Cedar Lake (LeFlore County, Oklahoma) should not be confused with Cedar Lake, Oklahoma.
| Cedar Lake | |
| Location: | LeFlore County, Oklahoma |
| Coords: | 34.781°N -94.697°W |
| Type: | Reservoir |
| Rivers: | Big Cedar Creek |
| Outflow: | Big Cedar Creek |
| Basin Countries: | United States |
| Agency: | U. S. Forestry Service, part of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) |
| Date-Built: | 1937 |
| Area: | 86acres |
| Volume: | 1370acre.ft[1] |
| Elevation: | 900feet |
| Cities: | Mena, Arkansas; Heavener, Poteau, and Talihina, Oklahoma |
| Pushpin Map: | Oklahoma#USA |
| Pushpin Map Alt: | Location of Cedar Lake in Oklahoma, USA. |
Cedar Lake is in Le Flore County, Oklahoma inside the Ouachita National Forest. Considered a part of Indian Nations National Scenic and Wildlife Area, it is about 12miles south of Heavener, Oklahoma, and 40miles west of Mena, Arkansas.[2]
It is a different body of water from the privately owned Cedar Lake in Canadian County, Oklahoma.
The lake surface covers 86acres. The storage capacity is 1000acre-feet. Its earthen dam is 52feet high and 1000feet long. The maximum storage is 1370acre-feet. The elevation is 900feet[1]
Now owned by the U. S. Forest Service, the lake was constructed on Big Cedar Creek in 1937[3] by the Civilian Conservation Corps for erosion-control purposes. It is primarily used for recreation, and features fishing, boating, picnicking, hiking and camping activities. The lake is open year-round.[4]
The lake is regularly stocked with largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill.[2] According to an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) official, it is known for its big bass potential.[5]
Dale Miller set a state record when he caught a 14 pound 13.7 ounce largemouth bass, having a length of 26 inches and a girth of 23 inches. ODWC confirmed the record measurement, then released the fish back to the lake. The previous record was held by Benny Williams, Jr., who caught a 14 pound 12 ounce bass from the same lake on March 23, 2012.[5]