Lake Windsor in Knox County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Windsor sits in Knox County, out in Illinois. Elevation runs to 761 feet. At about 31 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. Few waters listed in Knox County are bigger. The nearest place of any size is Knoxville, 11 miles away. Galva lies 12 miles off, Galesburg another 13 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Lake Windsor

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Species logged across Knox County include johnny darter, largemouth bass and white sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Lake Windsor gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 21°F in January and 74°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from mid March. Break-up near mid March, freeze-up near mid December: that is the shape of an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Windsor.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Should this one be busy, Roundhouse Lake is 0.4 miles off. The position on Lake Windsor is worth confirming on the day.