Cedar update

[Love2Cabin]

Spent about 4 hours on Cedar today. About 6 inches everywhere I drilled. Couple of spots of slush but not bad. Must be a night bite this year because we caught 1 fish. Had a lot come up and sniff it but would just swim away. At least I hope that is the case and it didn't get fished out.

[Skymech]

Cedar has definitely slowed down. After watching people taking their limits time after time for the last few years it's no wonder. There's a reason this lake is called the "Dead Sea"! Over the lady 25 years I've watched this lake go in cycles. The fishing pressure will let up and the lake will slowly recover. Right now I believe this lake has been overfished.

[Portlis]

Thanks for the update on the ice. I don't even care if the fish are biting, I'm itching to get out there since I haven't been out this year.

Did you walk out from the main access? Are people walking out from the north at all?

[Mike Dumas]

I was out a few weeks ago from the north access, if you are all talking about new Prague cedar. When I was out there was about 3-4" of ice, these warm temps and cold temps then warm now for the next week will put a Damper on ice making. At least the lows are in the teens a few days

[Love2Cabin]

We walked out from the north or west access. Not sure what you call it. Got the last parking spot around 10:30 or so. When we left there must have been 25 vehicles parked up on the road. Trail out to where the fish used to be is well packed down and easy to walk on. We fished off to each side in the unexplored territory. I agree that lake has been hit really hard the last few years and probably needs a break. Maybe the fish will be ready on Spring this year. Just nice to be back on the hard water.

[Gun Slinger]

Cedar has definitely slowed down. After watching people taking their limits time after time for the last few years it's no wonder. There's a reason this lake is called the "Dead Sea"! Over the lady 25 years I've watched this lake go in cycles. The fishing pressure will let up and the lake will slowly recover. Right now I believe this lake has been overfished.

People here in MN are greedy. It's all about themselves. I know several people who have seriously abused this resource.

[Love2Cabin]

Well the night bite was a little better. Still only managed 9 of them out of 4 hours of fishing. Tried about 10 different spots with the same results out of each. Really light bite when they would decide to go for it. Between 8 and 9 inches of ice in the spots I checked. Anyone else been having any better luck?

[fishdaddy]

There is 2 fish houses parked on the ice near shore at the northwest access that have gone through the ice. I couldn't get close enough to get names of owners but hope they can get them out.

Had 8" of ice and the fish were tight lipped.

[vibrantmink]

WAS OUT ON CEDAR LAST NIGHT ABOUT 6" OF ICE

1/2" OF WATER ON TOP

FISHING WAS SLOW FOR ME, JUST PERCH OFF THE STEEP DROP OFF

BRING YOUR SPIKES FOR YOUR BOOTS, ITS DANGEROUS OUT THERE. FELL ON BY BUTT TWICE.

[ThunderLund78]

Encouraging to hear you caught perch. They can be a tough find in that lake.

[Portlis]

Very little happening on Cedar for me. There are plenty of people out fishing, but I don't think much is getting caught. Between 2 of us tonight, we caught 1 decent crappie in about 4 hours on the ice. Also a couple small perch, which is something I haven't caught much of in Cedar before. I also caught my first bullhead on that lake, a nice big one at about a pound =P I think I'll be venturing elsewhere for my next trip. Anyone else having any luck out there?

[Topwater Scott]

My son and I were fishing Cedar yesterday afternoon/evening. Very slow is an understatement. We did get 2 nice crappies a couple little bass and a bunch of 4" perch in 4 hours on the ice. This is out 4th trip out there and about the same results every time out. Though I did get about a half dozen dandy gills last Sunday. We are staying away from the crowds and trying some new techniques.

[ThunderLund78]

Saw someone drove a minivan out there over the weekend. I don't feel comfortable driving my car on that lake when the ice is 20" thick, let alone now. I hope they made it off OK.

[MNice]

The aerators are fired up, about 10" of ice when we were drilling the holes for the signs.

[#fishhunt#]

Any updates on ice thickness for Cedar? With the cold last week are cars and trucks driving out? Thanks in advance!

[Joe28]

Hearing reports of 12-13 inches of ice. Yes, people are driving out vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Be careful out there though, remember last year (or two years ago?) when the truck fell through Cedar in February?

[ThunderLund78]

It's become a city yet again. People must be catching something to make it worth while--maybe just a buzz:). I personally haven't tried Cedar yet and I'm in no real hurry to try.

[gopher19]

Haven't been out on Cedar this year either. I know there was a mild kill after last winter which got rid of some of the smaller fish. Anyone have any fishing reports from the Cedar City with what's being caught out there?

[tj417]

Crappies are bigger, but you catch fewer of them.

[ThunderLund78]

Was out at my bro-in-laws shack with my 4-year-old on Sat. night for about an hour around dusk. In that hour, one crappie came through the hole and it was about on-par with what they've been catching-- 9-10". There did seem to be plenty of fish on camera, though. Saw a lot of crappie, gills and many more perch than I was expecting to see. All tight-lipped though. I think the comotion on the ice above probably has some effect on the bite. When I stepped out of the shack to go home, it was just after sunset and it might as well have been Eelpout fest out there . It smelled great, lot of grills and smokers going! There was an unending chorus of vehicles, augers, sleds and 4-wheelers along with the whooping and howling of the people partaking in the fun. Cool atmosphere, but I think if you wanted to actually catch fish, you'd have to explore the uninhabited areas of the lake.

One thing that struck me was that the ice was 14" thick - TOPS! Definitely enough to support a car or your average truck but the fact that there was a parking ramp's worth of vehicles and big wheelhouses concentrated on one are of the lake is pretty amazing.

[Love2Cabin]

I hear you on the zoo of people out there. Barely enough room to drive around. I went to 5 of those uninhabited locations on the lake last Saturday and never marked a fish. I can't seem to find them this year. My guess is they must all be living under the big sea of houses. If any one wants to share the secret my son and I are all ears.

Thanks

[MidCoast]

It is so hard to fish this lake because all of the decent to good spots have houses on top of them already. People's permanents really forces you to fish outside of the decent and good areas.

[sleepfishrepeat]

I hear you on the zoo of people out there. Barely enough room to drive around. I went to 5 of those uninhabited locations on the lake last Saturday and never marked a fish. I can't seem to find them this year. My guess is they must all be living under the big sea of houses. If any one wants to share the secret my son and I are all ears.

Thanks

The fishing has slowed down by a lot since earlier in the month but fishes can still be caught. From my experience its a waiting game but you have to be there early. Get there by 6 am and set up and wait for the fishes to come through. Fish until 9 am and they will turn off. Fishing just outside the village on the basin will be just fine. My best lure is a perch colored spoon with spikes or waxies. Good luck

[Love2Cabin]

Thanks for the update. Never have tried early and unfortunately probably won't. My son hates mornings worse than I do. Good to know there is a chance though.