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Rush Lake (35)

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 27, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Rush Lake (35)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow staging areas, becoming more active as they prepare for spawning Fish are following warmer water temperatures, congregating near emerging vegetation and protected areas like docks	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation near deeper winter holding areas Docks and other man-made structures that warm quickly and provide cover Secondary points leading into spawning bays with 8-12 foot transitions	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation Bladed Jigs around dock areas and vegetation edges Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along transition areas	Minnows gathering in warming shallows Small panfish in pre-spawn patterns	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Pre-spawn crappies are transitioning from deeper winter areas to spawning locations, staging in 6-12 foot depths near emerging vegetation and protected bays Fish become increasingly active during warming trends, making feeding movements during early morning and evening periods Schools are starting to break up from tight winter groups into smaller pods as they stage near spawning areas	Protected bays with emerging vegetation in 6-12 foot depths Dock areas in 3-6 foot depths, especially those near deeper water access Transition areas between winter and spawning locations, particularly around cabbage bed edges	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around emerging vegetation Bobbers with live bait or small jigs, particularly effective in the stained water conditions Crappie Dock Shooting for fish staging near dock structures	Small minnows gathering in warming shallows Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation Young-of-year panfish in protected areas	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	55-65	Bluegill are beginning to stage near potential spawning areas, particularly around docks and shallow vegetation, but haven't moved fully into spawning mode Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for the upcoming spawn, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day	Protected areas between docks in 6-8 feet of water Emerging weed edges in 8-10 feet of water Shallow bays with early vegetation growth	Bobbers suspended 4-6 feet with small live bait or soft plastics Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through staging areas	Small aquatic insects and larvae Emerging vegetation Small crustaceans	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Pre-spawn to spawning behavior, with fish moving from winter areas to shallow spawning flats and protected areas near docks Males preparing and guarding nests in 2-6 foot depths, while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning areas Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by more defensive territorial behavior during spawn	Protected shallow bays and coves near docks with firm bottom Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow vegetation edges in 4-8 foot range adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bed areas Soft Jerkbaits for staging fish near spawning areas Shakey Heads for methodically working transition areas	Minnows in shallow areas Small panfish near vegetation edges Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappies are moving into shallow protected areas (3-6 feet) near docks and in bays for spawning activity Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with males guarding nests and females staging slightly deeper	Protected bays with docks in 3-6 foot depths Areas with cabbage and reed vegetation in 4-8 feet Staging areas near spawning locations in 8-10 feet	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Small minnows Aquatic insects emerging in spring	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	62-72	Bluegill are actively spawning, making and guarding beds near docks and in protected shallow areas Males are particularly aggressive while guarding nests, making them more likely to strike at intrusive baits	Shallow flats adjacent to docks where spawning colonies are establishing Protected coves with firm bottom composition for bedding Dock edges providing overhead cover for staging fish	Slip bobbers with small jigs suspended over beds Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to dock posts Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through bedding areas	Small insects and larvae Tiny crustaceans Small invertebrates	Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-72	Post-spawn bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish staging along deep weed edges and points, making frequent movements between shallow and deeper water Aggressive feeding periods during early morning and evening, with more subtle feeding during midday	Deep weed edges where grass tops are at 10-12 feet Secondary points near spawning bays with mixed vegetation Protected areas between docks where bass recently spawned	Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically along weed edges Texas Rigs (Worming) through vegetation transitions Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during active feeding periods	Minnows congregating along vegetation edges Young of the year panfish emerging in shallow areas Developing fry from recent spawning activity	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	62-72	Crappies are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, moving to slightly deeper water near remaining green vegetation Fish are actively feeding during low-light periods, especially early morning and evening, recovering energy after spawn	Outer edges of vegetation in 8-12 foot depths adjacent to spawning areas Protected areas between docks where new vegetation is emerging Secondary points with cabbage weed growth in 6-9 foot depths	Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation edges Bobbers with finesse jigs suspended at key depths near structure Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges during low light periods	Small minnows gathering around new vegetation growth Emerging insect larvae near vegetation Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear in shallows	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Post-spawn bluegill are transitioning from spawning areas to summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish are spreading out along weed edges and dock areas, beginning to establish summer feeding territories	Outer edges of dock areas in 8-12 feet of water Emerging weed edges, especially where cabbage and reeds are present Secondary points with a mix of vegetation and hard bottom	Bobbers with suspended presentations near weed edges Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around dock posts and edges Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms	Small insects and larvae emerging in the warming waters Small crustaceans in the vegetation Tiny minnows and fry gathering around structure	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	68-74	Actively feeding on baitfish along deep weed edges, utilizing vegetation as ambush points with aggressive pursuit of prey as evidenced by Livescope observations Following typical summer pattern of moving between deep weed edges (18-20ft) and grass tops (10-12ft) throughout the day	Deep weed edges at 18-20 feet with grass tops at 10-12 feet Submerged vegetation in reeds, particularly in 10-13 foot range Grass edge transitions where vegetation meets open water	Drop Shot worked slowly through reeds and vegetation edges Finesse Jigs pulled through grass allowing occasional falls at edges Structure Jigs worked along deep weed edges	Minnows concentrated over grass edges Baitfish schools relating to vegetation edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	65-74	Crappies are suspending near submerged vegetation in moderate depths, actively feeding on minnows during early morning and evening periods Fish are showing preference for slower presentations in the stained water conditions, requiring methodical approaches	Submerged vegetation edges in 9-11 foot depths Deeper weed flats in 18-20 foot range during midday heat Shaded areas near docks during bright conditions	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with lightweight jigs Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along weed edges Hover/Mid-Strolling with small soft plastics	Minnows Small invertebrates in vegetation	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	68-75	Actively feeding in and around weed edges and dock areas, particularly during early morning and evening hours Concentrating in areas where cabbage and reed beds provide cover, moving between shallow and moderate depths based on light conditions	Weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, particularly where cabbage tops out Dock areas with adjacent vegetation Clear water pockets near reed beds	Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Live Bait Rigs	Aquatic insects and larvae Small minnows Zooplankton	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Assorted Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Rush Lake (35)

