New PragueMcMahon (Carl's) Lake too
Cedar Lake sits just northeast of New Prague. McMahon Lake, also known as Carl's Lake, is close by, and we work it the same way: repair and leveling, fall removal, spring install and new equipment.
Cedar Lake, near New Prague MN
Dock and Boat Lift Service on Cedar Lake
Cedar Lake covers 793 acres, and nearly all of it is under 15 feet deep. Big, shallow water like that moves docks and lifts around. We repair and level them, take them out before the ice, reinstall and level them after ice-out, and put in new ones when the old ones are done. Blake is on every job.
This is Cedar Lake in Scott County, northeast of New Prague. Not the Cedar Lake in Minneapolis.
After a big wind
Walk your dock after a storm on Cedar Lake
Wind has a long run across a lake this wide, and the water near your dock is shallow. After a hard blow, take five minutes on the dock and look for these:
- The dock rocks or dips when you step onto one section
- One corner of the lift sits lower than the others
- The boat lands crooked on the bunks
- A canopy frame is bent, or the cover tore loose
- A leg or a whole section has shifted toward shore
Any one of these is worth a call. Blake looks it over for $25 and tells you whether it needs an adjustment or a repair. If a storm pushed your dock off its legs or tipped your lift, we reset it and let you know which parts are still good.
New on Cedar Lake
Zebra mussels were confirmed in Cedar Lake in 2025
If your lift stays in all summer, this changes how you should care for it.
Summer 2025
A lake service company found zebra mussels attached to a dock on Cedar Lake and reported them to the Minnesota DNR.
Follow-up
A contract diver found no adult mussels, but water samples held zebra mussel larvae. That points to mussels breeding in the lake.
September 2025
The DNR announced Cedar Lake would be listed as infested. You can check the current infested waters list any time.
What it means for your lift
On a lift, mussels build up on the legs and screw jacks, the parts that never leave the water in summer. Blake and the crew pull those legs, clean and grease them, and set them back. Plan it for fall removal.
$150 to $200per lift
The lake itself
Shallow water, heavy weeds
98%of Cedar Lake was covered by curly-leaf pondweed in a May 2007 survey
Cedar Lake is shallow from shore to shore, and curly-leaf pondweed has long been the main plant in the spring. Summer brings frequent algae blooms, and the water is often cloudy.
If weeds crowd the water around your dock, ask Blake whether a lake mat makes sense for your spot. Check the DNR's current rules on controlling lake plants before anything goes in.
What we do on Cedar Lake
Repairs, the seasons, and starting fresh
Fix what is thereFrom $25
- Cable and winch repairA snapped cable or a slipping winch gets fixed, on lifts we installed and on lifts we did not.
- LevelingA dock or lift that settled or shifted gets reset so it sits flat again.
Out and back inEvery fall and spring
- Fall removalOut before the ice and onto your shore, in whatever spot you want it to sit for winter. A 2,000 to 4,000 lb lift is $200.
- Spring installBack in after ice-out, with every section leveled for this year's water.
- Service while it is out$50 lift lubrication, every major part.
Start freshNew docks, lifts and canopies
- New docks and liftsTonka Built, ShoreMaster or Beach King. Blake measures your shoreline, lays out options with prices, and you pick what fits.
- Canopy coversWorn or torn covers replaced, and covers put on or taken off with your seasonal service.
How the work goes, from people who hired us
“Blake was terrific to work with. He took the time to come out in the winter on site. He drilled holes thru the ice and took measurements to ensure a proper fit. Delivery and install happened on time and it looks great.”
“Started with a few conversations about lift options, visited the shop to further assess, followed by on-time delivery and installed flawlessly. The lift and motor work great for our pontoon…”
Towns near Cedar Lake
New Prague, the township, and Elko New Market
Cedar Lake TownshipCheck local rules first
Before you build a new dock or change a layout, check with Cedar Lake Township or Scott County on local zoning, and read the DNR dock rules. For a simpler version, see our DNR guide.
Elko New MarketEast of the lake
Elko New Market lake owners get the same seasonal work. Book seasonal service on a repeating time and BigWave sends the reminder, so you are not chasing an opening every fall.
Closer to Prior Lake? See Spring Lake and O'Dowd Lake, or every lake and town we serve.
Questions
Cedar Lake questions we hear
Is this the Cedar Lake near New Prague?
Yes. This page is about Cedar Lake in Scott County, northeast of New Prague. The striped canopy at the top of the page is on that lake.
Zebra mussels are here now. What should I do about my lift?
Plan on leg service at fall removal, $150 to $200 per lift. How often depends on your spot: yearly for some lifts, every second year for others.
How can I tell if the wind moved my dock?
Walk it. A section that dips when you step on it, a lift corner sitting low, or a boat landing crooked on the bunks are the usual signs. Blake looks it over for $25.
Can a lake mat help with weeds around my dock?
In the right spot, yes. Ask Blake when he is out, and check the DNR's current rules on controlling lake plants first. See our lake mats.
Send Blake what you are seeing at your dock
Tell us your address on Cedar Lake and what is going on, and add photos of the dock and lift if you can. Blake will get back to you with a plan and a price.
BigWave Lake Service 5955 Meadowlark Ln, Prior Lake, MN 55372(952) 687-1349
Every lake and town we serve