Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Rush Island

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 8 to 32 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 10 to 32 ft, and winter fish hold in 10 to 32 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 27 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Rush Island

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 32 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 32 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

Yellow Perch fishing at Rush Island

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 32 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Rush Island

Spring northern pike on Rush Island hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Rush Island

Spring largemouth bass on Rush Island hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 32 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait gets it done.

Rock Bass fishing at Rush Island

Spring rock bass on Rush Island hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 5 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 12 to 30 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for summer rock bass. Plan around the evening in the warm months. A ned rig (small) or a marabou jig covers the summer program.

How deep is Rush Island?

Rush Island is about 32 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Rush Island?

Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead on Rush Island.

Where is the best fishing spot on Rush Island?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 27 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Rush Island?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.