SCHUY-RUSH LAKE STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
CHANNEL CATFISH: The channel catfish population in this 186 acre lake has been slow to show improvement in the past several years. During the late 1990's, minimal natural reproduction, supplemental stockings by the City of Rushville and the Department of Natural Resources provided an excellent channel catfish fishery. However; since then, lakeside housing development, steep bank clear-cutting and excessive erosion have decreased channel catfish numbers overall. During the 2005 fall fish survey, approximately 60% of all channel catfish collected ranged between 16 and 20 inches; however, a small sample was collected. Contaminant samples were taken in 2005 from the channel catfish in the lake and determined to be safe by IEPA standards. The largest individual collected in 2005 was almost 20 inches in length and weighed 6.3 pounds.
LARGEMOUTH BASS: SCHUY RUSH LAKE Initially this lake was built to accommodate 225 acres of water and was designed to catch silt from the surrounding watershed. Today, the lake is approximately 185 acres. Steep hillsides leading to the water’ s edge as well as lakeshore development and forest removal is increasing sedimentation. This has subsequently led to a decrease in visibility and may be impacting the spawning activity. The largemouth bass population is largely comprised of individuals greater than 13 inches (55%). Nearly one out of every three largemouth bass (30%) is 16 inches or greater.
