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SCHUY-RUSH LAKE


Lake Information

County: Schuyler

Acreage: 191

Average Depth: 12.37 feet

Shoreline Length: 12.3 miles

Recreational Amenities

Boat Fishing? Unrestricted HP, No Wake

Boat Ramps? Yes

Boat Rental? No

Skiing? No

Swimming? No

Picnicking? Yes

Camping? Yes


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There are no zebra mussels in this lake.


Fish Stocking

Year

Species

Size

Count

2023

Blue Catfish

Advanced Fingerling 4 - 7"

3000

2023

Muskellunge

Adult

201

2024

Muskellunge

Adult

205

2024

Walleye x Sauger (Saugeye)

Fingerling 1 - 3"

10974


Additional information for stocking on Schuy-Rush Lake


Fishing Outlook  ( Full PDF Report )

Click here for a list of all reports.

Species

Rank

Fish Status

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

Location: Schuy-Rush Lake is Located in Schuyler County in west-central Illinois just off US Route 67 between Rushville and Beardstown.

Description: Schuy-Rush Lake is an artificial impoundment located just off of U.S. Route 67 between Rushville and Beardstown. The lake was constructed as part of a flood control projects and is presently used for recreation. There are several houses situated around the lake and the city maintains a small park and camping area at the north end. The lake has a maximum depth of approximately 40 ft. and an average depth of approximately 13 ft. Siltation has greatly reduced its original storage capacity and the lake has lost an estimated 25 surface acres above the U.S. Route 67 highway bridge. The lake has one concrete boat ramp on the NW edge, has unrestricted boat fishing, offers camping and picnicking. No boat rental, skiing, or swimming is offered or allowed.

History and Status of the Sport Fishery: Other species collected during recent population surveys included Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Gizzard Shad, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, and Yellow Bullhead.

Additional Lake Information: FISHING REGULATIONS:
Two pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing.
Largemouth Bass – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
White, Black, or Hybrid Crappie – 25 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 10 Fish ≥ 10".
Channel Catfish – 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit.
Sauger/Walleye – Statewide Regulation - 14” Minimum Length Limit, 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Muskellunge – Statewide Regulation – 36” Minimum Length Limit, 1 Fish Daily Harvest Limit


Boating Permits can be purchased by contacting the Schuy-Rush Lake Campground Host.
Annual Boating Permit - $55
Daily Boating Permit - $10

Contact Information:
Schuy-Rush Lake Campground
217-322-6628
IDNR Fisheries Biologist, Blake Ruebush
217-622-7219

There were 12 tournaments held on this waterbody in 2023.

Species Total Fish Caught
Largemouth Bass 420

Top 5 Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1     5.50 lbs
2     5.31 lbs
3     5.31 lbs
4     5.25 lbs
5     5.06 lbs

Top 5 Total Tournament Weight of Largemouth Bass caught on this waterbody in 2023 tournaments:

1 134.51 lbs
2 82.09 lbs
3 80.31 lbs
4 78.38 lbs
5 68.88 lbs


Multiple day tournaments are listed with * end date.

Interested in participating in one of these public tournaments? Contact us with tournament ID for more information.

2024–2025 Approved or Pending Tournaments
Start Date ID Approval Ramp Location Bank/Boat
Hook/Bow
Max Boats Species Youth? Open to Public?
April-1327616PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
May-3127496PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-0827691PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
June-2227434PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
22Largemouth Bass
NoYes
July-1327639PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo
September-2027604PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
25Largemouth Bass
NoNo
October-0527656PendingSchuy-Rush Lake Ramp (Park Rd) boat
hook
15Largemouth Bass
NoNo