How to Fish Cedar Creek Reservoir

Cedar Creek Reservoir fishing FAQ

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

Water temp 58-70°F. Pre-spawn bass are actively staging near spawning areas, focusing on transition zones between deeper water and spawning flats Fish are feeding heavily on crawfish in rocky areas and around docks, with increased activity during warming trends Key locations: Docks and rocky seawalls in 2-6 feet of water near spawning pocket entrances; Main lake points with rock or tire reefs at spawning cove mouths; First few hundred yards of major creek arms where fish stage before spawning. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around dock posts and rocks, Wacky Rigs soaked in productive areas, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') on windblown rocky points. Primary forage: Crawfish - primary forage during pre-spawn period, Shad - secondary forage around points and creek mouths. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and around docks where water warms first Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage nearby, making frequent movements between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, becomes more territorial during spawn Key locations: Protected shallow coves with firm bottom, especially near creek channels; Dock areas in 2-6 foot range with nearby deeper water access; Secondary points leading into spawning pockets. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and dock posts, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for pre-spawn females, Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging in warming shallows, Shad moving into spawning areas, Small bluegill in shallow cover. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 58-71°F. Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on shad during morning shad spawn activity and moving to deeper water as the day progresses Fish showing distinct feeding windows with higher activity during cloudy conditions and early mornings, becoming more selective during bright, calm periods Key locations: Main lake seawalls and rocky points with active shad spawn activity; Boat docks in 5-10 foot range, especially those near points or seawall transitions; First major drops offs near spawning flats with brush piles in 15-20 foot range. Best techniques: Hard Topwater (Prop) during early morning shad spawn, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and cover during midday, Carolina Rigs on deeper structure and drop-offs, Bladed Jigs in areas with active bait. Primary forage: Shad (primary forage during spawn activity), Bluegill (secondary forage around docks and shallow cover). Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 65-89°F. Fish are establishing deep summer patterns, splitting time between shallow feeding early/late and deeper refuge areas during midday Bass actively using dock shade and brush piles as primary ambush points, especially during peak daylight hours Showing clear movement from shallow to deep throughout the day as temperatures rise Key locations: Docks on secondary points with brush piles in 10-20 foot range; Bridge areas with adjacent brush piles in 15-18 foot depth; Main lake points with scattered stumps in 9-17 foot range. Best techniques: Drop Shot targeting brush piles and dock posts in deeper water, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for skipping under docks and working brush, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during morning hours around shallow cover. Primary forage: Shad schooling around deeper structure, Bluegill relating to dock areas, Crawfish active around rocky areas and dock posts. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.

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

Water temp 58-73°F. Bass are actively feeding on shad and positioning around docks and points as they follow baitfish migrations into creeks Fish are showing a clear preference for ambush points, particularly using dock posts and edges as staging areas Key locations: Docks on points and near creek channels in 6-15 feet of water; Windblown secondary points leading into creeks; Outside edges of dock networks with nearby deep water access. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along dock edges and through shad schools, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting the backs and posts of docks, Structure Jigs with craw trailers around dock posts and points. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports and observed activity, Bluegill - secondary forage particularly around dock structures. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.

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

Water temp 45-55°F. Largemouth bass are suspending near deep brush piles and creek channel bends in 15-20 foot range, moving shallower during warmer periods to feed Fish are schooling around shad concentrations, particularly in wind-protected areas near channel swings Bass are utilizing docks as secondary cover, especially those adjacent to deep water during sunny periods Key locations: Brush piles and stumps in 15-20 foot range adjacent to creek channels; Deep water docks near channel swings; Protected coves with baitfish presence. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked vertically through suspended fish, Football Jigs dragged slowly along bottom near structure, Shakey Heads worked methodically around dock posts. Primary forage: Shad concentrated in deeper water, Crawfish becoming less active but still present near structure. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Bold Striped Patterns.