Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Rush Lake Fishing guide
Rush Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 5,276 acres, reaching 68 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 5.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Excellent numbers8.4per gill net12"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 241 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 149 fish
2025Lengths measured · 92 fish
2022Lengths measured · 88 fish
2019Lengths measured · 98 fish
2016Largemouth bassPresent0.3per gill net10"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 10 fish
Recent · 2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2025Lengths measured · 9 fish
2019Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 5 fish
2016Only 5 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2013Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few1.2per gill net19"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 33 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 20 fish
2025Lengths measured · 13 fish
2022Lengths measured · 27 fish
2019Lengths measured · 44 fish
2016BluegillJust a few13.8per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 590 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 230 fish
2025Lengths measured · 152 fish
2025Lengths measured · 208 fish
2022Lengths measured · 233 fish
2019CrappieJust a few1.3per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 72 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 14 fish
2025Lengths measured · 58 fish
2022Lengths measured · 33 fish
2019Lengths measured · 36 fish
2016Yellow perchGood numbers5.2per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 133 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2025Lengths measured · 85 fish
2022Lengths measured · 27 fish
2019Lengths measured · 34 fish
2016Last recorded in the 2016 survey and not seen since.
Rock bassFair numbers0.5per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 18 fish
Recent · 2022 + 2025Lengths measured · 10 fish
2025Lengths measured · 8 fish
2022Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 16 fish
2019Lengths measured · 4 fish
2016Only 4 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Rush Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 68 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 68 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25" | 17" | 26" |
| 2022 | 18" | — | 28" |
| 2019 | 23" | 18" | 28" |
| 2016 | 25" | 15" | 27" |
| 2013 | 26" | 15" | 29" |
| 2010 | 27" | 16" | 29" |
| 2007 | 25" | 13" | 31" |
| 2004 | 28" | 16" | 24" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | 1,662,000 fry |
| 2023 | Walleye | 1,662,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,662,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 650,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 4,480 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
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.
Read the full DNR narrative
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.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Rush Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Rush Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Rush Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Rush Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Rush Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Round Lake · 273 ac · 3.1 mi
- Buchanan Lake · 964 ac · 3.3 mi
- Boedigheimer Lake · 169 ac · 3.9 mi
- Portage (main bay) Lake · 269 ac · 4.9 mi
- Donalds Lake · 166 ac · 5.1 mi
- West Leaf Lake · 700 ac · 5.5 mi
- Middle Leaf Lake · 404 ac · 6.7 mi
- Marion Lake · 1,624 ac · 7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Rush Lake?
Rush Lake reaches 68 ft at its deepest point; about 63% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Rush Lake?
Rush Lake covers 5,276 acres with about 13.6 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Rush Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Rush Lake average 5.8 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Rush Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, lake sturgeon, rock bass.
Is Rush Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Rush Lake have a public access?
Yes. Rush Lake has 2 public access sites, including Rush Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Rush Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2004.
When was Rush Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Rush Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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