Fishing Rush Lake

Rush Lake's fishing has changed dramatically over the past decade, with northern pike numbers collapsing from historical highs to barely detectable levels - only one legal-size pike was caught in the 2015 survey compared to abundant populations in past decades. The 355-acre system (224 acres natural plus 131 acres of flooding) offers decent bluegill fishing with 56% over 6 inches, though fewer large fish exist now compared to 2001. Rock bass have exploded in numbers and can reach 11 inches, providing consistent action but competing heavily with other panfish. Largemouth bass remain the primary predator but numbers are down from historical levels, with no fish older than age 7 collected. The lake stratifies sharply at 19 feet with dissolved oxygen dropping to near zero below the thermocline, concentrating summer fish in the upper water column. Over half the lake is less than 5 feet deep with sand and marl substrate, making it ideal shallow-water habitat. Zebra mussels arrived in 2013 and are now abundant, likely reducing overall lake productivity and affecting the entire food web. The 30-foot maximum depth and extensive shallow areas make this primarily a warm-water fishery, with smallmouth bass and pike struggling in the limited cool-water zones. Yellow perch remain stunted with nearly all fish under 8 inches, while pumpkinseed numbers have declined since the 1970s but still produce some quality fish to 9 inches. White suckers remain mysteriously absent despite being common in similar northern Michigan lakes. Rusty crayfish are also present, adding another invasive species pressure to the system.