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Bass are engaging in aggressive feeding patterns around vegetation edges, particularly reed beds with mixed cabbage, preparing for winter Fish are staging in vegetation-to-open-water transition areas, utilizing ambush points to target prey	Reed beds with mixed cabbage and clearer water pockets Deeper weed edges where vegetation transitions to open water Protected coves with remaining vegetation	Frogs/Toads worked over vegetation mats and pockets Spinnerbaits along weed edges during cloudy conditions Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) on the vegetation edges	Baitfish schools congregating near vegetation edges Frogs and amphibians utilizing vegetation mats	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	52-65	Crappies are transitioning to deeper water, schooling more tightly around key structure as water temperatures cool Feeding activity increases during this season as fish bulk up for winter, with most active periods during low-light conditions	Deep weed edges in 9-11 foot range where vegetation is still healthy Deeper dock areas adjacent to vegetation Protected coves with remaining vegetation and baitfish schools	Crappie Spider Rigging Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling	Small minnows congregating in schools Young-of-year panfish Small invertebrates around remaining vegetation	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	52-65	Transitioning to deeper water as temperature drops, concentrating near deep weed edges in 9-12 foot range Schooling behavior increases, with fish gathering in larger groups near structure Feeding becomes more aggressive as fish prepare for winter, with peak activity during warmer afternoon periods	Deep weed edges where cabbage meets 18-20 foot basins Deeper dock areas adjacent to deeper water Points and breaks near deep water access	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Ice Fishing Jigs	Small invertebrates near weed edges Smaller minnows and young-of-year baitfish Zooplankton in deeper water columns	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Crappie	45-52	Crappies are suspending near deep vegetation edges and creek channels, typically schooling tightly in the late fall/early winter transition period Fish are exhibiting more neutral to negative feeding patterns, requiring slower presentations and extended holding times in productive areas	Deep weed edges in 9-11 foot ranges, particularly near channel bends or depth changes Suspended schools over deeper basins adjacent to vegetation Protected bays with remaining vegetation, especially on the wind-protected east end	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Hover/Mid-Strolling Live Bait Rigs	Small minnows suspending in schools Young-of-year panfish	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	34-45	Suspended near deep weed edges in 9-11 foot depths, typically schooling with crappies in areas with remaining green vegetation More active during stable weather patterns, feeding primarily during early morning and late afternoon periods	Deep weed edges in 9-11 feet adjacent to deeper basins Transition areas between cabbage beds and open water Areas with remaining green vegetation that provide both cover and invertebrate forage	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Drop Shot Live Bait Rigs	Small aquatic invertebrates in remaining vegetation Tiny minnows and baitfish concentrated near weed edges	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Crappie	33-35	Crappies are schooling in predictable winter locations, holding at mid-depth ranges (9-11 feet) near submerged vegetation Fish are exhibiting typical winter feeding patterns with most active periods during low-light conditions	East end drop-offs with submerged vegetation in 9-11 feet Shallow drop-offs near weed edges for predator action Deep basin edges adjacent to weedy flats	Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly in the strike zone Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set along weed edges Ice Fishing Spoons for aggressive triggering of strikes	Small minnows suspended near vegetation Aquatic insects in and around weed beds	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	34-39	Bluegill are concentrating near deep weed edges in 9-11 feet, sharing habitat with crappies during ice season Fish are more active during early morning and late afternoon, with feeding periods focused on remaining green vegetation and invertebrates	Deep weed edges in 9-11 feet of water, especially near remaining cabbage beds Transitions between weedy areas and harder bottom in 8-12 feet Protected bays with remaining green vegetation	Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly with slight twitches Ice Fishing Spoons with small, subtle movements Live Bait Rigs with waxworms or euro larvae	Small invertebrates and insect larvae Tiny crustaceans near remaining vegetation Small zooplankton in the water column	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Key Seasonal Structures in Rush Lake (35)

