Top fish species at Buffalo Creek Reservoir

App Section

Check which species have trophy potential in Buffalo Creek Reservoir

Buffalo Creek Reservoir fishing reports

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Loading...

Largemouth bass

length · weight

Fishbrain
More catches in the app...

Continue browsing catches and catch locations in the Fishbrain app

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

General info

Buffalo Creek Reservoir is a lake located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Northern pike, and Bluegill.

Location

42°09′24.5″N 87°59′37.2″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Buffalo Creek Reservoir?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Buffalo Creek Reservoir. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

Bite time image

Fishing regulations at Buffalo Creek Reservoir, IL

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Illinois can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Additional information
There is no statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Season open: year-round
Northern pike

Northern pike

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Bag limit3

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size24" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Additional information
All Northern Pike taken must be 24-inches total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River and Ohio River where there is no size limit. No more than 3 Northern Pike may be taken per day, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.
Synonyms
Esox lucius
Season open: year-round
Bluegill

Bluegill

Regulation boundaryIL Illinois State Waters
Additional information
There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site-Specific Regulations. 
Edibility
Catch, Clean, Cook Bluegill
Synonyms
Lepomis macrochirus
License Icon
Local laws and licenses

Illinois fishing license

Get license

Reviews of Buffalo Creek Reservoir

1.0
Loading...

1 ratings

5
4
3
2
1
Top reviews

Cities nearby

Buffalo Grove

1.8 miles away

Palatine

3.7 miles away

Wheeling

4.0 miles away

Arlington Heights

4.3 miles away

Prospect Heights

5.0 miles away

Lake Zurich

5.5 miles away

Vernon Hills

5.6 miles away

Rolling Meadows

5.9 miles away

Barrington

6.9 miles away

Mount Prospect

7.0 miles away

Deerfield

7.3 miles away

Mundelein

7.8 miles away

Northbrook

8.3 miles away

Lake Forest

8.9 miles away

Libertyville

9.1 miles away

Highland Park

9.5 miles away

Des Plaines

9.7 miles away

Lake Barrington

9.7 miles away

Schaumburg

9.9 miles away

Hoffman Estates

10.1 miles away

Glenview

10.2 miles away

Elk Grove Village

10.4 miles away

Wauconda

10.9 miles away

North Chicago

13.0 miles away

Anything missing or inaccurate?

Suggest changes to improve what we show.

Suggest changes

FAQ about Buffalo Creek Reservoir fishing

📍 Where is Buffalo Creek Reservoir located?
Buffalo Creek Reservoir is a lake located in Lake County, Illinois, United States. Its coordinates are:
42°09′24.5″N 87°59′37.2″W
.
🎣 Where on Buffalo Creek Reservoir is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on Buffalo Creek Reservoir by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in Buffalo Creek Reservoir?
The most common species in Buffalo Creek Reservoir are:
📢 What are the latest Buffalo Creek Reservoir fishing reports?
The latest Buffalo Creek Reservoir fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at Buffalo Creek Reservoir?

Fishing in Illinois requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Options include resident, non-resident, annual, short-term, and combination licenses, purchasable online or at licensed agents.

In Illinois, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
App Section
Download Fishbrain and fish smarter
Unlimited access to the best fishing spot finder in the game. Get all the fishing intel you need to start catching more, and bigger, fish.

Free trial available

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...