Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake is a 1,750-acre lake about 5 miles southwest of Carbondale in Jackson County, with its northern shoreline owned by the City of Carbondale. The southern shoreline is bordered by Shawnee National Forest.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Redear Sunfish
Docks, weeds and shallow flats in late spring. Small hooks with worms or crickets.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Striped Bass
Follow shad schools. Live bait, umbrella rigs and topwater.
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- City of Carbondale boat areaPublicCedar Creek Road off Old Route 51 SouthDirections ↗
- Boat Dock Road rampRampSouth of Murphysboro off State Route 127Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Bass Max 5 under 14 in and 1 over 18 in | 14-18 in protected slot | 6 / day |
| Crappie | 25 / day | |
| Striped Bass | 17 in | 3 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Cedar Lake ↗Local tips
- Tournament permits are required from the City of Carbondale (618-549-8441); 20-boat maximum
- Bass protected slot 14-18 inches in effect
- Two poles max, 2 hooks or lures per pole
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.