Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for the county around Busse Lake (FPDCC), today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Cook County
Sizing up Busse Lake (FPDCC)
In Cook County you will find Busse Lake (FPDCC), a lake whose IDNR acreage is left off here for a mismatch. IDNR writes that it bottoms out near 19 feet. Elk Grove Village lies roughly 2 miles off, the handiest Census place.
Boaters get 2 boat ramps from the IDNR map. Its limits differ from the statewide table in places.
19ft max depth (IDNR text)
2mapped ramps
6IDNR-rated species
8species named
Acres as listed on the IDNR IFishIllinois page (printed only where the page text gives the same size); depth only where the IDNR text states a maximum depth. IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026. Census 2023 places.
Location (IDNR)Busse Lake is located south of Higgins Road (Route 72), east of Route 53 and west of Arlington Heights Road, near Elk Grove Village, Illinois.
Description (IDNR)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 …
Amenities on the IDNR page for Busse Lake (FPDCC)
Family FriendlyNo
Handicap AccessYes
Boat FishingYes – Electric only
Boat RampsYes
Boat RentalsNo
CampingNo
PicnickingYes
SkiingNo
SwimmingNo
The rows above quote the IDNR page for Busse Lake (FPDCC).
IDNR IFishIllinois waterbody page, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
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…
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…
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”…
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…
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…
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…
The best IDNR grade at Busse Lake (FPDCC) goes to walleye: excellent.
Each species named here comes from the IDNR page, the stocking table or the record list for Busse Lake (FPDCC); it is not a creel count.
IDNR fishing outlook ratings and survey notes as printed on the IFishIllinois page, read November 4, 2026. IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026; IDNR Illinois state record fish list (keeper: Illinois Department of Natural Resources; no angler names printed), read November 4, 2026.
IDNRSupplemental surveys to assess Muskie growth, relocate Muskie and Walleye from below the spillway, and to collect samples requested by IEPA to update fish 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-inch Muskie fingerlings (Main Pool). Northern Pike stockings were stopped in 2017 due to hatchery production cuts, but 4500 8- to 10-inch Channel Catfish, and 20,000 2-inch Walleye occur annually.
IDNR fishery history text, ifishillinois.org, read November 4, 2026.
Fingerlings and adults IDNR added to Busse Lake (FPDCC)
Year
Species as listed
Number
Size class
2026
Channel Catfish
10,497
NonVulnerable (8 – 10")
2026
Muskellunge
403
Adult
2026
Northern Pike
466
NonVulnerable (8 – 10")
2026
Rainbow Trout
4,053
Adult
2026
Rainbow Trout
1,400
NonVulnerable (8 – 10")
2026
Walleye
24,480
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2025
Channel Catfish
12,504
Advanced Fingerling (4 – 7")
2025
Muskellunge
407
Adult
2025
Northern Pike
460
NonVulnerable (8 – 10")
2025
Rainbow Trout
4,246
Adult
2025
Walleye
22,684
Fingerling (1 – 3")
2024
Channel Catfish
7,500
Fingerling (1 – 3")
IDNR records these Busse Lake (FPDCC) stockings by year only.
IDNR fish stocking table on ifishillinois.org (year, water, species, size class and number as listed; no stocking dates published), read November 4, 2026.
Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including Golconda Marina), and Wabash Rivers, the d
All Muskellunge and Muskellunge hybrids (Tiger Muskie) taken must be 36" in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 Muskellunge or Muskellunge hybrid (Tiger Muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified u
Daily harvest limit is 2 Paddlefish. Please refer to Site Specific Regulations for the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa and the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.
no limit under 17 inches; 3 at 17 inches or longer
There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for Striped Bass (Ocean Rockfish), White Bass, Yellow Bass, and their hybrids, which are less than 17" in total length, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17" in total le
All Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid (Saugeye) taken must be 14" in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Wabash River, or except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 Walleye, Sauger, or their hybrid, either
At Busse Lake (FPDCC) a site-specific digest line beats the statewide row.
Local digest rules for Busse Lake (FPDCC)
Water as printed
Species
Rule as printed (code)
Busse Lake
All Fish
2 Pole and Line Fishing Only (1) (2). All live bait greater than 8 inches must be rigged with a quick set rig (4)
Busse Lake
Bluegill, Redear, or Pumpkinseed Sunfish
15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Busse Lake
Channel Catfish
6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Busse Lake
Large or Smallmouth Bass
14 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Busse Lake
Pure Muskellunge
42 inch Minimum Length Limit
Busse Lake
Trout
Fall Closed Season (7)
Busse Lake
Walleye, Sauger, or Hybrid Walleye
18 inch Minimum Length Limit; 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Busse Lake
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie
15 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Code 1Sport fishermen must not use more than 2 poles and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached (Alabama rigs not allowed) while fishing, except that legal size cast nets (in accordance with Section 810.50(a)(2)), shad scoops, and minnow …
Code 2Sport fishermen may not use a minnow seine, minnow trap, cast net or shad scoop for bait collecting in the following water areas: Fox Chain O' Lakes (Lake/McHenry Counties) – including the Fox River south of the Wisconsin-Illinois boundary to the …
Code 4When using live bait, all live bait in excess of 8" in total length shall be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be immediately set upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as follows: a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached …
Code 7It shall be illegal to possess trout during the period of October 1 to 5 a.m. on the third Saturday in October (both dates inclusive) that were caught during that period.
Busse Lake (FPDCC): what Prairie State anglers want settled
Which Illinois county is Busse Lake (FPDCC) in?
Busse Lake is located south of Higgins Road (Route 72), east of Route 53 and west of Arlington Heights Road, near Elk Grove Village, Illinois. You will find it in Cook County, about 2 miles from Elk Grove Village.
How much surface does Busse Lake (FPDCC) have by IDNR count?
The IDNR acre figures disagree, so none is given, and the IDNR text gives a 19 foot maximum depth.
How many IDNR-mapped ramps touch Busse Lake (FPDCC)?
Busse Lake Main Pool Boat Ramp is among 2 boat ramps.
What does IDNR say is biting at Busse Lake (FPDCC)?
IDNR rates bluegill as good; walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, channel catfish and black crappie also appear in its sources.
Does Busse Lake (FPDCC) have special regulations?
Statewide digest row for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass: Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. The same row adds a separate rule for rivers and streams, quoted in the limits band. Its own digest entry sits in the limits band too.
Does a visitor need a license at Busse Lake (FPDCC)?
Anglers 16 and older carry an Illinois fishing license ($15 a year for residents, $31.50 for nonresidents in 2026).
Can a bank caster do well at Busse Lake (FPDCC)?
The IDNR flags say Family Friendly No; Handicap Access Yes; no pier is on its asset list.
Which Illinois tackle counter is nearest Busse Lake (FPDCC)?
Lee's Bait & Tackle, about 1 mile away, tops the shop list.
Take the county blacktop out to Busse Lake (FPDCC)
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