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

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Cedar Lake

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

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-62	Pre-spawn bass are moving from winter deep-water areas to transitional staging areas, becoming more active as they prepare for spawning Fish are feeding more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly targeting crawfish and bluegill in warming areas	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats Deep weedline edges in 8-12 feet where new growth is beginning Rock and riprap areas that warm quickly in afternoon sun	Bladed Jigs worked slowly along transition areas Lipless Crankbaits parallel to emerging weed growth Ned Rigs worked methodically on rocky points	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Bluegill in and around developing weed growth Small baitfish schooling in warming shallow areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Warm Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-68	During spring spawn, largemouth bass are moving into shallow protected areas, focusing on temperatures between 58-65°F for spawning activities. Males are actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas. Pre/post spawn fish are actively feeding in transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water, particularly around new growth vegetation and stable cover	Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom, especially near emerging vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) Wacky Rigs Soft Jerkbaits	Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their own spawn Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are utilizing weedlines and lily pads as primary cover, making frequent feeding moves to nearby deeper water	Outer edges of weedlines in 8-12 feet of water, especially near points and bays Clean lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water Secondary points with submerged vegetation in 6-15 foot range	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation edges Spinnerbaits parallel to weedlines during cloudy conditions Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and finding active fish	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas Crawfish active in and around vegetation Small baitfish relating to emerging weed growth	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	76-82	Active feeding patterns split between deep weedline (17-20 feet) and shallow surface vegetation, with fish moving between these zones based on time of day and light conditions Showing aggressive surface feeding behavior in pad fields when conditions are right (clean pads without algae) Maintaining both shallow and deep water feeding patterns, targeting bluegill near surface and crawfish along deep weed edges	Clean lily pad fields, particularly during morning and evening periods Deep weedlines in 17-20 foot range Edges of pad/reed mix areas where they transition to deeper water	Frogs/Toads worked across clean pad fields Drop Shot along deep weedlines Texas Rigs (Worming) on edges of vegetation transitions	Bluegill concentrated around surface vegetation Crawfish along deep weed edges and bottom structure	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-72	Actively feeding and following baitfish schools as they move to shallower water, especially during morning and evening hours Transitioning between summer deep weedlines and shallow feeding areas, becoming more aggressive as water cools	Deep weedline edges near points and channel breaks (17-20 foot range) Shallow coves with remaining vegetation, especially near deeper water access Points and bays with active baitfish schools	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') Spinnerbaits Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) Drop Shot	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation Crawfish active on hard bottom areas Baitfish schools in transition areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats	Deep weedline edges in 8-12 feet where new growth is beginning
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom, especially near emerging vegetation	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Outer edges of weedlines in 8-12 feet of water, especially near points and bays	Clean lily pad fields adjacent to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Clean lily pad fields, particularly during morning and evening periods	Deep weedlines in 17-20 foot range
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weedline edges near points and channel breaks (17-20 foot range)	Shallow coves with remaining vegetation, especially near deeper water access

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy	Bluegill in and around developing weed growth
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow for their own spawn	Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Crawfish active in and around vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around surface vegetation	Crawfish along deep weed edges and bottom structure
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation	Crawfish active on hard bottom areas

Bait Colors by Season for Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Warm Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Purple Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Natural Craw Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

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