Lake Washington Fishing
Le Sueur County, 1,516 acres, 51 feet deep.
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The short version on Lake Washington
Lake Washington is a lake of 1,516 acres in Le Sueur County. Depth bottoms out near 51 feet, with an average of 11.1 feet. 1,131 acres, about 75% of the total, are less than 15 feet deep. A drive of about 4 miles reaches Madison Lake, the nearest city. It falls under the Waterville area fisheries office.
Recent DNR surveys found walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. There are 2 public water accesses around the lake. The most recent standard survey dates to August 4, 2025. The walleye catch of 7.33 per gill net was above the DNR normal range of 1.2-6.3. Median ice-out since 1950 is April 4, from 78 records.
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From the standard survey completed August 4, 2025: catch, catch per set and average weight against the DNR normal ranges.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 88 | 7.33 | 1.2-6.3 | 1.2 | 1.2-2.7 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 65 | 5.91 | 0.3-1.2 | 2.31 | 0.8-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 15 | 1.25 | 1.5-7.3 | 3.01 | 2.0-3.5 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 11 | 1 | 3.8 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 47 | 3.92 | 2.0-27.9 | 0.18 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.18 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.29 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 163 | 13.58 | 2.5-16.5 | 0.39 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 131 | 11.91 | 1.8-21.2 | 0.44 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.36 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 62 | 5.64 | 7.5-62.5 | 0.46 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.08 | 0.3-0.8 | 2.72 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.64 | 0.2-0.7 | 2.47 | 0.2-0.9 |
Gill net catch on Lake Washington by species
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
Survey narrative for Lake Washington
“Lake Washington is a 1,519-acre lake located in Le Sueur County about 7 miles northeast of Mankato.”
“Separate basins form Lake Washington into 2 main bays: an east bay and a west bay.”
“The east bay is deeper, with a maximum depth of 51 feet.”
“Two DNR-operated public accesses are available for use; one on the north end of the east bay and one on the southwest corner of the west bay.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Lake Washington (report). Checked October 2026.
Public water accesses on Lake Washington
- Washington Lake (W) Access4 ramps, 38 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Washington Lake (N) Access2 ramps, 42 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Public accesses close to Lake Washington
- George Lake Access near Madison LakeGeorge, 2 miles south
- Wita Lake AccessWita, 2 miles southwest
- Jefferson Lake (SW) AccessWest Jefferson, 2 miles northeast
- Henry Lake AccessHenry, 3 miles northeast
- Jefferson Lake (W) AccessWest Jefferson, 3 miles northeast
- Eagle Lake Access near Eagle LakeEagle, 3 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Structure of Lake Washington
5 clarity readings on Lake Washington date from 2013 onward.
Extremes in the Lake Washington ice-out record: March 1, 2024 early, April 30, 2018 late.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
How high Lake Washington is running
Readings in the DNR record for Lake Washington come from gauge readers, so each one is dated.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish swimming in Lake Washington
Survey catches from the DNR set this Lake Washington species list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Lake Washington rules from the DNR booklet
The DNR posts these special limits on Lake Washington.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Daily limit 10. |
| 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 |
By location Lake Washington belongs to the Southern Zone; check posted boundaries near the lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
How Lake Washington stacks up nearby
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Washington | 1,516 | 51 | 2 | 7.33 | |
| George Lake, Blue Earth County | 1 mile south | 88 | 28 | 1 | |
| West Jefferson Lake | 3 miles northeast | 439 | 24 | 2 | 0.22 |
| Ballantyne Lake | 4 miles southeast | 371 | 58 | 1 | 2.67 |
| Duck Lake, Blue Earth County | 4 miles southeast | 290 | 25 | 1 | 0.6 |
| Middle Jefferson Lake | 4 miles east | 667 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
What sits close to Lake Washington
Lakes one stop past Lake Washington
- George Lake, Blue Earth County1 mile south
- West Jefferson Lake3 miles northeast
- Ballantyne Lake4 miles southeast
- Duck Lake, Blue Earth County4 miles southeast
- Middle Jefferson Lake4 miles east
Bait shops an easy drive from Lake Washington
- CORNER BAITbait and tackle shop, Madison Lake, 5 miles
- Walt's Hook Line & Sinkerbait and tackle shop, Saint Peter, 5 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Mankato, 7 miles
- Mankato SCHEELSsporting goods store, Mankato, 7 miles
- Bobber Shop Fishingbait and tackle shop, Mankato, 8 miles
- Walts Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, North Mankato, 8 miles
Towns to stay in near Lake Washington
- Madison Lake4 miles
- Cleveland5 miles
- Kasota5 miles
Lake Washington and its counties
- Le Sueur Countyseat: Le Center
Reels and a weigh grip for Lake Washington
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Catches common at Lake Washington
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: -Rorey-, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Lake Washington, asked by anglers
Which Minnesota county is Lake Washington in?
Look in Le Sueur County, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 4 miles from Madison Lake.
How does Lake Washington rank by size?
LakeFinder lists 1,516 acres, 51 feet at the deepest.
Which access serves Lake Washington?
2 public accesses; Washington Lake (W) Access is one.
Which fish can I hook in Lake Washington?
On file: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and white crappie.
What did the last survey of Lake Washington find?
The newest is a standard survey from August 4, 2025. walleye ran 7.33 per gill net.
Are the statewide limits in force on Lake Washington?
Sunfish: Daily limit 10.
Which Minnesota license do I need on Lake Washington?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
Is there a level gauge on Lake Washington?
Ice usually leaves near April 4; most recently March 15, 2025.
Who sells leeches near Lake Washington?
CORNER BAIT, about 5 miles away.
Add Lake Washington to the summer list
Check the limits, then pick an access above.