Schuy-Rush Lake

Sauger

Developing

Walleye were stocked into Schuy-Rush Lake from 1987-2001. Stocking was discontinued in 2001 due to little evidence of the population establishing, suspected spillway escapement and high turbidity levels. A group of Sauger fry were stocked in 2014. Two Sauger were collected during the fall 2020 electrofishing survey. Those fish measured and 16.5” and 17.7”.

Bluegill

Fair

The Bluegill population at Schuy-Rush Lake is characterized by a high density of fish measuring 4-6” in less than desirable body condition. The largest Bluegill collected in 2020 measured 6.7”. Bluegill populations do not tend to thrive in the presence of Gizzard Shad. Gizzard Shad and Bluegill compete for the same food source, therefore, show poor growth rates and reduced maximum size. Anglers can catch Bluegill on their spawning beds in the spring or near shoreline cover year-round with crickets or night crawlers.

Largemouth Bass

Very Good

The Largemouth Bass population is doing well at Schuy-Rush Lake. Catch rates have not met or exceeded the management goal of 60 fish/hour of electrofishing since 2017, however the quality of fish has remained strong. The 2020 survey yielded 37 Largemouth Bass ranging from 3.9-20.0” and weighing up to 4.7lbs. 30% of the catchable population exceeded 18”. The 2019 survey showed 52% of the catchable population measuring over 15” and 19% measuring over 18”. Largemouth Bass at Schuy-Rush have maintained good average body condition (2020 Wr=96, 2019 Wr = 101). Anglers can catch Largemouth Bass off points, deadfalls, and stickups in the warmer months of the year with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish and worms. The biggest Largemouth Bass ever collected while electrofishing at Schuy-Rush Lake weighed 6.7 lbs and measured 22” long.

Channel Catfish

Excellent

The Schuy-Rush Channel Catfish population is composed of fish measuring up to 9 lbs. Channel Catfish can reproduce and recruit into the catchable population naturally in Schuy-Rush Lake because of its high level of turbidity. The 2020 survey yielded 1 fish measuring 26.4” and weighing 8.0lbs. In 2019, two Channel Catfish were collected during the fall electrofishing survey. Anglers can catch Channel Catfish near deadfalls and stickups in the warmer months throughout the lake using bottom fishing techniques with cut bait, shrimp, chicken livers or night crawlers.

Muskellunge

Average

Annual Muskellunge stocking began at Schuy-Rush in 2006, except for a few low production years. The fall 2020 electrofishing survey yielded 2 Muskellunge measuring 23.2” and 24.3”. The 2018 trap net and electrofishing surveys resulted in 11 Muskellunge collected measuring 27 - 41” weighing up to 22 lbs. Anglers can catch muskie in the spring and fall around beds of aquatic vegetation using minnows, spinners, spoons, jigs, jerk and crank baits.

White Crappie

Good

The White Crappie population continues to be doing great as far as quantity but is lacking in quality. Fish collected in 2020 ranged from 6.8-12.9”. 31% of the catchable White Crappie population exceeded 10”. The average body condition of fish collected improved slightly from 2018 to 2019 (2018 Wr=84, 2019 Wr=90) but dipped down (Wr=83) in 2020. A new crappie regulation was implemented on April 1, 2017 that will help reduce crowding at 7-9”, reduce the bottle neck effect, and increase growth rates, which should help produce larger, fatter crappie of harvestable size. The new regulation is 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish ‰¥ 10". Anglers can catch White Crappie around submerged structures throughout the lake in the spring and fall with spinners, jigs and minnows.