Northern Pike Stocked · 10 plants · last June 25, 2003 Best: dawn, day, dusk Rush Lake fishing
Rush Lake fishing: not stocked since June 25, 2003. It was stocked with Northern Pike. Also recorded: Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, Warmouth, Bowfin, and 3 more. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Bluegill, dawn, dusk, and night for Black Crappie, and dawn and dusk for Largemouth Bass and Common Carp.
- Last stocked
- June 25, 2003
- · Northern Pike
- Plants on record
- 10
- Since 1984
- Species stocked
- 1 (+9 also recorded)
- Surface acres
- 121.3
Fish at Rush Lake
Northern Pike Stocked · 10 plants · last June 25, 2003 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Black Crappie Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk, night Best: dawn, dusk, night
Black Crappie species guide
Bluegill Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Bluegill species guide
Largemouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Largemouth Bass species guide
Pumpkinseed Confirmed present Best: dusk Best: dusk
Pumpkinseed species guide Warmouth Confirmed present
Bowfin Confirmed present Best: day, night Best: day, night
Bowfin species guide
Brown Bullhead Confirmed present Best: dusk, night Best: dusk, night
Brown Bullhead species guide
Common Carp Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Common Carp species guide
Gizzard Shad Confirmed present How Rush Lake is stocked
About 80 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 12 lakes in Van Buren County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 1984
1,200
Fish stocked in 1985
2,000
Fish stocked in 1987
600
Fish stocked in 1989
600
Fish stocked in 1991
2,500
Fish stocked in 1993
1,200
Fish stocked in 1994
600
Fish stocked in 1995
600
Fish stocked in 2003
449
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 25, 2003 | Northern Pike | 129 | – | report |
| June 13, 2003 | Northern Pike | 320 | – | report |
| June 22, 1995 | Northern Pike | 600 | – | report |
| May 31, 1994 | Northern Pike | 600 | – | report |
| June 9, 1993 | Northern Pike | 1,200 | – | report |
| May 8, 1991 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | – | report |
| May 30, 1989 | Northern Pike | 600 | – | report |
| May 16, 1987 | Northern Pike | 600 | – | report |
| May 13, 1985 | Northern Pike | 2,000 | – | report |
| June 4, 1984 | Northern Pike | 1,200 | – | report |
Access and facts
- Nearest town
- Hartford
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock
The public access is a state-owned DNR boating access site on the south shore, administered by Van Buren State Park: a signed hard-surface ramp that is shallow for larger boats, 1 pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 7 trailers.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you go.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Rush Lake?
Fishing Rush Lake usually means Northern Pike. All 10 plants on record are Northern Pike. Northern Pike was last stocked June 25, 2003. Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed, plus 5 more are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Rush Lake stocked?
Not stocked since June 25, 2003. About 80 reported fish per acre, 9th most of 12 lakes in Van Buren County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 11 years between 1984 and 2003.
How do you get on Rush Lake?
The nearest town is Hartford. Facilities include restrooms and dock. The public access is a state-owned DNR boating access site on the south shore, administered by Van Buren State Park: a signed hard-surface ramp that is shallow for larger boats, 1 pier, a vault toilet and parking for about 7 trailers.
Which lakes near Rush Lake were stocked more recently?
Paw Paw Lake (4 mi), Shafer Lake (6.4 mi), North Scott Lake (12.3 mi), and Magician Lake (12.3 mi) were stocked more recently. North Scott Lake is also stocked with Northern Pike.