Rush Lake
Rush Lake in Winnebago County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 3.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Maximum depth: 5 ft. Surface area: 2729 acres.
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Rush Lake. DNR survey details →
- Clarity
- 3.2 ft
- Max depth
- 5 ft
- Area
- 2,729 acres
- Type
- Eutrophic
- Public access
- Yes
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Rush Lake is a 2,729-acre productive, nutrient-rich eutrophic lake in Winnebago County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 5 feet. Water quality is graded B based on 1 sampling years through 2021. The lake supports 2 documented fish species including Panfish and Northern Pike. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings. Compared to the 1 other monitored lakes in Winnebago County, Rush Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water, last sampled 2021-05-27. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B (Good)
Very murky, less than 3.2 ft of visibility. Phosphorus level: 26 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 56.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 3.2 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 26 µg/L | Good |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 56 | Eutrophic |
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Where to stay near Rush Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Rush Lake in Winnebago County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Rush Lake
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Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Wisconsin’s top lakes →
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria)
There’s no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Rush Lake — clouds, ice, or an off-season gap in coverage. The most recent reading was high (242,103 cells/mL) on May 2, 2026.
Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check your state’s current advisory before swimming. EPA CyAN ↗
Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Rush Lake.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Rush Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
WI DNR Lake Profile
Authoritative data from the Wisconsin DNR LakePages. 14 stations on file (most recent sample 2021).
Fish Species (DNR-rated)
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 5 ft |
| Surface Area | 2,729 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Rush Lake - SouthPublic
- Rush Lake - EastPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Rush Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 2 lakes in Winnebago County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Rush Lake holds Grade B. One nearby lake has a higher nutrient-and-algae grade — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Winnebago County
Frequently asked questions about Rush Lake
Where is Rush Lake?
- Rush Lake is a lake in Winnebago County, Wisconsin. LakeQuality grades it B for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Rush Lake?
- Rush Lake in Winnebago County, Wisconsin has a water quality grade of B (Good). Water clarity: 3.2 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Maximum depth: 5 ft. Surface area: 2729 acres.
Is Rush Lake safe to swim in?
- Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels. Rush Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good). Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
How deep is Rush Lake?
- Rush Lake has a maximum depth of 5 feet. The lake covers 2729 acres.
What fish are in Rush Lake?
- Fish species found in Rush Lake include Panfish, Northern Pike. Rush Lake is located in Winnebago County, Wisconsin.
What did the DNR fisheries survey find at Rush Lake?
- Wisconsin DNR lists Panfish as common on Rush Lake. A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Rush Lake B from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Does Rush Lake have blue-green algae?
- There is no recent EPA CyAN cyanobacteria estimate for Rush Lake (clouds, ice, or an off-season gap). The most recent reading was high (242,103 cells/mL). Blue-green algae can appear and clear within days, so check Wisconsin's current advisory before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Rush Lake?
- Rush Lake has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Rush Lake - South, Rush Lake - East. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Rush Lake across LakeQuality
Depth, room, public access, and the state wake-sport rules
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Wisconsin
Fish species and best lakes in Winnebago County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Where to stay at Wisconsin's top lakes, each with its grade
Lakes in the Wolf River Watershed, ranked by water quality
Lakes in the Lower Fox-Wolf (Lake Winnebago Pool), ranked by water quality
High nutrients, frequent algae, reduced clarity
Wisconsin's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Wisconsin Lake Rankings
Other Grade B Lakes in Wisconsin
Eutrophic Lakes in Wisconsin
Compare Rush Lake With Nearby Lakes
Where this data comes from
8 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2020–2021. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WIDNR_WQX8 samples · 2020–2021
Analytical methods
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Fish and recreation data from Wisconsin DNR Lakes
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory