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Rush Run Wildlife Area - Home page

Location - 38 miles from Dayton

Rush Run Wildlife Area is located 14 miles northwest of Middletown near the village of Somerville. Approximately half the area is in woods, mostly on the steep hillsides of Rush Run Creek Valley. Rush Run Creek is an intermittent stream, named for its rapid water flow. In a four-mile stretch it descends 300 feet. A 54-acre lake is located on the headwaters of this stream.

• Map & driving directions

Fish & Wildlife

The Rush Run Wildlife Area is popular for rabbit, bobwhite quail, and pheasant hunting. Brushy areas and fencerows along open fields are usually the best areas to hunt. Deer and fox squirrels are abundant in the more open woods and fencerows and along streams. Raccoons and woodchucks are widely distributed and hunting is usually good. Waterfowl hunting is usually best in the wooded coves of the lake.

The 54-acre lake was stocked in 1970 with largemouth bass, bluegills, crappies, and channel catfish. Fishing is likely to be productive around the numerous logs and brushy areas in the bays on the upper end of the lake. The best fishing during the early morning and late evening is usually in the shallower areas of the lake. During the day, fishing is best in the deeper water areas. Only electric motors are permitted.

Public Facilities

Facilities include parking lots, access roads, a designated shotgun-only target area, latrines, a boat ramp, year-round dog training area, and several nature trails.

More Information

Further information may be obtained from the Area Manager, Rush Run Wildlife Area, 1989 Northern Road, Somerville, Ohio 45064; telephone (513) 726-6795 or from Wildlife District Five Office, 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, Ohio 45385; telephone (937) 372-9261.