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation near deeper winter holding areas	Docks and other man-made structures that warm quickly and provide cover
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Protected bays with emerging vegetation in 6-12 foot depths	Dock areas in 3-6 foot depths, especially those near deeper water access
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected areas between docks in 6-8 feet of water	Emerging weed edges in 8-10 feet of water
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow bays and coves near docks with firm bottom	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected bays with docks in 3-6 foot depths	Areas with cabbage and reed vegetation in 4-8 feet
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Shallow flats adjacent to docks where spawning colonies are establishing	Protected coves with firm bottom composition for bedding
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges where grass tops are at 10-12 feet	Secondary points near spawning bays with mixed vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Outer edges of vegetation in 8-12 foot depths adjacent to spawning areas	Protected areas between docks where new vegetation is emerging
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Outer edges of dock areas in 8-12 feet of water	Emerging weed edges, especially where cabbage and reeds are present
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges at 18-20 feet with grass tops at 10-12 feet	Submerged vegetation in reeds, particularly in 10-13 foot range
Summer	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 9-11 foot depths	Deeper weed flats in 18-20 foot range during midday heat
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, particularly where cabbage tops out	Dock areas with adjacent vegetation
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Reed beds with mixed cabbage and clearer water pockets	Deeper weed edges where vegetation transitions to open water
Fall	Crappie	Deep weed edges in 9-11 foot range where vegetation is still healthy	Deeper dock areas adjacent to vegetation
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges where cabbage meets 18-20 foot basins	Deeper dock areas adjacent to deeper water
Winter	Crappie	Deep weed edges in 9-11 foot ranges, particularly near channel bends or depth changes	Suspended schools over deeper basins adjacent to vegetation
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges in 9-11 feet adjacent to deeper basins	Transition areas between cabbage beds and open water
Ice	Crappie	East end drop-offs with submerged vegetation in 9-11 feet	Shallow drop-offs near weed edges for predator action
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep weed edges in 9-11 feet of water, especially near remaining cabbage beds	Transitions between weedy areas and harder bottom in 8-12 feet

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows gathering in warming shallows	Small panfish in pre-spawn patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows gathering in warming shallows	Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic insects and larvae	Emerging vegetation
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows in shallow areas	Small panfish near vegetation edges
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows	Aquatic insects emerging in spring
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae	Tiny crustaceans
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Minnows congregating along vegetation edges	Young of the year panfish emerging in shallow areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Small minnows gathering around new vegetation growth	Emerging insect larvae near vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae emerging in the warming waters	Small crustaceans in the vegetation
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Minnows concentrated over grass edges	Baitfish schools relating to vegetation edges
Summer	Crappie	Minnows	Small invertebrates in vegetation
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Aquatic insects and larvae	Small minnows
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Baitfish schools congregating near vegetation edges	Frogs and amphibians utilizing vegetation mats
Fall	Crappie	Small minnows congregating in schools	Young-of-year panfish
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Small invertebrates near weed edges	Smaller minnows and young-of-year baitfish
Winter	Crappie	Small minnows suspending in schools	Young-of-year panfish
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small aquatic invertebrates in remaining vegetation	Tiny minnows and baitfish concentrated near weed edges
Ice	Crappie	Small minnows suspended near vegetation	Aquatic insects in and around weed beds
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Small invertebrates and insect larvae	Tiny crustaceans near remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Rush Lake (35)

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Pink Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Summer	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Pink Colors Dark Neutrals Vibrant Assorted Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors
Fall	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Purple Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Winter	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Crappie	Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors Pink Colors
Ice	Panfish / Bluegill	Pink Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

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