The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Cedar Lake
Jackson County, Illinois · 1,750 acres (2.7 sq mi)
Calm tomorrow morning.
About Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake spreads over 1,750 acres in Jackson County, Illinois. It sits on the Cedar Creek. Cedar Lake, formed by damming Cedar Creek in 1974, supplies drinking water to Carbondale, Illinois, and has a 10-horsepower limit on boat motors.
From end to end it runs about 5 miles with roughly 28 miles of shoreline. At about 430 ft above sea level, it follows the seasons of the region. It reaches about 60 ft at its deepest. Carbondale is about 5 miles northeast.
- Size
- 1,750 acres (2.7 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 60 ft
- Shoreline
- About 28 miles
- End to end
- About 5 miles
- Elevation
- About 430 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- River
- Cedar Creek
- County
- Jackson County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 12 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 2 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
For a lake of this size in Illinois, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish are the fish to expect. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake.
- Largemouth bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill and sunfish
- Catfish
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
No clear reading right now. Narrow or small lakes often have none; the weather and bite times below still apply.
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
No clear view of the ice yet
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:35 am · sunset 4:47 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Cedar Lake
- Carbondaleabout 5 mi northeast
- Cobdenabout 5.4 mi south
- Murphysboroabout 6.6 mi north
- Annaabout 10 mi south
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Questions about Cedar Lake
What fish are in Cedar Lake?
Lakes like Cedar Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Cedar Lake?
About 60 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Cedar Lake?
1,750 acres, with about 28 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Cedar Lake?
Carbondale is about 5 miles northeast; Cobden is about 5.4 miles south.
Is the water warm enough to swim in Cedar Lake?
Check the water temperature on this page before you go: under 70°F feels cold to most swimmers, and under 60°F cold-water shock is a real risk.
Cedar Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
