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BUSSE LAKE (CCFPD)
Lake Information
County: Cook
Acreage: 557
Average Depth: 5.51 feet
Shoreline Length: 20.4 miles
Recreational Amenities
Boat Fishing? Electric only
Boat Ramps? Yes
Boat Rental? Yes
Skiing? No
Swimming? No
Picnicking? Yes
Camping? No
Trout stocked in fall
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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.
Fish Stocking | |||
Year |
Species |
Size |
Count |
2022 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
12500 |
2022 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
405 |
2022 |
Northern Pike |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
468 |
2022 |
Rainbow Trout |
Adult |
2007 |
2022 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
21087 |
2023 |
Channel Catfish |
Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7" |
12500 |
2023 |
Muskellunge |
Adult |
409 |
2023 |
Northern Pike |
Non-vulnerable 8 - 10" |
460 |
2023 |
Rainbow Trout |
Adult |
2004 |
2023 |
Walleye |
Fingerling 1 - 3" |
20900 |
Additional information for stocking on Busse Lake - FPDCC
Fishing Outlook ( Full PDF Report )
Click here for a list of all reports.
Species |
Rank |
Fish Status |
Good | In 2013, crappie ranged from 5.8” to 10.9” long. Most crappie are slightly less than 9” long, but a few larger fish are present. Catching larger fish is dependent on finding suitable structure and fishing for them seasonally. As predator abundance and sizes increase, the crappie population improve. Site Regulation: 15 fish daily limit, no length limit. | |
Good | In 2013, survey data indicated bluegills approached 7.5”, but did not exceed that length. The increased predation by muskie and the abundant walleye and bass populations should help “contain” bluegill so that over time their maximum size improves. Bluegill abundance is good, but their maximum size could use some improvement and that takes time. Site Regulation: 15 fish daily limit, no length limit. | |
Very Good | Catfish are stocked annually at 8” to 10” long to supplement sport fishing opportunities; fish up to 24” and 5.5 lbs. were recently collected, suggesting anglers targeting them should be in for a fight. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, no length limit. | |
Very Good | Bass were collected in the Main Pool at a rate of 0.73 fish/minute compared to 0.38 fish/minute in the South Pool, but fish from the South Pool were slightly larger with several fish over 18” in the sample. For the lake as a whole, 83% of the sample exceeded 12”, 33% exceeded the legal length limit of 15”, and 8% were at least 18” long. The population appears to be stable and anglers targeting bass should be very happy. Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 14" length limit. | |
Good | In 2017, 96 muskie were “rescued” below the spillway and returned to the boat launch in the Main Pool; fish ranged in length from 23” to 42” long; to date the longest muskie measured by IDNR/County Biologists was 42” long. | |
Excellent | During 2015, we weighed and measured over 62 walleye during sampling and “rescue” operations; fish ranged from 13.5” and 26” long. 79% of those fish were longer than 18” (the legal limit) and 45% exceeded 20” long, so anglers targeting walleye should be very happy! Site Regulation: 6 fish daily limit, 18" length limit. | |
Location: Busse Lake is located south of Higgins Road (Rt 72), east of Route 53 and west of Arlington Heights Road, near Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Description: Busse Lake is 457 acres (Main Pool 325 acres, South Pool 115 acres, North Pool 17 acres) and has a maximum depth 19 feet and an average depth 5.5 feet. The lake was created in 1978 when Salt Creek was dug and dammed. The Main Pool and South Pool are deeper lakes that support excellent sport fish populations. The North Pool is an isolated lake and provides more of a small pond fishery. It is stocked in the fall with Rainbow trout. Fishing piers, handicap access, boat/kayak rentals, and live bait/tackle are available throughout the summer from a concessionaire. Concrete boat launches are available in the two larger impoundments, and a paved bike path with numerous parking areas makes accessing the lakes very easy. Boats with electric motors are allowed, however gas motors must be removed. No fish cleaning station is available.
History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Supplemental surveys to assess muskie growth, relocate muskie and walleye from below the spillway, and to collect samples requested by IEPA to update consumption advisories occur regularly. Fish surveys evaluating the overall fishery are regularly undertaken by either IDNR or FPDCC Fisheries Staff.
Muskie stockings began in the Main Pool in 2007; 100 of the original 840 fingerlings were implanted with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to track growth over time; in a separate project, the FPDCC has implanted several radio transmitters into fish to track movement.
The system receives biennial stockings of 800 – 12” muskie fingerlings (Main Pool), northern pike stockings were stopped in 2017 due to hatchery production cuts, 4500 – 8” channel catfish, and 20,000 – 2” walleye.
Approximately 19 species live in this system, including: the above mentioned, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, orange spot sunfish, white crappie, yellow perch, yellow bass, northern pike, black and yellow bullhead, common carp, golden shiners, white suckers and gizzard shad.
Additional Lake Information: Two pole and line only. Fishing piers, handicap access, boat/kayak rentals, and live bait/tackle are available throughout the summer from a concessionaire. Concrete boat launches are available in the two larger impoundments and a paved bike path with numerous parking areas makes accessing the lakes very easy. Boats with electric motors are allowed, however gas motors must be removed. No fish cleaning station is available.
Contact Information: Forest Preserve District of Cook County - Fisheries 708-403-6951IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Andy Plauck815-675-2386 ext 214
There were 2 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.
| Species | Total Fish Caught |
| Largemouth Bass | 59 |
Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 3.00 lbs | 2 2.50 lbs |
Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:
| 1 | 71.25 lbs |
| 2 | 39.44 lbs |
Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.
Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.
| 2024 Approved or Pending Tournaments | ||||||||
| Start Date | ID | Approval | Ramp Location | Bank/Boat Hook/Bow |
Max Boats | Species | Youth? | Open to Public? |
| May-02 | 26298 | Approved | Main Lake | boathook | 24 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | Yes | Yes |
| May-02 | 26299 | Approved | South Pool | boathook | 24 | Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass | Yes | Yes |
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