Cedar Lake, California: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Cedar Lake in the Shasta County part of California. It sits in open valley country. At roughly 8 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. For a base, Dunsmuir sits 12 miles out. Mount Shasta follows at 12 miles, then Weed at 16 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications. The far side sees far fewer people than the near one.

• Where to Fish on Cedar Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Species logged across Shasta County include Chinook salmon, green sturgeon, rainbow trout and brook trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Cedar Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 60°F, the coldest about 31°F. A lid forms in a hard winter only. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Time your trip to Cedar Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Lower Cliff Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the current arrangement for Cedar Lake.