Cedar Lake - ice fishin

[Snooter]

Hi guys

First post, firt time on an MN forum!

I actually live in Des Moines, Iowa, and our company owns a cabin that sits on Cedar Lake. Well, since I'm the only sportsman at our company, our cabin is readily available during the winter months. I grew up ice fishing all the time for walleye's and northerns, and it's been a while since i've been out. So, i was thinking about hitting cedar lake sometime this winter.

So, would any of you fine folks be willing to lend me some advice on the lake? I've read a few documents on the lake, but nothing that relates directly to it's ice fishing. First off, do people even go out there when it's iced?!

I'd love to get into some eye's up there if anyone can point me in the right direction. I still have most of my equiptment, augers, tips, bla bla bla so I should be set. What would you guess the average ice thickness is between the January-February time periods?

Ok, i'll stop there. Thanks for any advice you can give!

[Corey Bechtold]

Welcome to FM Snooter! Glad you are here.

Can't help you much on Cedar but if you are looking for some Walleye fishing Clearwater is right next to Cedar and offers plenty of opportunities. There is a lot of structure on Clearwater but keep moving and checking common spots and you'll eventually run into some eyes. Both lakes are popular but don't see as much pressure during the Ice season as they do in the Open water.

Be careful on both lakes and don't try to run between the basins on Clearwater or Cedar. Each year there are wheelers, sleds and vehicles that seem to find their way through those spots.

Check in this forum later during the Ice season and see what's happening. Be safe and have a good Ice season.

Take care,

Corey Bechtold

[jigginjim]

Snooter, welcome to fishing minnesota. Cedar and clearwater are both very good lakes to target in the winter. You asked about ice in jan. -feb. part of the season? If it's a colder winter, you can be faceing 24" plus inches ice. A warm season you can be on only 12". Good luck

[kc0myy]

Cedar is one of the last lakes be iced over. Alots of springs in that lake. I don't ice fish that lake for that reason. But I have not heard of any cars 4-wheelers or sleds going into the ice. I hope I helped you.

later good luck. I can't wait intell ice comes!!!

[Bobberboy]

Snooter,

I've had very good luck on Cedar for Eyes. By Mid January to the first part of Ferruary they seem to slow down, keep that in mind as you schedule your time.

You can catch Northerns off the weed lines in about 10 to 12 FOW on shiners. They seem to be active most of the winter.

There are also crappies to be caught around dusk. I've had the best luck on gold hooks and a minnow with a slip bobber. The seem to come and suspend in the 30+ FOW areas so a flasher is needed to produce the best results.

I fish the lake quite a bit early in the winter. I'm a quarter mile from the landing, so it's quick and easy for me.

Hope to see you on the ice.

"Your bobbers down!"

[Fever]

Hey Bobberboy, just wondering if you had been over to Cedar to check ice recently. I was out there earlier tonight around 6pm. Went north from the south east channel towards the main part of the south basin so to speak. Anyway, the channel had 4+ inches and as I got toward the opening I got around 2 or so inches. Busted through with the chissel with two hits. Decided to turn around and give it a couple days yet, (three little ones at home). Would have fished there in the channel but water depths of 3-5 ft didn't appeal to me as I was thinking eyes or crappies... Hope things get better by Sat afternoon as I was planning on getting out.

[Bobberboy]

I went out last night as well. I was on the north end by the park. Caught 1 eye around 8 inches. Lost one because I had my drag set to loose and had one come and take a look. I was fishing in about 16 FOW. Jigging spoon and minnow. I'm going in a little shallower tonight.

There was about 5 inches of solid ice and some guy with a snowmobile was running around. He did make it home safely so I think life is good.

"Your bobbers down!"

[Fever]

You had 5 solid on the north side? I was told the south side usually freezes 1st. I hope by Sat things get better. I don't feel all that comfortable walking around on 2 inches. Wonder why that is. What time were you out? Did you see anyone else besides the snowmobiler? Anyone south of you at all? Crazy how much that couple inches of snow insulates that ice. Its been well below freezing now for about a week and still unfavorable ice on the south side....

[Bobberboy]

I wouldn't walk on 2 inches of ice either.

There were 2 guy to the east of me and a shack down by the Hwy. 6 landing.

The North side was open until Saturday evening so it didn't get any snow on it. It sure does make a difference.

"Your bobbers down!"

[Fever]

Went out this afternoon and only got 3 inches on the far south side... turned around and went home. I made it out to Waconia. Went out from the in town Marina a few hundred yards and we got 5 plus inches. We caught a crap load of small sunnies and a few perch. Kept a few. T-water... I think its a no go for Cedar tomorrow. I think as far as the south side is concerned we give it a few more days...

[Fever]

Hey Bobberboy, any stories from the weekend? Wondering how things are on the lake. What is with the slow freeze on the south side? Any ideas? Should be good by now don't you think?

[Bobberboy]

I fished Saturday and Sunday evenings and only managed 1 eye.

Decided to give it a rest for a week or so. We fished Pleasant last night and managed a few crappies and a Northern. That's better than stairing at a blank Vexilar.

I don't know what the thin ice issue is on that side of the lake. I assume there are some springs in that area keeping the water a bit warmer and moving.

They were parking right next to the shore on Sunday.

"Your bobbers down!"

[Fever]

Bobber boy, hows the action on Cedar? Been sick the last few days and haven't been able to get out. Christmas break coming up soon though. Have you seen any portables out on the south side yet? How is the ice thickness? Finally, hows the bite been? Sorry for all the questions but a little info could influence my decision. I would have to drive up from Lester prairie and would hate to waste valuable fishing time. It is few and far between the way it is... Thanks Fever...

[dewoutdoor70]

find some structure and you will find some eyes