Rush Lake

Rush Lake

View in the App
Size
751ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Rush Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye

Rush Lake Overview

Quality largemouth bass and bluegill. Most northern pike are under 30-inches.

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Whitefish Chain including connected Cross Lake Reservoir, Lower Hay, Arrowhead, Bertha, Clamshell, Big Trout, Pig, Island-Loon, Rush-Hen, Dagget, and Little Pine lakes

  • Crappie: Daily limit five.
  • Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Features

Before the Army Corp of Engineers constructed the dam along the Pine River, the Whitefish Chain was just a few lakes that were connected by smaller tributary streams. The dam was the fourth dam to be placed along the Pine River, with the sole purpose of helping the Mississippi River stay navigable below St. Paul. Completing of the dam made the water level rise 10 feet, thus connecting the 16 lakes that make up the Whitefish Chain of lakes. Covering close to 14,000 acres, Whitefish Chain of lakes is a popular recreation destination for many visitors. Whitefish Chain serves as one of the Minnesota DNR’s primary walleye egg take sites. With the eggs that are collected the lake is stocked annually with 5,000,000 walleye fry. More stocking is done every other year with walleye fingerlings. Along with good numbers of walleyes the Whitefish Chain boasts excellent populations of northern pike, black crappies, perch, lake whitefish, ciscoes, bluegills, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Whether anglers fish open water or come to the lake to ice fish, they have many different options on Whitefish Chain. Some lakes are gin clear and deep, while some are shallow with murky water. Anglers can fish weeds, or one of the many rock bars that are littered throughout the lakes. Closed throttle and no-wake regulations are in effect in certain areas of the chain. During summer months and especially on weekends, recreational boating traffic can hamper fishing efforts.

Forage

Perch, juvenile panfish, common shiner, mimic shiner and darters are common. Additionally, cisco (tullibee) are used by lake trout, northern pike and walleyes in deep-water environments. The state notes that perch are the primary forage for walleye and northern pike.

Seasonal Movements

A significant movement of walleye to the three major inlet areas occurs in early spring. The Pine River receives the majority of the fish. After spawning, walleye disperse throughout the chain. Locals have reported that a late fall movement occurs into Cross Lake.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Start 7-Day Free Trial
Buy onX Fish Midwest

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-9 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
Crappie
fish
5-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
8-14 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Northern pike
fish
13-33 in
Length Range
22 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Perch
fish
5-7 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2000
Jun
View in the App
Trophy Potential
Walleye
fish
19-31 in
Length Range
24 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2011
Jun
2018
Jun
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201830
View in the App

Nearby Lakes

waterbodys

Hen Lake

Size: 128 acres

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

McClain Lake

Size: 38 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Island Lake

Size: 182 acres

Fish Species: 9

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Cranberry Lake

Size: 6 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Loon Lake

Size: 48 acres

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Ox Lake

Size: 241 acres

Fish Species: 8

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Daggett Lake

Size: 255 acres

Fish Species: 9

Boat Launch: No