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Busse Lake
Channel Catfish
Best time: Evening and night
Use
Cut Shad or Chicken Liver
Smelly bait on the bottom — catfish use smell, not sight
1–2 oz sinker, 18" leader, 1/0–2/0 circle hook
How
Busse has massive catfish from 12,000+ stocked annually. Any bank spot in 8–15 ft at night.
Bluegill
Best time: Morning 6–9 AM
Use
Worm Under a Bobber
Standard bobber and worm in 3–5 ft near any weedy bank
Size 8 hook, float at 3 ft
How
Busse has 20+ miles of bank. Any shaded weedy area at dawn will produce limits of bluegill.
Largemouth Bass
Best time: Before 9 AM
Use
Topwater Popper
Floating lure that splashes when twitched — best in calm water at first light
Any popper, shad or frog color
How
Work the massive weed beds and points at dawn. With 557 acres, fish anywhere that looks good.
Regulations
Channel Catfishmin 12" · 6 per day
Bluegill25 per day
Largemouth Bassmin 14–18" slot (keep under 14" or over 18") · 4 per day (max 1 over 18")
All Illinois waters require a valid fishing license. Check IDNR iFish app for current stockings.