Fishing Cedar Lake

AKA: Cedar Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Cedar Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Cedar Lake, IL

Popular Fish Species Cedar Lake, IL

Crappie Fishing

When fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. With a history of good crappie fishing, Cedar Lake continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Cedar Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Cedar Lake is a popular bass fishing tournament lake with annual events held by local and state fishing organizations. Both weekend and tournament anglers are catching bass in good numbers. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. A history of careful fisheries management by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. In Cedar Lake, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Cedar Lake Popular Fish - Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish Fishing

Fishing for redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, is popular here at Cedar Lake. Like most bream, they are a popular species with young and old, as well as beginners and seasoned anglers alike. This year, much like recent years, the redear sunfish population is healthy and always looking for something edible. Redear sunfish fishing is about as simple as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything eatable, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Redear prefer clear, warmer water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.

Cedar Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, green sunfish, redear sunfish and warmouth and striped bass at Cedar Lake in Illinois.

With 40 miles of scenic shoreline and 1,750 surface acres, Cedar Lake offers fishing and boating at the southern tip of IL, 5 miles south of Carbondale. Boat outboard motors are limited to a maximum of 10 horsepower, making this a popular lake ideal for canoes, kayaks and row boats.

Cedar lake offers a nice variety of fish species, but the fishing is best for largemouth bass, redear sunfish and striped bass. Other options include catfish, crappie and bluegill. Two boat launch ramps are open to the public.

Primary fish species residing in Cedar Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Cedar Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NO
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cedar Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Cedar Creek Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Cedar Lake Boat Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Boat Dock Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.