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

20% Off Strike King, Through 06/03. Save Now

20% Off Bubba, Through 06/16. Save Now

Built to Serve Tee + PRO = $20 Donated Per Order → Shop Now

Save Up To $500 on Select Minn Kota, Through 06/18. Save Now

Buy One, Get One FREE P-Line Tactical Fluorocarbon. Learn More

PRO members get free shipping, rewards & local lake data! Join Today

Markdowns on popular products - See all bargain offers

Cedar Lake, IL

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 16, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Cedar Lake, IL

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	48-60	Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy for spawning. Water temps (48-60°F) show fish are in pre-spawn pattern Fish are relating heavily to structure (brush piles, grass edges) and actively feeding on both shad and bluegill	Secondary points with grass edges in 5-15 foot range Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats Grass lines and vegetation edges in 8-12 foot depth range	Bladed Jigs worked slowly near bottom around grass edges Finesse Jigs dragged through brush piles Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along banks between structure	Shad schooling near points and grass edges Bluegill relating to hard cover and vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	52-65	Pre-spawn stripers are actively feeding and staging near spawning tributaries and channels, following large schools of shad Fish are making transitional movements from winter patterns to spawning areas, using main lake points and channel swings as migration routes Aggressive feeding behavior during dawn and dusk, with fish moving into shallower water during these periods	Main lake points adjacent to river channels and spawning tributaries Channel swings and deeper structures in 15-25 foot range Shallow flats near deep water access, especially those with submerged vegetation	Umbrella Rigs worked along channel edges and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through transitional depths Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near bait schools	Adult Shad schooling in pre-spawn patterns Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge Various baitfish utilizing grass lines and vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	50-65	Bass transitioning between pre-spawn and spawning phases, actively feeding while seeking spawning areas near shoreline cover Fish moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning flats, especially active during warming trends Showing aggressive behavior around laydowns and flooded brush, particularly during morning hours	Flooded brush and laydowns in protected areas Secondary points with wood cover Creek mouths and muddy water areas where shad are present	Swim Jigs worked around laydowns and brush Finesse Jigs pitched to visible cover Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working thick cover	Shad concentrating in creek arms and muddy water areas Crawfish becoming active around wood cover and points	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	58-68	Striped bass are moving into river channels and tributaries for spawning, actively feeding during pre-spawn stages Fish staging in depths of 8-15 feet near channel swings and points that provide access to spawning areas Aggressive feeding patterns during pre-spawn, followed by spawning activity in river sections	Main river channel bends and tributaries with good current flow Main lake points adjacent to spawning areas Shallow flats near deep water access	Umbrella Rigs worked along channel edges Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) worked through staging areas Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near points	Pre-spawn shad schools in tributary areas Young of year baitfish emerging in shallows Larger shad moving with pre-spawn stripers	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but still relating to shallow cover Fish showing preference for laydowns and matted grass areas as indicated by recent reports, suggesting recovery behavior with need for cover	Laydowns in protected coves as indicated by recent reports Grass lines in 8-12 foot range identified in lake profile Secondary points with vegetation near spawning pockets	Frogs/Toads around matted grass and laydowns as supported by recent success Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover Swim Jigs through scattered grass and along grass lines	Bluegill moving shallow and relating to cover Shad schools beginning to form in main lake areas	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	62-72	Post-spawn stripers are actively feeding to recover energy, following large schools of shad in transitional areas between spawning grounds and summer haunts Fish are making daily movements between deeper sanctuary areas and shallower feeding zones, particularly active during morning and evening hours	Main lake points adjacent to river channels, especially those with access to deeper water Grass lines in 10-15 foot depths where shad are staging Secondary points in major creek arms where bait schools are congregating	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along depth transitions near points Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish chasing shad schools Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges and points	Large schools of post-spawn shad Smaller baitfish relating to grass lines Juvenile sunfish in shallow areas	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	78-85	Bass are holding in two distinct patterns: main lake structure in 8-15 feet near the thermocline, and shallow grass areas for feeding periods Fish are actively feeding during lower light periods, relating strongly to grass edges and points as ambush zones	Grass lines and vegetation edges in 8-12 feet of water Main lake points with healthy vegetation Steep sloping banks with structure in 8-15 foot range Matted grass areas in shallow water	Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along grass edges and points Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass for bigger fish Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for actively feeding fish near points	Shad schooling along main lake structure Bluegill relating to shallow grass and matted vegetation	Green Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Shad Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	68-75	Striped bass are seeking thermal refuge in deeper, cooler water due to summer temperatures, primarily holding along river channels at 20'+ depths Fish are actively feeding on large schools of shad, with most aggressive feeding periods occurring during low light conditions or when bait is pushed into ambush points	Deep river channels with depths of 20' or greater where fish are holding in cooler water Main lake points intersecting with river channels, serving as staging areas for bait ambush Complex shoreline areas with coves and irregularities where bait gets trapped	Trolling Deep (20'+) with deep diving lures to target suspended fish in river channels Umbrella Rigs to mimic larger schools of shad Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) when fish are spotted on electronics	Shad schools in deep water Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Cedar Lake, IL

