicap Access Yes – Kayak launch only.
Can I get bait on the way to Cedar Lake (Jackson)?
Our list starts with Dick's Sporting Goods Carbondale, about 8 miles away,.
Pack the rods for Cedar Lake (Jackson)
Fees, stamps and site rules sit on the license page.