Lower Cedar Lake Fishing Guide, Yakima County, Washington

• Overview

  In Washington, Lower Cedar Lake belongs to Yakima County. The country round it is pine and birch from end to end. About 2 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Yakima County standards. For a base, Tieton sits 32 miles out. The big place round here is Kent, 53 miles distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lower Cedar Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across Yakima County include rainbow trout, pumpkinseed and mountain whitefish. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Lower Cedar Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect August near 56°F and January near 25°F on the long-run figures. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late April. Average temperatures cross freezing around late April in spring and again near late November in autumn. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lower Cedar Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Cedar Lake, 0.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Lower Cedar Lake are worth checking on the day.