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-65	Bass are actively chasing shad and bluegill on main lake points and grass edges, with increased feeding activity during windy conditions Fish are transitioning between shallow and deep water, using grass lines and points as primary feeding zones	Main lake points with grass edges in 8-12 foot range Shallow matted grass areas, especially near deeper water access Secondary points with vegetation	Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along grass edges on points Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass Football Jigs worked around deeper structure	Shad schooling around main lake points and grass edges Bluegill relating to shallow grass and matted vegetation	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	58-72	Actively feeding and following large schools of shad as they migrate to creek arms and coves Aggressive schooling behavior, often forcing bait to surface for feeding frenzies Moving between deep main lake points and shallow areas based on bait movement and water temperature	Main lake points adjacent to river channels where shad schools congregate Creek arm entrances with depth transitions Shallow flats near deep water access where bait balls are present	Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended bait schools Hard Topwater (Walking) during low light periods when fish are surface feeding Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) mimicking stressed shad	Shad schools migrating to creek arms Juvenile sunfish near grass lines Small baitfish relating to submerged vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	39-52	Suspending near deep structure but remaining active enough to chase moving baits in 39-52°F range Transitioning between deep wintering areas and shallow feeding zones using points and grass lines Most active during warmer winter days, especially during stable weather periods	Main lake and secondary points with rock or wood in 15-20 foot depth range Outside grass lines in 8-12 foot depth range Deep to shallow transition areas near laydowns	Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly, especially those suspending in 5-7 foot zone Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged around rock and wood structure Spinnerbaits with single Colorado blade near rock and grass during warmer periods	Shad concentrated around main lake structure Bluegill relating to remaining grass and cover	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Craw Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	45-55	Striped bass are consistently holding in mid-depth ranges (15-20 feet) due to less stratified winter water column Fish are actively schooling and following shad schools, with feeding periods most active during warmer parts of the day More predictable location patterns due to reduced thermal stress, often relating to structure and bait concentrations	Main lake points adjacent to river channels in 15-20 foot depth range Deep water channel bends near submerged vegetation Protected coves with bait concentrations	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Umbrella Rigs Blade Baits	Schooling shad concentrated in mid-depth ranges Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Cedar Lake, IL

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points with grass edges in 5-15 foot range	Brush piles adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to river channels and spawning tributaries	Channel swings and deeper structures in 15-25 foot range
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Flooded brush and laydowns in protected areas	Secondary points with wood cover
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main river channel bends and tributaries with good current flow	Main lake points adjacent to spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns in protected coves as indicated by recent reports	Grass lines in 8-12 foot range identified in lake profile
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to river channels, especially those with access to deeper water	Grass lines in 10-15 foot depths where shad are staging
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Grass lines and vegetation edges in 8-12 feet of water	Main lake points with healthy vegetation
Summer	Striped Bass	Deep river channels with depths of 20' or greater where fish are holding in cooler water	Main lake points intersecting with river channels, serving as staging areas for bait ambush
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with grass edges in 8-12 foot range	Shallow matted grass areas, especially near deeper water access
Fall	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to river channels where shad schools congregate	Creek arm entrances with depth transitions
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Main lake and secondary points with rock or wood in 15-20 foot depth range	Outside grass lines in 8-12 foot depth range
Winter	Striped Bass	Main lake points adjacent to river channels in 15-20 foot depth range	Deep water channel bends near submerged vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling near points and grass edges	Bluegill relating to hard cover and vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Adult Shad schooling in pre-spawn patterns	Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrating in creek arms and muddy water areas	Crawfish becoming active around wood cover and points
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Pre-spawn shad schools in tributary areas	Young of year baitfish emerging in shallows
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill moving shallow and relating to cover	Shad schools beginning to form in main lake areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Large schools of post-spawn shad	Smaller baitfish relating to grass lines
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling along main lake structure	Bluegill relating to shallow grass and matted vegetation
Summer	Striped Bass	Shad schools in deep water	Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling around main lake points and grass edges	Bluegill relating to shallow grass and matted vegetation
Fall	Striped Bass	Shad schools migrating to creek arms	Juvenile sunfish near grass lines
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrated around main lake structure	Bluegill relating to remaining grass and cover
Winter	Striped Bass	Schooling shad concentrated in mid-depth ranges	Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Cedar Lake, IL

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Green Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Green Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Shad Colors
Summer	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Craw Colors
Winter	Striped Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Enter your email address to get 10% off your first order

Join over 100k anglers who receive our newsletter.
Techniques, tips and tackle breakdowns personalized to your local area.

© 2025 Omnia Fishing Inc. All Rights Reserved

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy