Cedar Creek Lake is a 784-acre lake located just outside of Stanford, Kentucky.  The total cost of this project was estimated at $8.9 million.  The lake has an average depth of 22 feet and a maximum depth of 60 feet.  The watershed consists of the following 45% agricultural, 35% woodland and 19% croplands, in all 1,600 acres of land were purchased by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife.  The lake is unique in many respects.  It was designed with a 300-foot buffer zone surrounding the lake.  This buffer zone eliminates many of the problems related to other lakes with encroachment and private property.  In addition no private boat docks are located on the lake.

Sport fish populations at the lake consist primarily of largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, black crappie and channel catfish.  Other remnant fish populations were eradicated prior to the lake being filled.  This process eliminated undesirable fish species such as green sunfish, bullhead catfish and carp.  Removal of these species will reduce competition with the more desirable species that have been stocked in the lake.  The breakdown of the fish that were stocked are as follows: 2,500 10-inch and 15,000 5-inch largemouth bass, 20,000 3-inch black crappie, 180,000 1-inch bluegill, 120,000 1-inch sunfish, 8,000 9-inch and 30,000 1-inch channel catfish.  These stocked fish will grow very rapidly and will provide and immediate fishery.  The lake is closely monitored by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to ensure that fish populations are thriving.

During construction of the lake abundant habitat was ensured for all

species.  Many standing trees were left in the basin to provide structure and habitat for the lake.  Other artificial habitats were created as well such as dragging and anchoring trees along the shoreline, construction of spawning area for nest building species and placement of stake beds for additional habitat and structure.  The dedication of the Dam was in September of 2004 and the lake filled much quicker than anticipated providing and instant wildlife habitat and a great fishing lake.

This lake was designed as a fisher’s paradise.  Can you fathom going to the lake and not getting run over by Jet Ski’s, powerboats and water skiers? If this sounds great to you then Cedar Creek Lake is the place for you.

I would highly recommend if you have a GPS go check out these locations.  GPS coordinates are given in WGS 84.

Old U.S. 150 bridge 37 28' 49.5" N84 33' 12.0" W 

Submerged pond 37 28' 59.1" N84 32' 59.3" W 

Spawning bed 37 28' 42.9" N84 33' 07.9" W 

Spawning bed 37 28' 46.0" N84 33' 04.4" W 

Rock reef 37 28' 24.0" N84 33' 37.8" W   

Directions to the lake are as follows:

From Lexington take U.S. 27 south.  Then turn left on the U.S. 150 bypass in Stanford.  Turn right onto Boone Road just past Cedar Creek Dam then turn right at the stop sign to access the boat ramp.

From Somerset take U.S. 27 north.  Turn right on the U.S. 150 bypass in Stanford.  Turn right onto Boone Road just past Cedar Creek Dam then turn right at the stop sign to access the boat ramp.

 

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