Rush Lake is located in central Otter Tail County two miles north of Ottertail, MN. Rush Lake is a 5,337-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake that 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 2007 lake survey was 4.8 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 3.5 to 7.0 feet. A majority of the shoreline on Rush Lake has been developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the development. The 1998 lake survey referenced 284 homes/cottages and 14 resorts. DNR owned 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 actually 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. The lake has a reputation as one of the best all-around fishing lakes in Otter Tail County. Northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill are the dominant 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 is a primary management species in Rush Lake. Walleye abundance has historically been high. Walleye ranged in length from 8.3 to 25.3 inches with an average length and weight of 13.0 inches and 0.9 pound. The 2005 and 2006 year classes appear to be strong and should provide consistently good walleye angling for several years. Age data from recent lake surveys indicate that walleye natural reproduction is substantial enough to consistently maintain the walleye population at or above DNR management goals. Walleye attain an average length of 14.1 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 14.6 to 31.2 inches with an average length and weight of 19.5 inches and 1.6 pounds. Pike exhibit moderate growth with an average length of 21.5 inches at four years of age. The bluegill test-net catch rate has historically remained stable. Size structure has improved over the recent series of surveys. Sixty percent of the bluegill sample was 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegill exhibit good growth rates with an average length of 6.6 inches at five years of age. Summer test-net indices are not reliable indicators of largemouth bass or black crappie abundance and size structure; however, angler reports on these species have been positive. The DNR does not stock any species of fish in Rush Lake. The fish species present are able to sustain their levels at or above DNR management goals. This is an indication of the quality of fish habitat that is present. To maintain the excellent angling and water quality that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Anglers can also maintain the quality of fishing in Rush Lake 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.