I may have a chance to get in on a fishing trip to Bear creek lakes, (Bear creek, Little bear, upper bear and Cedar creek)around Russelville in north Al. around April 1'st and was curious if anybody has ever fished them and would share any info?

From what I understand they are somewhat remote, and we would be staying in cabins on one of the lakes.

Hopefully the water temp. will be warming up by then  :-/

I fish Cedar Creek 6 or 7 times a year. All these lakes are clear water lakes. Upper Bear is an excellent largemouth & spotted bass lake. The spotted bass have become so prevalent that they are requesting that you harvest all smaller spots you catch. Rattletraps, cranks, spinnerbaits and senko's will all produce well in April. Look for warmer water areas.

   Cedar Creek has a lot of standing timber in 30' & shallower water. Largemouth fishing is good but the crappie fishing is fantastic. Cedar is a deep lake but numerous humps show up in the middle of the lake (the same is true on Upper Bear). Make sure you have a good topo map as some of these humps contain prop busting stumps. You will be in 70' one minute and 5' the next. Checkout the numerous old roadbeds with cranks & spinners.

   Both of these lakes have produced 10lb+ Florida strain largemouth. Bear Creek lake is not in good shape right now due to the rebuilding of the dam. I believe Little Bear has also been down lately.

   Good luck!

Upper Bear is a great place to take a kid fishing in the summer. The small spots are busting the top of the water everywhere.

Sounds like a quiet, remote type of lake, with some good fishing, and I enjoy that about as much as anything. What would be a good time for prespawn bass in this area?