Rush Creek Fishing
Winona County and Fillmore County, designated trout stream.
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The Rush Creek in numbers
Minnesota anglers fish the Rush Creek, a creek of Winona County and Fillmore County. The DNR route line covers close to 20 miles. For minnows and gas, Rushford Village is about 6 miles away.
Roughly 20.4 miles carry the DNR trout stream designation. USGS runs 1 active gauge on it.
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| Regulation | Reach |
|---|---|
| Special catch-and-release season October 16 – December 31 on posted reach | Posted reach in Rushford. |
| Rule | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2026 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Closed to fishing | Oct. 16 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 9, 2027 |
One line and the trout and salmon stamp: those are the basics on the Rush Creek. As southeast water it follows the Houston-to-Goodhue season set.
DNR designated trout stream layer and special regulations layer; 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All trout streams.
Discharge on the Rush Creek
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Rush Creek Near Rushford, Mn | -0.98 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Reaching the Rush Creek by boat
Walk in to fish the Rush Creek; no access point is on file.
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Kittle route lines, USGS gauges.
Booklet rules for the Rush Creek
Every limit on the Rush Creek is in the table below.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Southern Zone) | 2 (minimum size 24") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 10, 2026 |
| Stream trout | 5 combined total (only 1 over 16") | April 11 – Sept. 14, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Closed to fishing | Oct. 16 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
| Stream trout | Catch-and-release only | Jan. 1 – April 9, 2027 |
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations. All Minnesota limits.
Beyond the shore of Rush Creek
More Minnesota lakes near Rush Creek
- Lake Goodview14 miles
- Lanesboro Mill Pond14 miles
- Lake Winona14 miles
Minnow buckets filled near Rush Creek
- Root River Rod Cobait and tackle shop, Lanesboro, 14 miles
- Westend Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Winona, 14 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Winona, 14 miles
- Joe's Custom Baitsbait and tackle shop, Rollingstone, 14 miles
- Hogline Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Winona, 15 miles
Towns within an easy drive of Rush Creek
- Rushford Village6 miles
- Rushford6 miles
- Lewiston7 miles
- Peterson7 miles
Streams neighboring the Rush Creek
- Stockton Valley Creek8 miles
- Garvin Brook11 miles
- Trout Run Creek11 miles
- Campbell Creek13 miles
Counties that Rush Creek reaches
Four Piscifun picks for the Rush Creek
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Fish to look for at Rush Creek
Photo: Eric Engbretson for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thefishingnomad youtube, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Reader questions on the Rush Creek
How do I drive to the Rush Creek?
Through Winona County and Fillmore County.
May I keep trout from the Rush Creek?
Designated for trout across about 20.4 miles.
Where can I check discharge on the Rush Creek?
There are 1 USGS gauge, listed above.
Which accesses reach the Rush Creek?
Records show walk-in fishing only.
Are there special DNR rules on the Rush Creek?
Special catch-and-release season October 16 – December 31 on posted reach
Is a stamp needed on the Rush Creek?
Designated trout water takes a Minnesota angling license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) and the $10 trout and salmon stamp validation for ages 18 to 64.
Who sells leeches near the Rush Creek?
Root River Rod Co, about 14 miles away.
Which Minnesota town makes a base for the Rush Creek?
Rushford Village, some 6 miles off by air.
Which species does the Rush Creek hold?
The DNR lists rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout.
Work the Rush Creek
Buy the license and stamp online before the trip.