How to Fish Cedar Creek Lake

Cedar Creek Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-65°F. Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to prepare for spawning. Fish are making methodical movements from deeper winter areas to shallow spawning grounds, stopping at staging points along the way. Activity levels increase during warming trends, with fish becoming more aggressive in the afternoons as water temperatures rise. They are showing particular interest in areas with submerged vegetation and woody cover. Key locations: Submerged vegetation in creek arms and flats, particularly areas with hydrilla; Stumps and tree lines near the backs of creeks; Deep structure like railroad and road beds for staging fish. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow rolled over submerged vegetation, Bladed Jigs worked slowly near bottom structure, Spinnerbaits around new growth grass and stumps, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working shallow cover. Primary forage: Shad schooling in creek arms and around vegetation, Crawfish becoming active in shallow areas with warming water. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-62°F. Moving shallow (5-15 feet) to stage for spawn, actively feeding to build energy reserves Relating heavily to rocky banks and points, seeking optimal spawning areas Becoming more aggressive as water warms, with feeding increasing during stable weather patterns Key locations: Transitional rocky points leading into spawning coves; Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel substrate; Submerged timber near spawning flats. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along rocky transitions, Tubes dragged and hopped on gravel points, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to banks. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small shad schools in warming pockets, Small bluegill in shallow cover. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 60-67°F. Actively spawning with fish visible on beds in 2-3 ft of water, particularly in grass holes and protected areas Post-spawn females beginning to move to deeper structure while males guard fry Aggressive bed defense behavior when presented with soft plastics and creature baits Key locations: Shallow grass holes and pockets in 2-3 feet of water with visible beds; Protected areas near submerged vegetation; Deep trees and structure at spawning flat entrances for transitioning fish. Best techniques: Wacky Rigs worked slowly around beds and grass, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with soft plastics for precise bed presentations, Grass Jigs worked through vegetation edges. Primary forage: Bluegill around spawning areas, Crawfish active in grass and woody cover. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Pink Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Smallmouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, actively defending nests in 2-6 foot depths on hard bottom areas Males aggressively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning waves Increased activity during warmer parts of day, especially on north-facing banks that warm faster Key locations: Rock piles and gravel areas in 2-6 foot depths, especially near deeper water access; Protected coves with hard bottom composition; Shallow points with mixed rock and wood cover adjacent to spawning flats. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly around visible beds and rocky areas, Ned Rigs dragged through spawning flats, Soft Jerkbaits worked suspending for staging fish. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small shad schools in spawning pockets, Young of year bluegill beginning to appear. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors, Natural Shad Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 72-76°F. Post-spawn bass are actively feeding and transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, suspending near vertical cover and utilizing grass edges Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior during prime periods, targeting both bluegill and shad in multiple depth ranges from shallow grass to suspended positions Key locations: Grass edges and holes in submerged vegetation in shallow water; Suspended cover like tree tops in 20-30 foot range; Points and creek arms with mixed vegetation and timber. Best techniques: Frogs/Toads worked over grass mats and holes, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly around suspended timber, Soft Jerkbaits fished weightless with subtle twitches. Primary forage: Bluegill gathering in shallow grass areas, Shad suspending around timber and points, Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 62-72°F. Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, moving between shallow and mid-depth areas Fish are targeting crawfish and shad in transitional areas near deep water access Most active during early morning and evening, seeking shade during bright conditions Key locations: Rocky points adjacent to spawning flats; Grass edges near deeper water; Submerged brush piles in 8-15 feet of water; Standing timber edges near channel swings. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions, Tubes dragged through rocky areas, Shakey Heads worked around brush piles, Small Soft Body Swimbaits along grass edges. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter hibernation, Young-of-year shad starting to appear, Small bluegill in shallow grass. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Summer?

Water temp 76-84°F. Bass are establishing deep summer patterns, actively feeding on shad and bluegill around deep structure and grass edges Fish are showing two distinct patterns: deep schooling behavior (13-20ft) during peak heat and relating to grass edges/timber in 10-15ft during lower light periods Key locations: Deep offshore structure (humps, river channels) with schools of bait present; Standing timber and brush piles in 10-15 foot depth range; Edges of matted grass, especially where it meets deeper water. Best techniques: Drop Shot with finesse worms around deep structure and timber, Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) for actively feeding fish on offshore structure, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working grass edges and matted vegetation. Primary forage: Shad schooling in deeper water around structure, Bluegill around grass edges and timber, Crawfish in deeper rocky areas and around stumps. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Green Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-84°F. Smallmouth bass are transitioning to deeper, cooler water due to summer stratification, particularly during midday hours Active feeding occurs during early morning and evening near drop-offs and deep structure Fish are relating strongly to woody cover and rock piles in 15-25 foot depth range Key locations: Deep brush piles and standing timber adjacent to drop-offs; Rock piles and hard bottom areas in 15-25 foot range; Deep weed edges near main lake points. Best techniques: Drop Shot with finesse worms worked slowly around deep structure, Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along drop-offs and timber edges, Football Jigs worked through rock piles and hard bottom areas. Primary forage: Shad schools suspending near deep structure, Crawfish on rocky bottom areas, Small bluegill near weed edges. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Fall?

Water temp 63-82°F. Bass actively chasing shad in back of coves and along grass lines, showing aggressive feeding behavior to build up pre-winter reserves Fish transitioning from deep summer areas to shallower feeding zones, particularly around gradual depth changes Most active during shad migration periods, with fish relating heavily to baitfish movements Key locations: Back of coves with grass presence where shad are congregating; Grass edges and matted grass areas adjacent to deeper water; Points with gradual depth changes where fish are transitioning; Brush piles in deeper water, especially during midday or pressured conditions. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through grass with 1/4 oz weight, Hard Topwater (Walking) for early morning shad activity, Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along points and depth transitions, Swim Jigs worked along grass lines targeting baitfish, Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage based on multiple recent reports, Bluegill - secondary forage especially around grass. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Light Neutral Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Fall?

Water temp 55-68°F. Actively feeding on shad and crawfish to build up energy reserves for winter, following baitfish schools Moving between deep structure and shallower feeding areas, particularly during low-light periods Key locations: Rocky points and drop-offs adjacent to shallow feeding flats; Standing timber and brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range; Deep weed edges near channel swings. Best techniques: Drop Shot with slow, subtle presentations near deep structure, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along rocky points, Spinnerbaits worked through schools of shad. Primary forage: Shad schools congregating in creek arms and around points, Crawfish active on hard bottom areas. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Winter?

Water temp 45-55°F. Largemouth bass are concentrating around woody cover in 10-12 foot depths, showing a preference for Cedar Trees as primary winter holding areas Fish are likely to be schooled up and relatively stationary, making precise presentations to cover important Key locations: Cedar Trees and standing timber in 10-12 foot depth range; Brush piles adjacent to deeper water; Creek channel bends with woody cover. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with creature baits and 3/8oz weight, Jigs worked slowly through cover, Drop Shot for suspended fish near timber. Primary forage: Crawfish becoming active near woody cover, Smaller baitfish suspended around timber. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Cedar Creek Lake in Winter?

Water temp 45-52°F. Smallmouth bass are schooling in deeper water, typically suspended near structure and following shad schools Fish become less active during cold fronts but will feed actively during stable weather patterns, especially during warmer afternoon periods Key locations: Deep brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 foot range; Rocky points and channel breaks adjacent to deep water; Deep creek channel bends with available structure. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish, Drop Shot with small profile baits near structure, Damiki Rig when fish are clearly visible on electronics. Primary forage: Shad schools concentrated in deeper water, Smaller crawfish in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors.