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	52-62	Bass are in pre-spawn transition, actively feeding while moving from winter areas to spawning locations Fish are utilizing brush piles and other cover as staging areas, aggressively feeding on bluegill	Brush piles in pre-spawn staging areas Deep weed edges near potential spawning flats Secondary points with available cover	Bladed Jigs worked around cover Lipless Crankbaits parallel to staging areas Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around brush piles	Bluegill Crawfish becoming active with warming water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	48-58	Moving from winter locations to warmer, shallow transition areas, staging for spawn. Becoming more active with warming water Feeding activity increasing but still structure-oriented, relating heavily to vegetation edges	Shallow vegetation edges in 4-8 foot depth range, especially near deeper water access Protected coves and points with emerging vegetation Transition areas between winter and spawning locations	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Bobbers Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small baitfish concentrating in warming shallows Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation Young of year panfish starting to emerge	Purple Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and near shallow cover where they'll create and guard nests Males will be aggressive in defending nests while females stage nearby, moving between spawning flats and slightly deeper water	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and available cover like submerged vegetation Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow dock areas providing overhead cover for spawning	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds Wacky Rigs worked slowly near spawning areas Bladed Jigs along edges of spawning flats	Spawning Bluegill in similar shallow areas Active Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are in spawning mode, moving between staging areas and spawning zones near ledges at 65°F Fish are actively feeding in the shallower zones due to turbid water conditions (2.3ft visibility) Concentrating around vegetation edges and ledges during pre-spawn and spawn phases	Ledges adjacent to spawning flats (confirmed by recent fishing reports) Vegetation edges in 8-12 foot depth range Shallow coves and points created by the moderately complex shoreline	Bobbers (validated by recent successful fishing reports) Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Live Bait Rigs	Other Crappie (confirmed by fishing reports as forage) Young of year panfish in shallow vegetation	Purple Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns Fish are utilizing the diverse cover options (weedlines, docks, brush piles) as rest and feeding stations during their transition	Outside edges of shallow weed growth in 8-12 foot range where available Secondary points and creek channels leading from spawning flats to deeper water Brush piles and dock structures adjacent to spawning areas	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and locating active fish Texas Rigs (Worming) for a slower presentation around brush and docks	Bluegill concentrated around shallow cover and vegetation Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in scattered schools	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	68-75	Post-spawn crappie transitioning to early summer patterns, suspending near submerged vegetation edges and actively feeding to recover energy Fish becoming more active during morning and evening periods, with less predictable movement during midday	Outer edges of submerged vegetation in 8-12 foot zones Shallow coves with abundant vegetation Points and transitions where vegetation meets slightly deeper water	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weedline edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) near vegetation points Hover/Mid-Strolling in areas between vegetation patches	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge Aquatic insects around vegetation Small bluegill and perch fry	Chartreuse Colors Purple 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	Bass are holding on outside weedlines in 8-12 foot depth range, utilizing these areas as primary feeding zones during summer heat Fish are actively feeding but showing preference for bottom-contact presentations, suggesting a more methodical feeding pattern typical of warm summer conditions	Outside weedlines in 8-12 foot depth range, particularly where vegetation meets deeper water Docks providing shade and ambush points, especially those near deep water access Deeper pockets within the generally shallow system where fish can find thermal refuge	Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom, especially effective on weedline edges Neko Rigs presented near cover and along weedlines Wacky Rigs worked in open water areas and around docks	Bluegill concentrating around weed edges Juvenile crawfish active in and around vegetation Small baitfish utilizing weed edges as cover	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are holding along weed edges at 8-12 feet, feeding actively during early morning and evening hours Fish are suspending near the outer vegetation edges, moving shallower to feed on small baitfish and insects	Weedline edges at 8-12 feet where vegetation meets open water Pockets and lanes within submerged vegetation Points and coves with established vegetation	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weedline edges Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) in vegetation pockets Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') for suspended fish	Small baitfish relating to vegetation Aquatic insects Young-of-year panfish	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Actively feeding and following baitfish movements to build energy reserves for winter, particularly around remaining weed edges and structure Transitioning to slightly deeper water areas (8-12 foot range) as surface temperatures cool, while making periodic shallow water feeding runs	Outside weedlines in 8-12 foot depth range where vegetation is still healthy Brush piles adjacent to deeper water access Protected coves and points that concentrate baitfish	Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges and through dying vegetation Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) to match fleeing baitfish schools Lipless Crankbaits for covering water and targeting actively feeding fish	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation Small baitfish schools in open water and around structure	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Crappie	52-68	Fall crappie transitioning from summer weedline patterns into tighter schools, following baitfish movements in this shallow, turbid lake Feeding activity increases during low-light periods as fish prepare for winter, with schools staying relatively shallow due to limited water depth	Remaining green weedlines at 8-12 foot depths, particularly near points or cove entrances Deeper pockets adjacent to dying vegetation where baitfish schools concentrate Protected coves with remaining vegetation that offer wind protection and concentrated baitfish	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weedline edges to locate active schools Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') once schools are located, especially during prime feeding periods Crappie Spider Rigging along vegetation edges during tough bite periods	Young-of-year baitfish congregating near remaining vegetation Small bluegills and juvenile sunfish Remaining aquatic insects near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	38-48	Crappie schooling near deeper pockets adjacent to remaining vegetation edges, typically suspending at mid-depths Feeding activity concentrated during low-light periods with brief active periods during stable weather	Deeper pockets adjacent to dying vegetation edges in 6-8 foot range Shallow coves with remaining vegetation, especially on wind-protected sides Points and transitions where vegetation meets slightly deeper water	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Hover/Mid-Strolling Small Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)	Small baitfish concentrating in remaining vegetation Juvenile bluegill in vegetation edges Small invertebrates among dying vegetation	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors
Ice	Crappie	33-39	Crappie are schooling near submerged vegetation edges under the ice, with likely suspended positioning above the vegetation Feeding periods are most active during dawn and dusk, with fish becoming more sluggish during bright midday periods	Submerged vegetation beds in 3-8 foot depth range Edge transitions where vegetation meets slightly deeper water Protected coves with remaining green vegetation	Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just above vegetation Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive reaction strikes Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern suspended fish	Small invertebrates in vegetation Juvenile panfish Zooplankton concentrations	Chartreuse Colors Purple Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Cedar Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Brush piles in pre-spawn staging areas	Deep weed edges near potential spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Shallow vegetation edges in 4-8 foot depth range, especially near deeper water access	Protected coves and points with emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and available cover like submerged vegetation	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Ledges adjacent to spawning flats (confirmed by recent fishing reports)	Vegetation edges in 8-12 foot depth range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Outside edges of shallow weed growth in 8-12 foot range where available	Secondary points and creek channels leading from spawning flats to deeper water
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Outer edges of submerged vegetation in 8-12 foot zones	Shallow coves with abundant vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Outside weedlines in 8-12 foot depth range, particularly where vegetation meets deeper water	Docks providing shade and ambush points, especially those near deep water access
Summer	Crappie	Weedline edges at 8-12 feet where vegetation meets open water	Pockets and lanes within submerged vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Outside weedlines in 8-12 foot depth range where vegetation is still healthy	Brush piles adjacent to deeper water access
Fall	Crappie	Remaining green weedlines at 8-12 foot depths, particularly near points or cove entrances	Deeper pockets adjacent to dying vegetation where baitfish schools concentrate
Winter	Crappie	Deeper pockets adjacent to dying vegetation edges in 6-8 foot range	Shallow coves with remaining vegetation, especially on wind-protected sides
Ice	Crappie	Submerged vegetation beds in 3-8 foot depth range	Edge transitions where vegetation meets slightly deeper water

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill	Crawfish becoming active with warming water
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small baitfish concentrating in warming shallows	Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Spawning Bluegill in similar shallow areas	Active Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Other Crappie (confirmed by fishing reports as forage)	Young of year panfish in shallow vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrated around shallow cover and vegetation	Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in scattered schools
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge	Aquatic insects around vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating around weed edges	Juvenile crawfish active in and around vegetation
Summer	Crappie	Small baitfish relating to vegetation	Aquatic insects
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill congregating in remaining vegetation	Small baitfish schools in open water and around structure
Fall	Crappie	Young-of-year baitfish congregating near remaining vegetation	Small bluegills and juvenile sunfish
Winter	Crappie	Small baitfish concentrating in remaining vegetation	Juvenile bluegill in vegetation edges
Ice	Crappie	Small invertebrates in vegetation	Juvenile panfish

Bait Colors by Season for Cedar Lake

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

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