Madison Lake Fishing
Blue Earth County, 1,447 acres, 59 feet deep.
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First look at Madison Lake
The DNR lists Madison Lake as a lake covering 1,447 acres in Blue Earth County. Soundings put the deepest water at 59 feet, with an average of 10.1 feet. About 71% of the lake, 1,026 acres, is under 15 feet deep. About 2 miles separate the lake from Madison Lake. Surveys come from the Waterville area fisheries office.
DNR surveys have recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Anglers launch from 4 public water accesses, 3 of them trailer launches. The newest catch data come from a standard survey on July 18, 2025. Walleye numbers, 7.75 per gill net, landed above the range the DNR expects (1.2-6.3). The DNR ice-out median is April 6 (109 records).
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These rows come from the standard survey on July 18, 2025; the normal range is the DNR range for lakes of the same class.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 62 | 7.75 | 1.2-6.3 | 4.29 | 1.2-2.7 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 8 | 0.67 | 0.3-1.2 | 3.39 | 0.8-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 29 | 3.62 | 1.5-7.3 | 7.68 | 2.0-3.5 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 10.8 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 166 | 20.75 | 2.0-27.9 | 0.16 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.14 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 415 | 51.88 | 2.5-16.5 | 0.33 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 47 | 3.92 | 1.8-21.2 | 0.48 | 0.2-0.3 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 72 | 9 | 0.22 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 274 | 22.83 | 7.5-62.5 | 0.17 | 0.1-0.3 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 4 | 0.5 | 0.3-0.8 | 0.71 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.2-0.7 | 3.08 | 0.2-0.9 |
Gill net totals, Madison Lake
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
The Madison Lake fishery in the DNR report
“Madison Lake is 1,446-acre lake located in Blue Earth County within the city of Madison Lake.”
“The maximum depth is 59 feet with approximately half of the lake less than 15 feet deep.”
“Madison Lake is considered eutrophic to hypereutrophic with generally poor water clarity and frequent algae blooms caused by elevated nutrient levels.”
“Three public boat ramps are available on Madison Lake; a DNR-maintained access on the south side of the north bay, a county-maintained access located within Bray Park, and a city-maintained access located within North Shore Park off County Road 44.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Madison Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Where trailers back down on Madison Lake
- Madison Lake (E) Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Madison Lake, Bray Park Access2 ramps, 25 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, Blue Earth County
- Madison Lake (NW) Access1 ramp, 25 trailer stalls, 2 docks, toilet, City of Madison Lake
- Madison Lake (SE) Access1 ramp, toilet, Blue Earth County
Fishing Madison Lake from shore
- Madison Lake Fishing Pier, Madison Lake (SE) Public Water Access Sitefishing pier, Blue Earth County, Madison Lake (SE) Public Water Access Site
- Madison Lake Fishing Pier, Blue Earth Countyfishing pier, City of Madison Lake
- Madison Lake Shore Fishing Siteshore fishing site, Blue Earth County
Accesses a short drive from Madison Lake
- Duck Lake Access near Madison LakeDuck, 2 miles northwest
- Ballantyne Lake AccessBallantyne, 2 miles northwest
- Gilfillin Lake AccessGilfillin, 2 miles west
- Frances Lake (W) AccessFrances, 4 miles northeast
- George Lake Access near Madison LakeGeorge, 5 miles northwest
- Eagle Lake Access near Eagle LakeEagle, 5 miles west
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Depth and shape of Madison Lake
Since 2016, 4 Secchi readings have been recorded on Madison Lake.
The earliest ice-out on record for Madison Lake came March 4, 1931; the latest, April 30, 2018.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Madison Lake elevation
The Madison Lake level history is a DNR volunteer gauge series, not a live feed.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Fish on record for Madison Lake
Species for Madison Lake come from DNR survey nets, so small or rare fish may be missing.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Bag and size limits on Madison Lake
The statewide table below is every limit that applies on Madison Lake.
| 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 |
Map position places Madison Lake in the Southern Zone for pike and bass.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Competition on Madison Lake
Open the Madison Lake tournament page for dates and results.
Madison Lake compared with its neighbors
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Lake | 1,447 | 59 | 4 | 7.75 | |
| Duck Lake, Blue Earth County | 2 miles north | 290 | 25 | 1 | 0.6 |
| Ballantyne Lake | 2 miles northwest | 371 | 58 | 1 | 2.67 |
| Eagle Lake, Blue Earth County | 5 miles west | 898 | 9 | 1 | 14.33 |
| George Lake, Blue Earth County | 5 miles northwest | 88 | 28 | 1 | |
| Eagle Lake CFP | 5 miles southwest | 1 | 5 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Close by Madison Lake
Lakes a short haul from Madison Lake
- Duck Lake, Blue Earth County2 miles north
- Ballantyne Lake2 miles northwest
- Eagle Lake, Blue Earth County5 miles west
- George Lake, Blue Earth County5 miles northwest
- Eagle Lake CFP5 miles southwest
Bait counters serving Madison Lake
- CORNER BAITbait and tackle shop, Madison Lake, 1 mile
- Jt's Hooked Up Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Elysian, 6 miles
- Fleet Farmsporting goods store, Mankato, 8 miles
- Mankato SCHEELSsporting goods store, Mankato, 8 miles
- Bobber Shop Fishingbait and tackle shop, Mankato, 9 miles
- Walts Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, North Mankato, 10 miles
Places to bunk near Madison Lake
- Madison Lake2 miles
- Eagle Lake4 miles
- Elysian6 miles
Minnesota counties sharing Madison Lake
- Blue Earth Countyseat: Mankato
Spinning and baitcasting picks for Madison Lake
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Species in the nets at Madison Lake
Photo: Ryan Somma, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: -Rorey-, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Answers before you launch on Madison Lake
Where does Madison Lake sit on a Minnesota map?
The lake point falls in Blue Earth County, managed from the Waterville fisheries office, about 2 miles from Madison Lake.
What acreage does LakeFinder give Madison Lake?
1,447 surface acres, 59 feet at the deepest.
Where is the public access on Madison Lake?
The DNR layer lists 4 public accesses; Madison Lake, Bray Park Access is a good start.
Is Madison Lake a good panfish lake?
walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish, per DNR surveys.
Is Madison Lake above normal for walleye?
A standard survey on July 18, 2025; walleye ran 7.75 per gill net.
Is Madison Lake under experimental regulations?
Statewide limits, Southern Zone.
Do I need a Minnesota license for Madison Lake?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does Madison Lake freeze and thaw?
Around April 6 in most years; March 28, 2026 last time.
Where can I buy minnows near Madison Lake?
Closest on our list: CORNER BAIT, 1 mile.
Hook up the trailer for Madison Lake
The license page lists every Minnesota limit.