Cook County · lake
Busse Lake
Stocked 26× since 2021 · Illinois DNR
Busse Lake is a lake in Cook County, Illinois, stocked with Channel Catfish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike and Rainbow Trout — most recently on Jan 1, 2026. FishableWaters aggregates every stocking record for this water from Illinois DNR; the latest schedule and today's bite windows are above.
Best days this week
Days near a new or full moon tend to fish best.
Today's bite windows
Conditions, next 3 days
Today
Overcast
86°
59°
7 mph
0%
Fri
Drizzle
84°
63°
12 mph
61%
Sat
Rain
71°
67°
17 mph
84%
→ pressure steadyStable weather — expect a normal bite.
Stocking ledger
| — 2026 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 466 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 24,480 | 2" | |
| — 2025 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 407 | ||
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 460 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 4,246 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 22,684 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 12,504 | 5.5" | |
| — 2024 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 7,500 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 415 | ||
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 460 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 2,014 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 22,270 | 2" | |
| — 2023 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 12,500 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 12,500 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 409 | ||
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 460 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 2,004 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 20,900 | 2" | |
| — 2022 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 405 | ||
| Jan 1 | Northern Pike | 468 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 2,007 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 21,087 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 12,500 | 5.5" | |
| — 2021 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 453 | ||
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 3,257 | ||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 12,500 | 5.5" | |
When does Busse Lake get stocked?
Going by 26 records since 2021, stocking here peaks in January.
Angler reports
What's biting
No reports yet — be the first
Best bite times
No reports yet
Field notes
No notes yet
All Illinois waters with channel catfish → · All Illinois waters with muskellunge →
Nearby waters
- South Pool0.0 mi
- West Branch Salt Creek0.3 mi
- North Pool0.6 mi
- Busse Woods Reservoir0.9 mi
- Lake Cosman1.1 mi
- Spring Brook3.9 mi
- Kingsport Lake3.4 mi
- Meacham Creek4.4 mi
Seasons, limits, and rules are the state's call — check the official IL regulations and buy your license before you go. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Busse Lake fishing — FAQ
What fish are stocked in Busse Lake?+
Busse Lake is stocked with Channel Catfish, Muskellunge, Northern Pike and Rainbow Trout in Cook County, Illinois, most recently on Jan 1, 2026 by Illinois DNR. The full stocking ledger is on this page.
When does Busse Lake get stocked?+
Going by 26 records since 2021, stocking at Busse Lake peaks in January. Check this page for the season's scheduled and most recent stockings.
Do I need a license to fish Busse Lake?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check current seasons and limits before you go; both are linked on this page.
Where is Busse Lake?+
Busse Lake is a lake in Cook County, Illinois. Driving directions and an interactive topo map are on this page.
Data: Illinois DNR · updated Jan 1, 2026 · checked daily · we publish what agencies publish, nothing else.