Madison Lake Fishing
A 98-acre Ohio lake in Madison County, electric motors only.
Pick for channel catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo: John Howard, CC BY-SA 4.0
What ODNR maps at Madison Lake
Anglers get 98 acres of lake at Madison Lake, a water of Madison County on the ODNR map. Its mapped shoreline runs about 4.7 miles. Gas, food and lodging are nearest in London, roughly 4 miles away.
Expect electric motors only on the water. The launch inventory shows 1 public launch.
ODNR Division of Wildlife lake outlines (acres and shoreline miles), horsepower and fish hot-spot layers, Census places, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio fish ODNR records at Madison Lake
ODNR sources connect these fish with Madison Lake; others may swim there unlisted.
ODNR fish hot-spot layers, ODNR stocking records and Outdoor Writers of Ohio records, retrieved October 26, 2026.
For the channel catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Ohio launches on Madison Lake
- Madison Lake State Parkconcrete ramp, 1 lane, 16 trailer spaces, courtesy dock, no launch fee, electric motors only; ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation
ODNR Parks and Watercraft boating facilities and DOW facility points, retrieved October 26, 2026.
Ohio limits at Madison Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (under 35 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Blue & Flathead Catfish (35 inches or larger) | 1 of each (statewide); minimum 35 inches | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (under 28 inches) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Channel Catfish (28 inches or larger) | 1 (statewide); minimum 28 inches | Open year-round |
| Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass | 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches | Open year-round |
| Muskellunge | 1 | Open year-round |
| Striped, Hybrid-Striped, & White Bass | 30 (singly or in combination); minimum No more than 4 over 15 inches | Open year-round |
| Trout | 5 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Walleye, Sauger, & Saugeye | 6 (singly or in combination) | Open year-round |
| Yellow Perch | 30 | Open year-round |
At Madison Lake the inland table holds, with any site-specific line overriding it.
Limits as printed in the 2026-27 Ohio Fishing Regulations (ODNR Division of Wildlife Publication 5085, effective March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) and the ODNR Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch daily limits sheet (May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027); retrieved October 26, 2026.
Hatchery fish released into Madison Lake
Between 1970 and 2022, ODNR logged 40 stocking entries for Madison Lake, led by 58,769 channel catfish, 22,844 largemouth bass, 13,200 bluegill.
| Year | Species | Number | Size or stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Channel Catfish | 4,960 | adv. fingerlings |
| 2020 | Channel Catfish | 2,467 | fingerlings |
| 2018 | Channel Catfish | 2,528 | fingerlings |
| 2016 | Channel Catfish | 5,390 | fingerlings |
| 2014 | Channel Catfish | 2,450 | yearling |
| 2012 | Channel Catfish | 2,452 | yearling |
| 2009 | Channel Catfish | 2,653 | yearling |
| 2008 | Channel Catfish | 3,457 | yearling |
| 2008 | Channel Catfish | 1,843 | yearling |
| 2008 | Rainbow Trout | 750 | catchable |
| 2006 | Channel Catfish | 1,888 | yearling |
| 2006 | Channel Catfish | 894 | yearling |
ODNR Division of Wildlife Ohio Fish Stocking Records (public copy of the DataOhio dataset, current as of May 31, 2022; numbers by water, year, species and life stage); retrieved October 26, 2026.
The closest lakes to Madison Lake, side by side
Size-wise, C.J. Brown Reservoir leads the neighbors at 1,969 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Motor rule | Hot-spot species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Lake | 98 | 1 | electric motors only | 0 | |
| Clark Lake | 16 miles west | 102 | 1 | 10 HP limit | 0 |
| Deer Creek Lake | 19 miles southeast | 1,301 | 2 | Electric Only, Unlimited | 0 |
| Griggs Reservoir | 19 miles northeast | 387 | 0 | 0 | |
| C.J. Brown Reservoir | 20 miles west | 1,969 | 3 | unlimited horsepower | 0 |
| Antrim Lake | 23 miles northeast | 42 | 0 | 0 |
ODNR lake outlines, horsepower and hot-spot layers and the launch inventory, retrieved October 26, 2026.
A short hop from Madison Lake
More ODNR lakes within reach of Madison Lake
- Clark Lake16 miles west
- Deer Creek Lake19 miles southeast
- Griggs Reservoir19 miles northeast
- C.J. Brown Reservoir20 miles west
- Antrim Lake23 miles northeast
Bait and tackle counters serving Madison Lake
- Fishermans West Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Galloway, 12 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Hilliardsporting goods store, Hilliard, 14 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Grove Citysporting goods store, Grove City, 18 miles
- Deer Creek Marinamarina, Mount Sterling, 18 miles
- Mary's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Washington Court House, 18 miles
- Jakes Marine Services & Powermarina, Springfield, 20 miles
Overnight options around Madison Lake
- London4 miles
- West Jefferson6 miles
- Lake Darby10 miles
The county guides that include Madison Lake
- Madison Countyseat: London
Piscifun picks for a run at Madison Lake
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Lakes, rivers and shore close to Madison Lake, pictured
Photo: Steven Miller, CC BY 2.0
Photo: JlNPhotos, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ɱ, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Kyle Hartshorn, CC BY 2.0
Ask-and-answer notes on Madison Lake
Which ODNR district covers Madison Lake?
Ohio anglers find it in Madison County, about 4 miles from London.
How much water does Madison Lake hold at the surface?
About 98 acres, with about 4.7 miles of shoreline.
Where is the boat ramp at Madison Lake?
Yes, 1 public launch, including Madison Lake State Park.
Which fish do ODNR files connect with Madison Lake?
Listed fish: channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, steelhead, saugeye, bluegill and muskellunge.
What can go in the cooler at Madison Lake under Ohio rules?
Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass: 5 (singly or in combination); minimum 12 inches; Open year-round.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Madison Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need an Ohio fishing license: $25.00 a year for residents, $76.96 for nonresidents and $10.00 for residents 65 and older.
What motor rule applies at Madison Lake?
Posted rule: electric motors only.
Which listed shop is the shortest drive from Madison Lake?
Fishermans West Bait & Tackle, about 12 miles away.
Is Madison Lake on the stocking records?
From 1970 to 2022: 40 releases, channel catfish first.
Circle a date for Madison Lake
License prices and the full ODNR limit tables are on one page.