Busse Lake
Busse Lake, also called Busse Woods Reservoir, is a reservoir of about 460 acres in the Ned Brown Forest Preserve in Cook County between Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg. It is known for largemouth bass, muskie and walleye close to Chicago.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Muskellunge
Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Busse Lake Boating CenterRampTrailer-friendly launch ramps near the boathouse; rental canoes, kayaks, rowboats and paddleboats April to OctoberDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the IDNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Busse Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Illinois Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Busse Lake Boating Center bait shop (boathouse)NearbyNed Brown Forest Preserve, Busse Woods, Cook County, IL708-557-4000Directions ↗
Local tips
- The deepest water is in the main and south pools.
- Rowboats can be rented with or without trolling motors if you have no boat.
- The boathouse sells bait and tackle in season.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Illinois lakes
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.