Cedar Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Cedar Lake is mapped to a depth of 12 ft on the Indiana DNR survey and covers about 783 acres in Lake County, Indiana.
Measured from the Indiana DNR lake bathymetry survey.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 12 ft
- Surface area
- 783 acres
- Shoreline
- 6.02 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 1% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details6 contours
- Contour depths
- 0–12 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 12 ft
Provenance
Sources: IN DNR Lake Bathymetry, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 41.36917, -87.43230
- IN DNR lake ID
- cedar-lake
- Vertical exaggeration
- 12.0× below the waterline; land at true scale
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.2 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Cedar Lake has a substantially developed setting, moderate open-water exposure, substantial nearby higher-volume roads. No special watercraft restriction is identified in the current source.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Modest | 0.6 of 30 | 3% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (1% forest, 1% wetland; 90% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Good | 8.3 of 25 | mean fetch 2,026 m · 0% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · moderate open-water fetch |
| Watercraft controls | None identified | 7.5 of 15 | No special watercraft restriction identified in the current DNR source. Motors permitted, subject to general law. |
| Public access | Good | 12.8 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · boat ramp · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Modest | 0.8 of 15 | substantial nearby higher-volume roads · 1504 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km, peak 67,424 vehicles/day |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Low — approximately 1% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- Limited — 1% forest and 1% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys22 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Common Carp
Freshwater Drum
White Sucker
Gizzard Shad
White Perch
Hybrid Sunfish
Sunfish
Golden ShinerAbout these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 22 species found here — 17 open to harvest, 1 with a special rule or closed season.
These are hook-and-line size and daily limit rules. The fishing code sets no closed season for these species on inland lakes, but posted property rules can close a water — see the notes. Gear, spearing and bow fishing, netting and bait collection are set by other sections of 312 IAC 9 and are not shown here.
Official rule text for this lake
“An individual may take minnows at any time during the year.” — 312 IAC 9-7-15(a), Indiana Administrative Code
From 312 IAC 9-7 (Sport fishing), Indiana Administrative Code (readopted 2025-03-25), and the 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide · verified 2026-09-15. Regulations can change — the Indiana Administrative Code (312 IAC 9-7) is the controlling source; verify current regulations before fishing. Official regulations
Fishery
surveyed 2018 and 2023Gamefish Channel Catfish 162 · Walleye 10 · Bowfin 7 · Largemouth Bass 3
Panfish Bluegill 82 · White Crappie 19 · Black Crappie 13
All survey species22 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
6 recordsMussels & snails
Fish
- Pirapitinga
- Red-bellied Pacu
- Striped Bass
- Unidentified Piranha
- White Perch
How to identify invasive species in Indiana lakes →
What does non-native mean?
USGS records identify non-native species that have been documented for this lake or its shoreline. Non-native does not necessarily mean invasive, and historical records do not confirm current presence.
Source: Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Conservation Planner; underlying nonindigenous species records from the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
Cedar Lake — common questions
How deep is Cedar Lake?
The deepest contour on the Indiana DNR bathymetric survey of Cedar Lake is 12 ft. That is the deepest depth the historical survey map records, which may differ from the deepest point of the lake itself.
How big is Cedar Lake?
Cedar Lake covers about 783 acres in Lake County, Indiana.
What fish are in Cedar Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, black crappie, bluegill. The page lists all 22 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Cedar Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Cedar Lake: a boat ramp with a fishing pier and a boat dock. The DNR notes that an entry fee applies. DNR directions: "Two miles east of US 41 at Cline Ave. in Cedar Lake."
