How to Fish Cedar Lake

Cedar Lake fishing FAQ

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

Water temp 54-60°F. Bass are staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding while moving from winter locations to spawning grounds. Fish are holding in 2-5ft depths near spawning bays but have not yet moved onto beds. Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish targeting bluegills around vegetation edges and laydowns Key locations: Weedy bays with patch green weeds adjacent to hard bottom and pad stem areas; Laydowns and docks in protected areas; Submerged vegetation edges in 2-5 foot depth range. Best techniques: Bladed Jigs worked slowly through vegetation, Wacky Rigs around cover and bluegill beds, Grass Jigs pitched to visible cover. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating around shallow cover, Various small baitfish in pre-spawn staging areas. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-65°F. Moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Congregating near emerging vegetation and warming shallow bays, with increased feeding activity during warmer afternoon periods Key locations: Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially near artificial fish cribs; Edges of lily pad fields where new growth is starting; Transition areas between deeper wintering holes and shallow spawning flats. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near structure, Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms, Finesse Hair Jigs with subtle movements. Primary forage: Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water, Tiny crustaceans becoming more active in shallow areas, Small minnows in emerging weed edges. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 42-52°F. Pre-spawn pike are actively feeding and moving into shallow bays and vegetated areas to prepare for spawning. Fish are aggressive and opportunistic during this period. Fish are primarily sight-feeding in the turbid conditions (2.3ft visibility), staying in shallower zones where they can effectively locate prey Key locations: Shallow cabbage weed edges in 8-10 feet of water, especially those adjacent to spawning bays; Rock piles and offshore structure near spawning areas; Protected bays with emerging vegetation in 3-6 feet of water. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9') with slow to moderate speeds along weed edges, Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges and through sparse vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in shallow areas, Perch moving along weed edges, Small baitfish schooling in pre-spawn areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Bass are actively spawning, with males guarding nests in shallow protected areas. Females moving between spawning areas and nearby deeper water Fish are defensive and territorial around beds, while non-spawning fish are opportunistically feeding on bluegill near cover Key locations: Protected shallow bays with vegetation and lily pads where spawning activity is occurring; Docks providing cover and shade adjacent to spawning areas; Secondary points and vegetation edges leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Swim Jigs worked parallel to shorelines and through spawning areas, Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and visible beds, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to beds and cover. Primary forage: Bluegill gathering near shallow cover and spawning areas, Small baitfish utilizing emerging vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 65-75°F. Actively staging and moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected bays with firm bottom Males aggressively guarding nesting sites in 2-4 feet of water, especially near vegetation edges Feeding actively between spawning activities, focusing on small insects and invertebrates near bottom Key locations: Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition; Edges of lily pad fields in 2-4 feet of water; Areas near artificial fish cribs in spawning depth. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks, Bobbers suspended 2-3 feet deep near spawning beds, Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near bottom. Primary forage: Small aquatic insects, Freshwater invertebrates, Tiny crustaceans. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 42-58°F. Northern Pike are actively spawning or in post-spawn phase, moving from spawning areas to feeding locations along weed edges Aggressive feeding behavior as fish recover from spawn, particularly targeting bluegills and perch in shallow areas Key locations: Shallow bays with emerging cabbage weed edges in 8-10 feet of water; Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays; Rock piles near shallow flats in 6-12 feet of water. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9') with slow presentations along weed edges, Spinnerbaits worked parallel to emerging weed growth, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve near structure. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in shallow areas, Perch moving along weed edges. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 65-75°F. Post-spawn bass are actively feeding around vegetation edges, recovering energy and establishing summer patterns Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in shallow water (2-6 feet) during optimal temperature periods Key locations: Submerged vegetation edges and clumps on shallow flats; Scattered lily pad fields with adjacent deeper water; Protected bays with mixed vegetation. Best techniques: Wacky Rigs worked slowly around vegetation edges, Grass Jigs pitched to visible cover, Ned Rigs worked along weed edges. Primary forage: Bluegill in and around vegetation, Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 65-75°F. Post-spawn bluegills are recovering and transitioning to summer feeding patterns, actively foraging on insects and small invertebrates near weed edges Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, utilizing vegetation edges as primary feeding zones Key locations: Weed edges and transitions in 4-8 foot depth range; Established lily pad fields, especially those adjacent to deeper water; Fish cribs and artificial structures in 6-12 foot depth range. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks for precise presentations, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small plastics around structure, Bobbers with suspended baits near weed edges. Primary forage: Aquatic insects and larvae, Small invertebrates, Zooplankton. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-65°F. Pike are actively feeding along weed edges, particularly targeting spawning bluegills and crappies in shallow to moderate depths Fish are aggressive and willing to chase moving baits in the post-spawn period, especially when forage is scattered Key locations: Cabbage weed edges in 8-10 feet of water; Shallow bays near panfish spawning areas; Points and inside turns of weed edges where pike set up ambush points. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9') with spoons parallel to weed edges, Spinnerbaits worked through and along edges of panfish spawning areas, Inline Spinners cast and retrieved near weed edges. Primary forage: Spawning Bluegills and Crappies, Young-of-year Suckers. Best bait colors: Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors.

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

Water temp 75-82°F. Bass are actively feeding around submerged vegetation edges and laydowns in 8-10 foot depth range, with increased activity during lower light conditions due to turbid water Fish are showing typical summer patterns with both shallow and deep water movements, relating strongly to cover and structure throughout the day Key locations: Submerged vegetation edges and isolated milfoil clumps in 8-10 foot depth range; Shallow laydowns and woody cover, especially those adjacent to deeper water; Lily pad fields during low light periods. Best techniques: Drop Shot with soft plastics around vegetation edges, Swim Jigs worked through and around vegetation, Structure Jigs worked around laydowns and isolated cover, Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads during morning/evening periods. Primary forage: Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports, Minnows - secondary forage mentioned in deep water areas. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Summer?

