Hi:

We've booked a permit for Skipper/Portage (10th choice because all permits were gobbled up instantly - I was a full 36hrs late past open - but that's a topic in a different forum). Anywho...we're looking at going into Rush Lake from Skipper (49). I see only one ancient fish survey from DNR (1983) that listed only white sucker, burbot (eelpout), and northern pike. Seems strange that they didn't survey any walleye given that plenty of walleye were surveyed up/downstream (don't know which way water flows) in Skipper. Contours that are available look very walleyie...just wondering if anyone on this forum has caught walleye on this lake? Not interested in getting any intel on spots or anything, just want to know if they are in the lake. Thanks and I hope the FS does something about this reservation system. It isn't working...

Ray

I don't think there are walleye in Rush. No reference in any comments on campsites, posts or photo's. I don't think there's much, if any flow between Little Rush and Rush.

Thanks for the feedback Speckled! I did find this after I posted which confirmed my suspicions that they are indeed in the lake (see last post from 2012 -https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=509611&forumID=14&confID=1). They would get there during periods of really high water. Based on the success of this angler and looking at the structure on the lake (from what we know from whenever the data was collected - likely in the 30's but made pretty by C-MAP)

The guy who posted that mentioned he almost didn't continue on to Iron and Curtain Falls.

Iron and Curtain Falls are on the very opposite end of the BWCA from Rush Lake, so I'd question if he knew what lake he was talking about.

There is a Rush lake between Stuart and Iron on the "Ely" side. I believe that was referenced in the post. However, my daughter worked at Tuscarora Outfitters years ago and she knew of a return customer who went to Rush (by Skipper) every year to base camp cuz he said it was his favorite walleye lake.....whatever that's worth.

Yes, I think you are both right about that post from 2012. Wrong Rush Lake. I really think there should be walleye in that lake but this uncertainty combined with the poor choice of quality sites has me thinking plan B. Thanks.

I've been to Rush lake 3 times and have never caught a walleye. I've hammered smallies. I have caught eyes on skipper which ever way the wind blew the bait fish followed suit as did the eyes nothing spectacular burnt enough for a meal . The camp site off the point offers great views. The bay in the south end where there once was a site offered awesome smallies action. As your heading west behind the point camp there's a spot where the water shallows up and it's full of rip rap rocks I've crushed smallies there multiple times.

Thanks myceliaman, much appreciate the response and insights! Tight lines!

Stayed on Rush for 3 nights a couple of years ago (site 613 on the northeast point - GREAT site!). Only fish casually on our trips, so no expert fishers, but caught several nice smallies. Hit several in the bay directly across on the south side of the lake. Landed on the rock point in the burn out area in the south end of the bay and caught several from the shore. No pike or walleyes caught.