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Rush Lake

Highland, Wisconsin — Douglas County.

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16Surface acres
2Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 111727125).

Location & fast facts

Where Rush Lake is in Wisconsin

The red circle marks Rush Lake.

Fast facts

About Rush Lake

  • County: Douglas
  • Town: Highland
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 298 mi from Milwaukee and 141 mi from Wausau, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.

Fishing in Wisconsin

Official Wisconsin DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Paddling. 2 public access sites, no trailer ramp listed
  • Fishing. Largemouth Bass and Panfish
  • Camping. 11 campgrounds within 15 mi (list)

Watch for

  • Cold water. Water stays cold well into late spring and turns cold again in fall. Wear a life jacket when paddling in the shoulder seasons.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Official lake data (Wisconsin DNR)

9 ftMaximum depth
22Acres (state figure)

Fish species listed by the Wisconsin DNR (with DNR abundance rating): Panfish (abundant), Largemouth Bass (present).

Average depth not published.

DNR lake class: Simple - Cool - Dark

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Lake Page for Rush Lake (WBIC 2772800); maximum depth and acreage from the DNR lake classification data. Acreage here can differ slightly from our mapped outline.

Lake map

Rush Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Rush Lake Canoe Launch (Cartop / walk-in)1Rush Lake Canoe Launch (Cartop / walk-in)20.1 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Cartop / walk-in
  1. 1Rush Lake Canoe Launch
    Cartop / walk-in · Highland
  2. 2Rush Lake Canoe Launch
    Cartop / walk-in · Highland

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 111727125), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Wisconsin DNR boat access sites. Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Rush Lake

We found 11 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Rush Lake, 1 of them within 5 miles. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

5 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Wisconsin

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (46.4890, -91.5554). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Rush Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Rush Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    2 public access sites listed.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Rush Lake Canoe LaunchHighlandBrule River State ForestCarry-in (hand launch)——Boating46.4876, -91.5545
    Rush Lake Canoe LaunchHighlandBrule River State ForestCarry-in (hand launch)——Boating46.4876, -91.5545

    Wisconsin DNR boat access sites

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Rush Lake

    How big is Rush Lake?

    Rush Lake covers about 16 acres in Highland, Wisconsin (Douglas County).

    How deep is Rush Lake?

    The maximum recorded depth is 9 feet, according to the Wisconsin DNR Lake Pages.

    What fish are in Rush Lake?

    Wisconsin DNR Lake Pages lists Largemouth Bass and Panfish.

    Is there a public boat launch on Rush Lake?

    No trailer ramp is listed, but there are 2 public access sites for car-top boats or shore access.

    Are there campgrounds near Rush Lake?

    Yes. We list 11 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 1 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Rush Lake?

    Rush Lake touches Highland in Douglas County, Wisconsin.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Rush Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Wisconsin lakes & ponds · All waters in Highland