Cedar Lake, Polk County Fishing
A 1,120-acre Wisconsin lake in Polk County and St. Croix County, down to 32 feet.
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The basics of Cedar Lake, Polk County for anglers
Cedar Lake, Polk County is a lake of 1,120 acres lying in Polk County and St. Croix County. The bottom drops to 32 feet at most. For a home base, Star Prairie is roughly 2 miles away. It falls in the WDNR West Central Region. Its WDNR lake class is complex warm dark.
Walleye numbers rest on natural reproduction only, according to the DNR. Being in the ceded territory, it follows the three-walleye bag. Find a Lake shows walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, panfish and white bass. Public launching comes through 1 public boat landing. About 4.7 feet of clarity, by the 2017 satellite estimate.
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Abundance labels for Cedar Lake, Polk County come straight from the WDNR lake page.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Present |
| Panfish | Present |
The walleye layer lists Cedar Lake, Polk County with natural reproduction only.
WDNR on lakes like Cedar Lake, Polk County
“Complex warm dark lakes often support great action fisheries for black crappie, and have potential to produced quality walleye, northern pike, and/or muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Launching on Cedar Lake, Polk County
- Cedar Lake Access near Star Prairie1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Town of Alden
Other launches near Cedar Lake, Polk County
- Apple River Canoe Landing near Star PrairieApple River, 2 miles southeast
- Lower Pine Lake AccessLower Pine Lake, 2 miles north
- Star Prairie Village Park Canoe LandingApple River, 2 miles southeast
- Pine Lake Access near Star PrairiePine Lake, 3 miles north
- Squaw Lake Boat RampSquaw Lake, 3 miles southwest
- Swede Lake AccessSwede Lake, 3 miles northeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Water quality and bottom at Cedar Lake, Polk County
Expect a bottom of 90% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck on Cedar Lake, Polk County.
By water source, Cedar Lake, Polk County counts as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasive species the WDNR has confirmed in Cedar Lake, Polk County: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, japanese knotweed (fallopia japonica), rusty crayfish and yellow iris. Clean boats and drain live wells before leaving the landing.
On Cedar Lake, Polk County, local rules cover buoy placement, slow-no-wake areas.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Seasons and bag limits on Cedar Lake, Polk County
For Cedar Lake, Polk County, the DNR regulation search returns the rows shown here.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
The all-species line for Cedar Lake, Polk County reads: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
The Polk County entry says: Polk County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person). Largemouth and smallmouth bass of any length may be kept in all waters that are border waters between Burnett and Polk counties.
Pike rules here follow the zone north of Hwy 10; bass follow the Southern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Fish stocked in Cedar Lake, Polk County
WDNR crews stocked Cedar Lake, Polk County 4 times from 2023 to 2025, 35,513 fish counted.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12.6 in | 553 |
| 2025 | Walleye | large fingerling | 7.1 in | 17,612 |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 11.7 in | 554 |
| 2023 | Walleye | large fingerling | 6.87 in | 16,794 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Heaviest Wisconsin fish from Cedar Lake, Polk County
| Species | Weight | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Bass | 2023-08-15 | live release |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out. All Wisconsin records.
Cedar Lake, Polk County against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Lake, Polk County | 1,120 | 32 | 1 | complex warm dark | |
| Lower Pine Lake | 2 miles north | 96 | 102 | 1 | simple two story |
| Pine Lake near Star Prairie, Polk County | 3 miles north | 88 | 34 | 1 | simple warm clear |
| Apple Lake, St. Croix County | 3 miles southwest | 110 | 32 | 1 | complex warm dark |
| Swede Lake, Polk County | 3 miles northeast | 66 | 32 | 1 | simple warm clear |
| Paulsen Lake | 4 miles northeast | 29 | 21 | 0 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Close to Cedar Lake, Polk County
More water to try near Cedar Lake, Polk County
- Lower Pine Lake2 miles north
- Pine Lake near Star Prairie, Polk County3 miles north
- Apple Lake, St. Croix County3 miles southwest
- Swede Lake, Polk County3 miles northeast
- Paulsen Lake4 miles northeast
Shops that serve Cedar Lake, Polk County anglers
- Russell's Sport N' Bikebait and tackle shop, Star Prairie, 2 miles
- Warner's Dockmarina, New Richmond, 6 miles
- Walmart New Richmondfarm and general store with fishing gear, New Richmond, 8 miles
- DOCK AND BOAT LIFT SERVICEmarina, Amery, 11 miles
- D Cav LLC Sports And Moresporting goods store, Amery, 12 miles
- St Croix Outdoorssporting goods store, St Croix Falls, 13 miles
Communities around Cedar Lake, Polk County
- Star Prairie2 miles
- New Richmond6 miles
- Somerset8 miles
Counties holding Cedar Lake, Polk County
- Polk Countyseat: Balsam Lake
- St. Croix Countyseat: Hudson
Piscifun reels sized for Cedar Lake, Polk County
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Water close to Cedar Lake, Polk County in photographs
Photo: Lorie Shaull, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Joshua Mayer, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Seclusive Nature, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0
Common questions about fishing Cedar Lake, Polk County
Where in Wisconsin is Cedar Lake, Polk County?
Polk County and St. Croix County holds it, WDNR West Central Region, about 2 miles from Star Prairie.
How deep does Cedar Lake, Polk County get?
Roughly 1,120 acres and 32 feet at the deepest.
Which public landing serves anglers on Cedar Lake, Polk County?
There are 1 mapped landing; Cedar Lake Access near Star Prairie has the most lanes.
Is Cedar Lake, Polk County good for panfish?
WDNR lists walleye (abundant), muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), largemouth bass (present), panfish (present) and white bass.
Which WDNR rules cover Cedar Lake, Polk County?
For Walleye, sauger and hybrids, The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
Which Wisconsin license covers fishing Cedar Lake, Polk County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What is the water like in Cedar Lake, Polk County?
Satellite clarity about 4.7 feet (2017). Bottom: 90% sand, 5% gravel, 0% rock, 5% muck. WDNR class: complex warm dark. Type: drainage.
Where are minnows sold on the drive to Cedar Lake, Polk County?
Drive 2 miles to reach Russell's Sport N' Bike.
Which fish are stocked in Cedar Lake, Polk County?
Latest on file (2025): 553 muskellunge and 17,612 walleye.
Trailer up for Cedar Lake, Polk County
Check the posted rules before keeping fish.