Fishing Rush Lake

Rush Lake offers excellent northern pike fishing with a naturally reproducing population showing above-average growth (+0.7 index). The 2004 survey caught 81 pike ranging 18-38 inches with a modal length of 24.5 inches and good numbers of trophy-sized fish over 30 inches. Pike concentrate in the northeast area during spawning, making it a prime fishing location. The age structure shows 62% of pike are ages 3-4, with a strong age-5 class comprising 17% of the population. Growth analysis suggests the lake could support northern pike trophy fishery status with minimum ultimate size of 26 inches at age 10. This 119-acre lake reaches 57 feet deep with 28% of the lake deeper than 20 feet, providing excellent pike habitat. Bottom substrate transitions from marl and sand nearshore to silt and organic material in deeper areas. The fish community has evolved since early surveys when bluegill and black crappie dominated catches with slow growth - pike predation has improved panfish growth rates. Recently introduced gizzard shad provide additional forage for pike. Historical stocking from 1984-1995 established the current population, but natural reproduction now sustains it without supplemental stocking. The 1994 year class pike fed live minnows at the hatchery showed better survival than those on artificial diets. Catch rates of 6.75 pike per net lift suggest moderate density, lower than nearby Van Auken Lake but sufficient for quality fishing. Large pike up to 38.5 inches indicate the lake's trophy potential, though harvest pressure may limit numbers of fish over 30 inches.