Cedar Lake, New York: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Herkimer County in New York is where Cedar Lake sits. The ground round it is rolling bush. At roughly 20 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The nearest place of any size is Cassville, 3.5 miles away. The nearest city of size is Syracuse, 49 miles away. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Cedar Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Herkimer County cover white sucker, yellow perch, brook trout, brown bullhead and brown trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. The shape of Cedar Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 68°F and January near 19°F. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Winter locks it down, and early April brings it back. On the long-run averages the water opens up around early April and starts locking again about mid December. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. Cedar Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Nothing in the way of made access shows up nearby: no ramp, no car park, no path. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Kibby Pond is 2.5 miles distant. Check the position at Cedar Lake before loading the car.