Cedar Lake in Cass County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Cedar Lake stands in Cass County, Minnesota. What surrounds it is mixed forest. At about 32 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Head to Park Rapids, 24 miles away, for anything you forgot. Bemidji lies 27 miles off, Menahga another 33 miles. Within a short run: 2.2 miles away is Lembke Lake, 2.5 miles out stands Benedict Lake, 2.9 miles away is Little Bass Lake, 3 miles out stands Kaylor Fishpond and 3.2 miles away is Lake May. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Cedar Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Cass County include largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Fish Cedar Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 68°F and January reads 6°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. Averages place the thaw at mid April and the freeze at late November. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Anyone fishing Cedar Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lembke Lake, 2.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Cedar Lake before loading the car.