How to Fish Cedar Lake (124): Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Cedar Lake (124)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 12, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Cedar Lake (124)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are following a warming trend, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow staging areas near eventual spawning locations Activity levels increase during warmer parts of the day, with fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise	Secondary points and rocky areas leading into spawning bays Shallow dock areas with good sun exposure Emerging weed edges in 6-10 foot depth range	Lipless Crankbaits worked along transitional areas between deep and shallow water Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses in clearer water conditions Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation and dock areas	Bluegills staging near shallow areas Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas Small baitfish in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappies are transitioning to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding during morning and evening periods Fish are relating strongly to structure edges and vegetation transitions in the upper water column due to limited light penetration Showing selective feeding behavior despite lower clarity, with increased activity when water temperatures reach mid-60s	Shallow coves and protected bays with emerging vegetation Transition areas between vegetation edges and deeper water Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation edges Bobbers with suspended baits over vegetation transitions Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through staging areas	Small Bluegills Young-of-year panfish Small minnows around vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-60	Pre-spawn bass actively cruising shallow areas, with some fish beginning to stage on beds. Fish are highly sight-oriented in clear water conditions Fish are structure-oriented but spooky in clear water, requiring longer casts and stealth approaches	Shallow reeds and cattail areas where spawning activity is beginning Protected shallow flats with emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays	Hard Jerkbaits worked with twitching action in shallow water Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with weedless presentations around vegetation Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for spooky fish	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Small baitfish in spawning areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	65-72	Crappies are actively spawning and feeding in shallow water, congregating around sunfish schools and vegetation Fish are heavily sight-oriented in the upper water column, despite relatively low water clarity Showing selective feeding behavior with a preference for smaller presentations	Shallow submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water Protected coves and bays with stable spawning conditions Vegetation edges and transitions near shoreline structures	Finesse Jigs worked slowly through visible fish Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) for sight fishing opportunities Bobbers with precise depth control around vegetation	Small Sunfish Minnows Small invertebrates in vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-72	Bass are actively patrolling shallow areas between docks and along weed edges, primarily targeting bluegill Fish are showing aggressive behavior in the post-spawn period, with some still guarding fry while others are actively feeding	Docks and spaces between docks with nearby vegetation Inside weed edges with patches of clean bottom Secondary points and ledges with vegetation	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and vegetation Hard Jerkbaits parallel to weed edges Soft Jerkbaits for cruising fish between structure	Bluegill Young of the year baitfish	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-72	Post-spawn crappies are actively feeding and recovering, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure, with most active feeding during early morning and evening Fish are showing selective feeding behavior but will aggressively strike when properly presented baits match forage	Vegetation edges and transition zones in 8-15 foot depth range Secondary points and shallow coves adjacent to deeper water Submerged brush and timber near drop-offs	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around vegetation edges with light jigs Hover/Mid-Strolling along transition zones Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through identified structure	Bluegill and small sunfish Small minnows and fry Aquatic insects	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-82	Fish are holding tight to deep rock piles in warm water conditions, exhibiting aggressive feeding behavior when baits are presented near structure Bass are structure-oriented and actively feeding on bluegill around ambush points during summer peak temperatures	Deep rock piles with hard bottom Weed edges adjacent to deep water Dock structures providing shade in 8-15 foot range	Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly across rock piles Structure Jigs worked through deep structure Deep Diving Crankbaits (13'+) along deep weed edges	Bluegill Crayfish around rock piles	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	68-82	Crappies are suspending in and around submerged vegetation edges, particularly during early morning and evening feeding periods During midday heat, fish are moving to deeper edges of weed lines and transitions, typically 12-15 feet deep Showing selective feeding behavior with a preference for smaller prey items, especially juvenile bluegill	Deeper weed edges and transition areas, especially where vegetation meets depth changes Shaded areas under docks and overhanging cover, particularly in coves Deeper points and breaks adjacent to shallow feeding areas	Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Hover/Mid-Strolling	Juvenile Bluegill Small Minnows Aquatic Insects	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Cedar Lake (124)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Actively feeding on baitfish and transitioning along deep weed edges, using matted grass as ambush points Moving between shallow feeding areas and deeper staging areas as temperatures fluctuate	Weed line breaks in 6-12 feet of water Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles Points with matted grass near deeper water	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in matted grass Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges	Bluegill around vegetation edges Baitfish schools in deeper water	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappies are transitioning to deeper water, gathering in schools around key structure as water temperatures cool Feeding activity increases during this seasonal transition, with fish actively pursuing baitfish in the water column Schools become more concentrated and easier to target once located, especially during prime feeding periods	Deep weed edges and vegetation transitions in 12-20 foot range Basin edges near deep structure, especially where bottom transitions occur Deeper coves and points with access to both shallow and deep water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges and depth transitions Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding tight to structure Hover/Mid-Strolling with small soft plastics for suspended schools	Young-of-year bluegills transitioning to deeper water Small baitfish schools congregating in deeper areas Remaining insects and zooplankton in the water column	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappies are suspending in mid-depth water columns during open water winter, typically relating to the thermocline and moving as a school Feeding activity is reduced but consistent, with fish tending to congregate in larger schools near deep structure	Deep basin areas adjacent to structural transitions, particularly in 20-25 foot range Steep breaks near points where multiple depth contours converge Deep holes near the ends of weed lines that persisted from fall	Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) Damiki Rig Ice Fishing Jigs	Small sunfish and juvenile bluegills Young-of-year crappies Small minnows in deeper water	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	34-39	Crappies concentrate in deeper basins and suspended over structure during ice season, often schooling tightly in 15-25 foot depth range Feeding activity peaks during early morning and late afternoon, with fish becoming more selective during midday	Deep basins adjacent to submerged vegetation edges Suspended schools over 20-25 foot holes Secondary break lines near prominent points	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle jigging motions Ice Fishing Spoons for aggressive reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to locate active schools	Small bluegills and juvenile panfish Zooplankton and micro invertebrates Small minnows suspended in water column	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Cedar Lake (124)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and rocky areas leading into spawning bays	Shallow dock areas with good sun exposure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow coves and protected bays with emerging vegetation	Transition areas between vegetation edges and deeper water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow reeds and cattail areas where spawning activity is beginning	Protected shallow flats with emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water	Protected coves and bays with stable spawning conditions
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Docks and spaces between docks with nearby vegetation	Inside weed edges with patches of clean bottom
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Vegetation edges and transition zones in 8-15 foot depth range	Secondary points and shallow coves adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep rock piles with hard bottom	Weed edges adjacent to deep water
Summer	Crappie	Deeper weed edges and transition areas, especially where vegetation meets depth changes	Shaded areas under docks and overhanging cover, particularly in coves
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Weed line breaks in 6-12 feet of water	Deep weed edges adjacent to rock piles
Fall	Crappie	Deep weed edges and vegetation transitions in 12-20 foot range	Basin edges near deep structure, especially where bottom transitions occur
Winter	Crappie	Deep basin areas adjacent to structural transitions, particularly in 20-25 foot range	Steep breaks near points where multiple depth contours converge
Ice	Crappie	Deep basins adjacent to submerged vegetation edges	Suspended schools over 20-25 foot holes

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegills staging near shallow areas	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small Bluegills	Young-of-year panfish
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Small baitfish in spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small Sunfish	Minnows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Young of the year baitfish
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Bluegill and small sunfish	Small minnows and fry
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Crayfish around rock piles
Summer	Crappie	Juvenile Bluegill	Small Minnows
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill around vegetation edges	Baitfish schools in deeper water
Fall	Crappie	Young-of-year bluegills transitioning to deeper water	Small baitfish schools congregating in deeper areas
Winter	Crappie	Small sunfish and juvenile bluegills	Young-of-year crappies
Ice	Crappie	Small bluegills and juvenile panfish	Zooplankton and micro invertebrates

Bait Colors by Season for Cedar Lake (124)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Natural Craw Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Winter	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Ice	Crappie	Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

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