Minnesota · Chisago County
West Rush Lake Fishing guide
West Rush Lake covers 1,594 acres in Chisago County, Minnesota, reaching 42 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 2.8 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and muskellunge in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers1.3per gill net18"Typical26"Biggest
Lengths measured · 37 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 23 fish
2025Lengths measured · 14 fish
2021Lengths measured · 7 fish
2016Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 174 fish
2012Largemouth bassFair numbers30.5per hr (electrofishing)12"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 111 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 63 fish
2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2016Lengths measured · 74 fish
2012Northern pikeJust a few1.6per gill net28"Typical37"Biggest
Lengths measured · 64 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 18 fish
2025Lengths measured · 46 fish
2021Lengths measured · 19 fish
2016Lengths measured · 338 fish
2012Present and managed by the DNR. Standard survey gear does not count this species reliably.
BluegillJust a few10.9per trap net5"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 338 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 160 fish
2025Lengths measured · 178 fish
2021Lengths measured · 373 fish
2016Lengths measured · 213 fish
2012CrappieJust a few4.7per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 792 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 468 fish
2025Lengths measured · 324 fish
2021Lengths measured · 204 fish
2016Lengths measured · 644 fish
2012Yellow perchOne of the best around72.3per gill net7"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 1747 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2025Lengths measured · 822 fish
2025Lengths measured · 925 fish
2021Lengths measured · 916 fish
2016Lengths measured · 1090 fish
2012Rates 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 West Rush Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. In 2.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 42 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. In 2.8 ft of visibility, they sit shallower than you think.
- 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 42 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 | 21" | 20" | 34" |
| 2021 | 26" | 17" | 37" |
| 2016 | 25" | 16" | 33" |
| 2012 | 28" | 20" | 38" |
| 2007 | 28" | 18" | 35" |
| 2002 | 27" | 19" | 35" |
| 1997 | 26" | 20" | 31" |
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 · Hardbaits
Hollow-Body Frog
3–3.5" hollow-body frog
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic 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 | Muskellunge | 94 yearlings |
| 2025 | Walleye | 18,938 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 25,449 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 39,190 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 493 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Walleye | 36,993 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Muskellunge | 431 fingerlings |
| 2017 | Walleye | 41,477 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2017 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
A targeted survey of the nearshore fish community was conducted by Hinckley fisheries staff on West Rush Lake on August 22, 2025. Nearshore sampling captured 21 species of fish: Banded Kilifish, Black Crappie, Blacknose Shiner, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Central Mudminnow, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, Iowa Darter, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Spottail Shiner, Tadpole Madtom, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
The nearshore survey data is combined with standard gill and trap netting survey data from previous West Rush Lake surveys to calculate a Fish IBI (FIBI) score and helps assess aquatic life in West Rush Lake. The FIBI score for West Rush Lake based on this survey is below the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes.
This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with the MN Pollution Control Agency. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
West Rush Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on West 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 (W) (trailer launch)
- West Rush Lake Fishing Pier (fishing pier)
DNR bathymetry
West Rush Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- East Rush Lake · 1,494 ac · 1.8 mi
- Goose Lake · 732 ac · 4.6 mi
- Neander Lake · 57 ac · 4.7 mi
- Krans Lake · 35 ac · 5.1 mi
- Mandall Lake · 47 ac · 6 mi
- Rabour Lake · 53 ac · 6.4 mi
- Horseshoe Lake · 224 ac · 6.9 mi
- Seventeen Lake · 32 ac · 7.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is West Rush Lake?
West Rush Lake reaches 42 ft at its deepest point; about 54% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is West Rush Lake?
West Rush Lake covers 1,594 acres with about 20.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in West Rush Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on West Rush Lake average 2.8 ft of visibility, on the stained end for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in West Rush Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is West Rush Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
Does West Rush Lake have a public access?
Yes. West Rush Lake has 2 public access sites, including Rush Lake (W) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in West Rush Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 26"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was West Rush Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed West Rush Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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