How to Fish Red Cedar Lake

Red Cedar Lake fishing FAQ

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

Water temp 46-55°F. Fish are actively transitioning to pre-spawn areas, staging on main lake points and extensive gravel flats adjacent to spawning areas Aggressive feeding behavior during warming trends, with fish actively chasing baitfish in the water column Key locations: Main lake points with gravel or rock composition; Extensive gravel flats near spawning bays; Rocky shorelines with scattered boulders. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses, Tubes dragged on gravel and rock transitions, Ned Rigs worked slowly along rocky points. Primary forage: Perch, Small baitfish relating to rocky structure. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

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

Water temp 43-52°F. Bass are actively moving to wind-blown shorelines near vegetation, staging for pre-spawn while feeding opportunistically on perch Fish are relating closely to cover but remaining mobile, responding well to various retrieve speeds due to increasing activity levels Key locations: Wind-blown shorelines with submerged vegetation, especially in areas with nearby deep water access; Protected coves with emerging vegetation, particularly those adjacent to points; Secondary points with mixed habitat (weeds and rock) leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked with varied cadence in the upper water column, Lipless Crankbaits burned through sparse vegetation, Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near cover. Primary forage: Perch - primary forage evidenced by fishing reports, Minnows - secondary forage mentioned in lake profile. Best bait colors: Purple Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 38-48°F. Pre-spawn walleye are actively moving from deeper wintering areas to staging areas near spawning sites, particularly around rocky points and gravel areas Fish are becoming more aggressive in feeding patterns as they prepare for spawning, especially during low-light periods Key locations: Rocky points and boulder areas in 8-15 feet of water; Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning sites; Areas near incoming creeks or current zones created by the lake's elongated shape. Best techniques: Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions, Live Bait Rigs with minnows near rocky structure, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow lifts and drops. Primary forage: Minnows congregating in pre-spawn areas, Small perch in transitional zones. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

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

Water temp 46-65°F. Actively moving into spawning areas, focusing on rocky and gravel areas in shallow water as evidenced by reported bed sighting Aggressive feeding behavior during pre-spawn, with fish responding well to moving baits like jerkbaits in shoreline areas Key locations: Shoreline-oriented rock/weed transitions near spawning flats; Gravel points with gradual slopes; Rocky areas with visible beds in shallow water. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked with varied cadence in shallow transition areas, Topwater walking baits for aggressive fish, especially as temperatures warm, Tubes or Ned Rigs worked around rocky spawning areas. Primary forage: Perch - primary forage as indicated in fishing reports, Smaller baitfish utilizing shallow rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Metallic Colors, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 46-65°F. Bass transitioning to spawning areas in protected coves and wind-sheltered zones, making frequent movements between staging and bedding areas Males actively guarding nests while females move between deep pre-spawn staging areas and shallow spawning flats Feeding activity increases during warm fronts, with bass particularly active during early morning and evening hours Key locations: Protected shallow coves with vegetation near deeper water access; Wind-protected shorelines with mixed rock and vegetation; Secondary points leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along vegetation edges, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas, Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shorelines between staging and spawning areas. Primary forage: Perch moving shallow near vegetation, Minnows schooling in pre-spawn areas, Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 42-52°F. Fish transitioning from winter deep water to shallow spawning areas, staging on points and breaks adjacent to spawning flats Active during low-light periods, particularly dawn and dusk, moving in groups along transition areas Males arrive first and stay longest on spawning areas, with females moving in briefly to deposit eggs Key locations: Rocky points and gravel areas near shoreline in 2-8 feet of water; Transition areas between deeper water and spawning flats; Protected coves and bays with firm bottom composition. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs with minnows worked slowly along transition areas, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with jigs tipped with minnows, Blade Baits worked slowly through staging areas. Primary forage: Smaller minnow species gathering in spawning areas, Young of year perch in shallow areas, Resident baitfish schools along transition areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 68-75°F. Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding near the surface and showing aggressive behavior, with topwater strikes indicating recovered energy levels after spawning Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns, using rock piles as primary holding areas Key locations: Rock piles in 5-15 foot depth range, especially those with nearby deeper water access; Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel composition; Weed edges adjacent to rocky structure where perch populations are concentrated. Best techniques: Hard Topwater (Prop) - work aggressively over rock piles during active feeding periods, Hard Jerkbaits - worked with moderate pauses around structure transitions, Drop Shot - for when fish move slightly deeper or become less aggressive. Primary forage: Perch - primary forage base confirmed by lake profile, Shad - successful bait patterns indicate presence as secondary forage. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Green Colors.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper water access points Fish are establishing summer feeding patterns, relating strongly to emerging weed growth and utilizing wind-blown areas for feeding opportunities Key locations: Weed edges in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas; Wind-blown points with vegetation; Shallow cover near deep water access. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically along weed edges, Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation, Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through cover. Primary forage: Perch moving along weed edges, Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge, Smaller panfish in shallow vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Green Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-62°F. Post-spawn walleye are actively feeding to recover energy, relating strongly to structural elements like weed edges, points, and cribs in 8-20 foot depth range Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, using wind-driven current seams near points and islands for feeding opportunities Key locations: Wind-swept points and island edges with access to deeper water; Emerging weed edges between 8-20 feet of water; Large boulder areas and cribs near transition areas. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions and structure edges, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around cribs and boulders, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along wind-blown points. Primary forage: Minnows concentrated near emerging weed growth, Young-of-year perch beginning to school near structure. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Red Cedar Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-78°F. Actively feeding along weed edges and rock/weed transition areas, particularly during morning and evening periods Utilizing rock-to-weed transitions as primary feeding zones, showing preference for areas with both cover types Key locations: Weed edges adjacent to rock structure or points; Rocky points and humps with nearby vegetation; Main lake points with mixed rock and weed composition. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and rock transitions, Drop Shot rigged with finesse baits around deeper rock structure, Tubes dragged across rocky points and humps. Primary forage: Crawfish - primary forage based on recent reports, Perch - confirmed by lake profile inferences. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Green Colors.

