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Busse Lake is a reservoir located in Cook County, Illinois. It's part of the Ned Brown Preserve, commonly known as Busse Woods, which is managed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The lake and its surrounding area offer various recreational activities and natural beauty.
Size and Features: The lake covers around 584 acres and is surrounded by woodlands, wetlands, and open spaces. It's a man-made reservoir created by damming Salt Creek.
Busse Lake and the surrounding preserve provide a wide range of recreational activities for visitors. These include fishing, boating, hiking, biking, picnicking, and wildlife watching.
Boating and Fishing: Non-motorized boating is allowed on Busse Lake, making it suitable for kayaking, canoeing, and sailing. The lake is also a popular fishing destination, with anglers seeking species such as bass, catfish, bluegill, and crappie.
The Ned Brown Preserve features an extensive trail system that includes paved trails for biking and walking, as well as natural surface trails for hiking. The trails wind through the scenic woodlands and around the lake.The preserve offers designated picnic areas with tables, grills, and shelters, providing visitors with the opportunity to enjoy outdoor meals and gatherings.
Busse Lake and the surrounding habitat are home to a diverse array of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot various bird species, including waterfowl, herons, and songbirds. Deer and other animals can also be observed in the area.
The Busse Woods Elk Pasture Visitor Center serves as an educational hub for visitors, offering information about the preserve's natural features, history, and recreational opportunities.
The Forest Preserves of Cook County often organize events, workshops, and educational programs for visitors of all ages to learn about the local environment and conservation efforts.
During the winter months, Busse Lake and the preserve offer opportunities for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and other cold-weather activities, weather permitting.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Busse Lake, IL
- How big is Busse Lake?
- How deep is Busse Lake?
- What kind of fish can you catch in Busse Lake?
- What are the closest cities to Busse Lake?
- Are there places to stay in the Busse Lake area?
- Are there topographical lake maps available Busse Lake?
- Are there places to eat and drink near Busse Lake?
- What is the fishing outlook for Busse Lake?
- What is the average air temp for Busse Lake?
How big is Busse Lake?
Busse Lake is approximately 584 sq acres (2.4 sq km) in size with 20 miles (32.8 km) of shoreline.
How deep is Busse Lake?
Busse Lake is approximately 19 feet (5.8 m) at its deepest point with an average depth of 6 feet (1.8 m).
What kind of fish can you catch in Busse Lake?
Although thery may be others but anglers can expect to find a variety of fish including Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout and Walleye in Busse Lake.
What are the closest cities to Busse Lake?
Are there places to stay in the Busse Lake area?
Are you craving a weekend escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Or maybe you're an avid angler in search of the perfect fishing spot? Look no further! Busse Lake and its surrounding area offer an abundance of options to suit your needs. If you're in need of accommodation, check out our area map which highlights some of the best places to stay. And if you're looking for even more options, head on over to our Travel section. But why settle for a traditional hotel or resort when you can take your adventure to the next level by renting a RV? The open road awaits you!
More Lodging Options
More Lodging Options
Are there topographical lake maps available Busse Lake?
We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Busse Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.
Are there places to eat and drink near Busse Lake?
Yes, you can find numerous options in the area. Click the button below to see what's nearby.
What is the fishing outlook for Busse Lake?
What does the future look like for Busse Lake? We have some insignt on what to expect for a number of fish species in Busse Lake.
Explore the Busse Lake area in a RV
Are you looking for an adventurous vacation option that won't break the bank? Look no further than renting an RV! Contrary to popular belief, the process is much simpler than you might imagine. With just a few easy steps, you'll soon be experiencing the ultimate freedom and convenience of exploring the open road in your very own recreational vehicle. And the best part? RV travel can save you up to 60% compared to other types of vacations! With the money you'll save, you'll be able to travel even more and create unforgettable memories along the way. So why wait? Start planning your next adventure today with an RV rental. Learn more about renting a RV.
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History & Status of the 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.
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.
Controling Authority
Forest Preserve District of Cook County - Fisheries
708-403-6951
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Frank Jakubicek
815-675-2319
708-403-6951
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Frank Jakubicek
815-675-2319
What is the average air temp for Busse Lake?
Looking forward to your next adventure at Busse Lake? Don't forget to plan ahead! Weather can be unpredictable, but we've got you covered. On average, air temperatures during this time of year range from a high around 60°F (15°C) to a low around 41°F (5°C). Of course, these are just historical averages, so be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws your way. For the most up-to-date weather information, be sure to check out our Weather Bar located at the top of this page.
Busse Lake Reviews
Below is the word on street about Busse Lake.Have you been to Busse Lake? Why not share your personal reveiw with others?
Submit Review
mark m.
Chicago, IL
Water level was high, used a fly rod for practice catching small ones, switched to spinning rod with silver spoon and caught a northern, which was surprising. 24 inches, released for another day.
Reviewed Jul 21, 2017
matthew d.
Tried out Busse lake for my first time. i wouldn't say that its an over fished lake. the fish here are very finicky. However i did notice a few people keeping every fish they caught off shore. I think the DNR needs to step up their game out here and it will be a better lake for future fisherman. possibly set some lake specific regulations out here.
Reviewed May 3, 2013
doug h.
Busse Lake has a boat launch ramp. You access it off of East Higgins Rd near North Pool of Busse Lake. Launch appears to have 2 slips (concrete ramps) and parking for 44 vehicles with trailers
Reviewed Jul 3, 2012
More Nearby Lakes To Explore
There's more lake's to explore around Busse Lake...| DISTANCE | ACRES | MAX DEPTH | |
| Donut Lake | 5.5 mi | 20 | 35 ft |
| Opeaka Lake | 6.1 mi | 40 | 26 ft |
| Cloverdale Pond | 7.1 mi | 12 | 15 ft |
| Big Bend Lake | 7.2 mi | 27 | 25 ft |
| Belleau Lake | 7.5 mi | 12 | 32 ft |
| Mallard Lake | 7.5 mi | 75 | 25 ft |
| Axehead Lake | 7.7 mi | 17 | 31 ft |
| Beck Lake | 8.0 mi | 38 | 21 ft |
| Beck Lake | 8.0 mi | 38 | 19 ft |
| Bode Lake | 8.0 mi | 20 | 23 ft |
DISCLAIMER: Lake-Link Inc assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions of the information for Busse Lake. Although we strive to provide the most accurate information as we can the information contained in this page is provided on an "as is" basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.
