Rush

Rush Lake is 5,337-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County two miles north of Ottertail, MN. Rush Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots and marshes. Rush Lake has a maximum depth of 68 feet; however, 62% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the survey was 9.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 3.5 to 8.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Rush Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the northeast and southwest shorelines of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush and common cattail are located along various shorelines of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush and cattail provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and can absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Rush Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Rush Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Walleye abundance has increased from previous surveys. Age data indicate that the 2022-year class is strong and should provide excellent Walleye angling for several years. Walleye growth rates are fast with an average length of 15.0 inches at four years of age. Largemouth Bass are extremely abundant, exhibit consistently good reproduction, and possess a quality size structure. Largemouth Bass up to 18.0 inches in length were captured. A high-density Bluegill population exists, with quality fish present as well. Age data indicates that Bluegill recruitment has been consistently good in recent years. Fish ranged in length from 2.4 to 8.7 inches with 57% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.0 inches at seven years of age. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.1 to 12.4 inches. Several strong year classes should provide consistently good crappie angling for several years. Sixty percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 10.9 inches at five years of age. There are no special or experimental fish harvest regulations in effect for Rush Lake. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Rush Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Rush Lake is 5,337-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County two miles north of Ottertail, MN. Rush Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots and marshes. The maximum depth is 68 feet; however, 62% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The Secchi disk reading during the 2022 lake survey was 5.2 feet. Previous Secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.5 to 8.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Rush Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose most of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the northeast and southwest shorelines of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are located along various shorelines of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms and absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Rush Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Rush Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. A spring trap netting survey was conducted in 2025 to collect data on the Bluegill population. This was the first survey specifically targeting Bluegill on Rush Lake. A high-density Bluegill population exists, with quality fish present as well. Age data indicates that Bluegill recruitment has been fairly consistent in recent years. Fish sampled ranged in size from 2.4 to 8.7 inches in length, with 57% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater. Bluegills attain an average length of 8.0 inches at seven years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Rush Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Rush Lake is 5,337-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in central Otter Tail County two miles north of Ottertail, MN. Rush Lake is part of the Otter Tail River Watershed. The Otter Tail River inlet is located along the north shoreline while the outlet is located along the southwest shoreline of the lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of agricultural land interspersed with hardwood woodlots and marshes. The maximum depth is 68 feet; however, 62% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2022 lake survey was 5.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.5 to 8.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline of Rush Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose a majority of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the northeast and southwest shorelines of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Large stands of hardstem bulrush are located along various shorelines of the lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as hardstem bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as an important nursery area for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Rush Lake is a popular angling lake during both the open water and ice fishing seasons. Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Bluegill are the dominant gamefish species in the fish community of Rush Lake. The prolificacy of these species can be attributed to the abundance of suitable spawning habitat that is available. Walleye abundance has been at a lower level in recent surveys compared to historical abundance. Walleyes ranged in length from 4.5 to 18.7 inches with an average length and weight of 12.7 inches and 0.7 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.5 inches at four years of age. Northern Pike abundance has historically remained at a low to moderate density. The size structure of the Northern Pike population has consistently been poor. Pike ranged in length from 17.6 to 29.0 inches with an average length and weight of 20.8 inches and 1.7 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 18.6 inches at three years of age. Bluegill abundance is at a moderate density with a quality size structure. Thirty-nine percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length and 22% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills exhibit good growth rates with an average length of 8.2 inches at seven years of age. Black Crappies ranged in length from 4.4 to 13.2 inches. The 2018 and 2021 year classes of Black Crappies are strong and should provide consistently good crappie angling for several years. Fifty-two percent of the Black Crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappies attain an average length of 9.8 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Rush Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2017. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Walleye, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Bluegill in Rush. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Rush. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Rush has a maximum depth of 68 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Rush is from 2025.

Yes — Rush has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.