Fishing Red Cedar Lake in Jefferson County, Wisconsin

• Overview

  Red Cedar Lake is listed under Jefferson County, Wisconsin. The surface lies 840 feet up. At 338 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Few waters listed in Jefferson County are bigger. Lake Ripley sits 1.7 miles from the bank. Beyond it, Cambridge at 2.2 miles and Lake Koshkonong at 5.9 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Red Cedar Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Public occurrence data for Jefferson County names common carp, bluegill and green sunfish. The county list is broader than any single water. The near bank of Red Cedar Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 72°F, the coldest about 17°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early April. The water is typically free of ice between early April and early December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Red Cedar Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Red Cedar Lake State Natural Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Lake Ripley at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Red Cedar Lake locally before you travel.