Lake trip · Aitkin County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake covers 1,726 acres in Aitkin County and carries a water-quality grade of A (Excellent). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Open water runs roughly Apr 18 to Nov 23, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near Cedar Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Cedar Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Cedar Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Cedar Lake grades A for nutrients and algae — Excellent. Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Water clarity is about 11.1 ft of visibility. Algae (chlorophyll-a) measures 3 µg/L. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Open water runs roughly Apr 18 to Nov 23, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for Cedar Lake →
About Cedar Lake
Fish: bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bowfin (dogfish), brown bullhead, burbot, green sunfish.
Fishing & license
When to fish Cedar Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near Cedar Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Cedar Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Yawkey Unit · State Park6.9 mi
- Portsmouth Unit · State Park8.4 mi
- Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area · State Recreation Area8.6 mi
- Mahnomen Unit · State Park9.9 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Cedar Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Yawkey Unit is about 6.9 miles away for campground options.
Cedar Lake has a water quality grade of A (Excellent). Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Open water runs roughly Apr 18 to Nov 23, with June through August the peak stretch for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Cedar Lake
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LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Cedar Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.