Water temp 72-82°F. Bluegills are actively feeding near vegetation edges, particularly within 30 feet of lily pads, maintaining edge-oriented positions rather than suspending in open water Bottom-oriented feeding patterns are prevalent, with fish targeting insects and invertebrates near structure Key locations: Lily pad fields and their edges within 30 feet; Fish cribs and artificial structure areas; Protected shallow bays with vegetation. Best techniques: Bobbers with jigs positioned near vegetation edges, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'), Live Bait Rigs near structure. Primary forage: Aquatic insects and larvae, Small invertebrates near vegetation. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Summer?

Water temp 65-80°F. Moving to deeper, cooler water during midday due to high summer temperatures, primarily utilizing weed edges and rock piles Most active during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed in lower light conditions Ambush feeding from thick vegetation and structure edges in the turbid conditions Key locations: Deep weed edges and cabbage beds in 8-10 feet of water; Rock piles adjacent to weedy areas providing thermal refuge; Shallower weed flats during low light periods. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9') along weed edges during morning and evening, Spinnerbaits worked through and along vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for targeting deeper fish near structure. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in weed beds, Perch relating to rock piles and deeper structure, Young-of-year baitfish schooling near vegetation. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 47-65°F. Fish are transitioning to deeper, more stable water temperatures while actively feeding to build up winter reserves Actively chasing baitfish and targeting bluegill around remaining vegetation and hard structure Key locations: Steep rock banks near submerged vegetation edges; Offshore rock piles and hard structure; Remaining green vegetation and lily pad edges. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly parallel to structure, Structure Jigs worked methodically around rock and wood, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along rock spines, Bladed Jigs around remaining vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation, Crawfish active on rock structures. Best bait colors: Bold Striped Patterns, Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-65°F. Bluegills are transitioning to deeper water and congregating near structure as water temperatures cool, focusing on remaining weed edges and artificial fish cribs Feeding becomes more concentrated during midday hours when water temperatures are highest, with fish showing preference for bottom-oriented forage Key locations: Deep weed edges in 8-12 foot range, especially near points and inside turns; Fish cribs and artificial structure in 6-15 foot depths; Deeper pockets adjacent to lily pad fields that still have green vegetation. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'), Live Bait Rigs, Ice Fishing Jigs. Primary forage: Aquatic insects and larvae, Small crustaceans, Zooplankton near remaining vegetation. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Purple Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Fall?

Water temp 45-65°F. Actively feeding on perch and panfish, increasing activity levels as water temperatures cool from summer peaks Moving from deeper summer refuges to shallower feeding areas, particularly during low-light periods Utilizing weed edges and rock piles as ambush points, especially given the turbid water conditions Key locations: Cabbage weed edges in 8-10 feet of water; Rock piles adjacent to deeper water pockets; Shallow bays with remaining vegetation. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9'), Spinnerbaits, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large). Primary forage: Perch, Bluegills, Small Northern Pike. Best bait colors: Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Winter?

Water temp 38-45°F. Schooling in deeper areas near structure, particularly around fish cribs and weed edges, with less active feeding periods Bottom-oriented feeding on small invertebrates and insects, maintaining close proximity to cover Key locations: Deep weed edges near the 9-foot contour, especially near fish cribs; Protected coves with remaining vegetation; Deeper holes near structure that provide winter sanctuary. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'), Live Bait Rigs, Finesse Hair Jigs. Primary forage: Small aquatic insects, Bloodworms and larvae, Tiny crustaceans. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Winter?

Water temp 42-52°F. Northern Pike will be actively patrolling shallow to mid-depth flats and weed edges, particularly during low-light periods Pike feeding intensity increases in cooler open water winter conditions, with aggressive strikes on larger prey Key locations: Submerged weed edges in 8-12 feet of water; Rock piles adjacent to deeper water; Shallow flats near deep-water access. Best techniques: Trolling Shallow (0-9'), Soft Body Swimbaits (Large), Spinnerbaits. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in remaining vegetation, Perch schooling near structure, Small pike gathering in wintering areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Panfish / Bluegill on Cedar Lake in Ice?

Water temp 34-39°F. Bluegills concentrate in deeper basins near structure, typically in 8-15 foot depth ranges during ice season Most active feeding occurs during early morning and late afternoon periods, with fish suspending slightly off bottom Key locations: Deep weed edges near fish cribs in 8-12 foot depth; Basin areas adjacent to summer vegetation zones; Protected coves with consistent depths around artificial structure. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements just off bottom, Ice Fishing Spoons with erratic action for attracting fish from greater distances, Live Bait Rigs with small tungsten jigs for finicky fish. Primary forage: Small aquatic insects and larvae, Zooplankton in deeper water columns, Tiny crustaceans near bottom structure. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Northern Pike on Cedar Lake in Ice?

Water temp 34-39°F. Pike actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones (4-8 feet) around weed edges and rock piles due to low light penetration in turbid conditions Morning and evening periods show increased activity, with fish moving between deeper pockets and feeding zones Key locations: Cabbage weed edges in 6-8 feet of water, especially near deeper pockets; Rock piles adjacent to weedy areas providing ambush points; Shallow bays with remaining green weeds in 4-6 feet. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Tip-Ups with live bait positioned at varying depths, Ice Fishing Spoons worked aggressively to trigger reaction strikes, Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with minnows for slow presentation. Primary forage: Bluegills concentrated in remaining weed areas, Perch schooling near rock pile structures, Small baitfish in deeper pockets. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.