Manson Heights Lake Fishing near Knoxville, Illinois

• Overview

  Manson Heights Lake stands in Knox County, Illinois. Around the bank it is rolling bush. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. By elevation it is in the upper part of our Illinois listings. For supplies, Knoxville is 8.8 miles out. It is 35 miles to North Peoria, the nearest city. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Manson Heights Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Survey and observation records for Knox County include johnny darter, largemouth bass, white sucker and slenderhead darter. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The near bank of Manson Heights Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 22°F in January up to 75°F in July. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Once it clears, about mid March, the fishing comes on quickly. From about mid March to around mid December, expect open water on the long-run figures. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It sets the rhythm of the year at Manson Heights Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Public data records a boat ramp half a mile out. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A platform or pier sits within half a mile. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. For a change of water, Peterson Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Check the position at Manson Heights Lake before loading the car.