Birkey Lake Fishing Guide, Tazewell County, Illinois

• Overview

  Birkey Lake is one of the Tazewell County listings for Illinois. Country round the bank runs to lake country bush. At roughly 10 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Marquette Heights lies 3.6 miles from the water. Pekin lies 3.7 miles off, North Pekin another 4.1 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Birkey Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Fish documented in Tazewell County include common carp, white perch, goldfish and bluegill. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Read Birkey Lake for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 75°F; by January the average is down near 22°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Count the season from break-up, usually mid March. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid March in spring and again near late December in autumn. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Birkey Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Lutticken Lake is 1.2 miles off. Signs at Birkey Lake carry more weight than any list.