Corn Crib Lake in Knox County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Corn Crib Lake is a Knox County water, in Illinois. The water sits 778 feet up. Small at around 16 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Compared with other Illinois water on our list, it sits high. The town to know is Knoxville, 11 miles out. North Peoria is the closest city, 34 miles away. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Corn Crib Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. County-wide records name johnny darter, largemouth bass, white sucker and slenderhead darter. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Corn Crib Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 75°F and January near 22°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. The lid usually goes in mid March, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. The season between ice runs from about mid March to mid December. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Corn Crib Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. A campsite is mapped about half a mile away, which makes an early start easier. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try North Lake, 0.9 miles away. Check the position on Corn Crib Lake before loading the car.