Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR
Winnebago County. T17N-R14E, Sections 25, 34, 35. T17N-R15E, Section 30. 441 acres.
Rush Lake State Natural Area features one of the state's most important wetland communities due to its rich wildlife populations. Most significant is the migratory and breeding bird populations that frequent this site each year. The lake provides habitat for many bird species including large populations of two rare species. Other birds include black crowned night heron, least bittern, American bittern, American black duck, yellow-headed blackbird, and black tern. The adjacent 3100-acre Rush Lake is a shallow, marshy seepage lake surrounded by cat-tails, sedge meadow, wet prairie, and shrub-carr with clear, hard water that is highly productive. Lake vegetation consists of numerous aquatic species with abundant rushes, water lilies, pondweeds, and Chara present. Tussock and cespitose sedges with blue-joint grass, joe-pye weed, marsh fern, turtlehead, marsh pea, swamp lousewort, and northern bog aster dominate the sedge meadow. Other communities include oak openings, and southern dry-mesic forest on the surrounding uplands. Rush Lake is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1993.
From the intersection of Highways 44 and E in Ripon, go north on E 3.5 miles to a dirt road on the east side of the road leading to a parking area. Or go north on E 2 miles, then east on Cork Street Road 2.25 miles, then north on Island Road 1.5 miles, then west on Radtke Road to an immediate parking area on the north side.
Rush Lake is owned by:
The DNR's state natural areas program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the landowner for more specific details.
The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.
To create your own custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's mapping application.
Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the "Access" tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.
The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.
Entrance fees: Excepting Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fee. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
In general, the activities listed below are allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted under the "Access" tab above and posted with signs on site.
Although a handful of sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.
For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR]