Cedar Lake Lodge: What to Bring for a World-Class Musky Adventure

Cedar Lake Lodge, located in Northern Ontario’s Sunset Country, sits in the heart of one of the best musky fisheries in Canada. The lake holds impressive numbers of musky in the mid- to high-40-inch range, with true giants pushing the 50-inch mark. But Cedar Lake is more than a musky destination; it’s also loaded with big smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, and northern pike. The lodge itself is clean, comfortable, well-run, and built for anglers. To make the most of this fishery, you need to come prepared.

Here are three essentials every guest should bring to Cedar Lake Lodge:

1. Bring the Right Flies:  Musky and Smallmouth Fly Patterns to Pack

Muskies aren’t picky about colour as much as they are about movement. Your fly needs to push water, kick, pulse, or glide; that’s what triggers a follow into a strike. Bring:

• Musky flies in a variety of sizes, colours, and profiles
• Patterns that move big water or create strong action
• Flies that imitate baitfish, suckers, and wounded prey
• Don’t forget smallmouth flies: Clousers, crayfish patterns, poppers, and big baitfish patterns like sculpins.

Musky will make your heart race, but Cedar Lake smallmouth are no joke either, and some push the upper end of what fly gear can handle.

2. Choosing the Right Fly Rods for Musky and Smallmouth

Casting musky flies all day takes horsepower. Bring rods that match the job:

• A 9-weight for smaller musky flies or calmer conditions
• An 11-weight for bigger flies, deeper lines, and windy days, it makes a huge difference.

A 7-weight for smallmouth bass. These smallmouth can be big, and a 6-weight won’t cut it. The 7-weight gives you the backbone to turn these fish and still enjoy the fight.

3. Fly Lines for Every Depth

Musky are ambush predators, and where they sit changes day to day. You need lines that let you cover the entire water column. Bring:

• A floating line for shallow bays, timber edges, and surface work
• Multiple sinking lines for musky—these are key.
  • Lines that suspend around 8 feet

Heavier depth chargers to get your fly down 12–15 feet

Being able to control depth is often the difference between seeing no fish and having one appear out of nowhere.

Good luck out there!

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