Rush Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Rush Lake Wildlife Management Area is 676 acres of state land managed by the Minnesota DNR in Chisago County, near Rush City, inside Deer Permit Area 225. The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for it. Hunters registered 5,598 deer in DPA 225 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's wildlife management area data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Harvest Reports, 2021 to 2025.
State wildlife management areasState forest and other DNR landCounty, city and regional landRush Lake WMACounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 676 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Chisago County |
| Deer Permit Area | DPA 225 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game |
| Nearest town (DNR) | Rush City |
| DNR area office | Cambridge |
| Nearest towns | Rush City (2 mi), Harris (5 mi) and Stanchfield (7 mi) |
What is Rush Lake WMA like?
This WMA consists of a diverse mix of lowland forest, lowland brush and several types of wetland communities all surrounding the extension part of East Rush Lake and the Rush River.
This unit is a roadless area with parking lots strategically placed on the north and south boundaries along county roads. There are good opportunities to view wildlife from roads and on the lake.
In the DNR's words, from its wildlife management area data.
What can you hunt on Rush Lake WMA?
The DNR's WMA data lists deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and other forest upland birds, bear and small game for Rush Lake WMA. Each follows the statewide season and, for deer, the bag limit of the permit area.
What are the rules on Rush Lake WMA?
Open to hunting and trapping in the regular seasons under the DNR's statewide WMA rules.
How many deer are taken around Rush Lake WMA?
Rush Lake WMA lies in Deer Permit Area 225. The DNR registered 5,598 deer in DPA 225 in 2025, against 5,038 in 2024.
| DPA | Rush Lake WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPA 225 | 676 | 5,598 | 5,038 | 4,326 |
Harvest for the whole deer permit area, not the WMA alone: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
How do you get to Rush Lake WMA?
From Rush City, at the intersection of MN Trunk Highway 361 (CSAH 30) and CSAH 7 go west approximately 3.4 miles to the WMA Parking Lot on the North (right) side of the road.
Nearest towns: Rush City (2 miles), Harris (5 miles), Stanchfield (7 miles) and Braham (7 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-35 and US 61.
What other public land is near Rush Lake WMA?
DNR WMAs within 10 miles:
- Wild Rose WMA: 199 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Nessel WMA: 72 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Kraft WMA: 94 acres, 7.9 miles away
- Conservation Officer Eugene H. Wynn Jr. Memorial WMA: 694 acres, 8.1 miles away
- Rice Creek WMA: 926 acres, 8.2 miles away
- Rock Marsh WMA: 1,159 acres, 9.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Rush Lake WMA
Counting Rush Lake WMA itself, 827 of the 28,852 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (2.9%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife management areas | 696 |
| State forest and other DNR land | 118 |
| County, city and regional land | 13 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Rush Lake WMA?
In Chisago County, near Rush City. The DNR's directions: From Rush City, at the intersection of MN Trunk Highway 361 (CSAH 30) and CSAH 7 go west approximately 3.4 miles to the WMA Parking Lot on the North (right) side of the road.
Which deer permit area is Rush Lake WMA in?
Deer Permit Area 225. Its bag limit and firearms dates apply.
How much public land is around Rush Lake WMA?
827 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Rush Lake WMA included, by PAD-US 4.1. 6 other WMAs are within 10 miles, the closest Wild Rose WMA (3.2 miles).
Get a Minnesota hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Minnesota included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Rush Lake WMA; Minnesota DNR Wildlife Management Area boundaries, publicly accessible.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Minnesota DNR Deer Harvest Reports (2021 to 2025, 2025 report).
FilledTag is not part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.