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

Water temp 74-76°F. Bass are actively feeding along weed edges, utilizing 8-20 foot depths as temperature refuge while maintaining access to forage Fish are showing mixed feeding patterns, with both bottom-oriented feeding (evidenced by Ned Rig success) and likely some low-light surface activity Key locations: Weed edges in 8-20 foot depth range, particularly where they intersect with points or other structure; Mixed habitat areas where weedy and rocky zones meet, creating prime ambush points; Deep weed edges adjacent to coves, offering both shade and feeding opportunities. Best techniques: Ned Rigs worked slowly along weed edges and bottom structure, Texas Rigs (Worming) through scattered vegetation, Drop Shot along deeper weed edges for suspended fish. Primary forage: Minnows, Perch. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Summer?

Water temp 72-78°F. Walleye are transitioning to deeper, cooler water near structure due to summer temperatures, actively feeding during lower light periods around deep structure like cribs, boulders, and tree tops Fish are showing preference for suspended presentations with live bait, suggesting a more selective feeding pattern typical of warm water conditions Key locations: Deep structure (cribs, boulders, tree tops) in 15-25 foot range; Well-defined weed edges between 8-20 feet of water; Points and humps adjacent to deeper water. Best techniques: Bobbers with slip float rigs using leeches on small jigheads, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along structure edges. Primary forage: Minnows, Young-of-year perch. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Smallmouth Bass on Red Cedar Lake in Fall?

Water temp 46-58°F. Actively feeding on perch around rock and boulder structure, preparing for winter Moving between shallow and deep humps based on forage location and weather conditions Showing increased feeding activity during calm periods, particularly responsive to bottom-oriented presentations Key locations: Deep humps with boulder structure; Rocky points and boulder fields; Transition areas between shallow and deep structure. Best techniques: Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly along bottom structure, Umbrella Rigs around humps and transition zones, Drop Shot with small profile baits near boulders. Primary forage: Perch, Small baitfish schools. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 52-68°F. Aggressively feeding on baitfish in preparation for winter, following shad and perch schools to shallow flats and back to deeper adjacent areas Moving between deep weed edges and nearby shallow feeding zones, particularly active during low-light periods Key locations: Deep weed edges adjacent to shallow flats, especially in 8-15 foot range; Wind-blown points with mixed vegetation and rock structure; Protected coves with remaining vegetation near deeper water access. Best techniques: Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges and across points, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching fall baitfish, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along deeper structure breaks. Primary forage: Schooling baitfish (shad patterns), Yellow Perch. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Fall?

Water temp 45-65°F. Walleye are actively feeding during fall turnover, following baitfish schools to shallower structures as water temperatures cool Fish become more aggressive in feeding patterns, with peak activity during dawn and dusk periods, especially around structural elements Key locations: Main lake points and humps adjacent to deep water, especially those with boulder or crib structure; Weed edges in 8-20 foot range where they intersect with hard-bottom areas; Island shorelines and nearby deep breaks, particularly on wind-blown sides. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive jigging action around structure, Live Bait Rigs with minnows worked slowly along breaks and edges, Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with crankbaits along weed edges and points. Primary forage: Young-of-year perch schooling near structure, Minnows concentrated around weed edges and points. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Winter?

Water temp 38-45°F. Suspending near deep structural elements (cribs, boulders) in 15-25 foot depth range, actively feeding during low-light periods Moving between deep structure and adjacent flats to feed on concentrated schools of baitfish Key locations: Deep water cribs and boulder fields near sharp breaks; Deep points and humps adjacent to primary lake basin; Deep edges of remaining weed growth near structure. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+), Blade Baits, Ice Fishing Spoons. Primary forage: Concentrated schools of minnows, Small perch. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Metallic Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Red Cedar Lake in Ice?

Water temp 34-39°F. Walleye will be relatively stationary, concentrating near bottom structure and following daily feeding windows, most active during dawn and dusk periods Fish will stage near deep structural elements adjacent to feeding flats, moving shallow during prime feeding periods Key locations: Deep cribs and boulder fields in 20-30 foot range adjacent to feeding flats; Transition areas between deep basins and structural elements like points and humps; Deeper edges of weed lines that remained green through early ice. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements near bottom, tipped with minnows, Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging followed by long pauses, Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set with live minnows at various depths to pattern fish. Primary forage: Minnows congregating near deep structure, Small perch relating to weed edges and cribs. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors.