Madison

A survey targeting age-0 Walleyes was conducted at Madison Lake on 30 October 2025 using 90 minutes of standard boat electrofishing. No age-0 Walleyes were sampled for a catch rate of 0.0/hour on-time for the second year in a row. The mean catch rate since 2003 during fry stocked years (n=11) was 31.8/per hour on-time while non-stocked years (n=7) have averaged 16.3/hour on-time. Natural reproduction has been poor since 2015 while fry stockings in 2016, 2021, and 2022 have produced moderate numbers.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Madison Lake was conducted on 22 August 2025 by DNR Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at 18 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 13 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used to sample 4 stations. One station could not be seined. Nearshore sampling captured 18 species of fish including one Logperch which is a species that are intolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a standard survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. Madison Lake scored a 13 which is below the level for impairment (45) for tool 2 shallow lakes. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Iowa Darter), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Bigmouth Buffalo). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Le Sueur River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

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. Public fishing piers are located near the city boat ramp and on the south side of the lake near Buckmaster Bridge. Much of the shoreline of Madison Lake is heavily developed and the lake is popular for fishing and recreation. Madison Lake is primarily managed for Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye and secondarily for Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Madison Lake is a Tier-1 Lake and will be surveyed as part of a regularly scheduled monitoring program at a frequency of once every 3 years. The 2025 survey was completed the week of 14 July 2025 using 8 gill nets, 12 trap nets, and 67 minutes of boat electrofishing to catch Largemouth Bass. Water quality parameters were also measured. Black Crappies were the most abundant sport fish in the gill nets in 2025 with a catch rate of 51.9/net. Black Crappie sampled in 2025 ranged from 3.0 to 12.0 inches with an average of 8.4 inches. The trap nets sampled an additional 47 Black Crappie ranging from 5.9 to 12.8 inches. Black Crappie ranged from age-1 to age-10 with 9 year-classes present. The age-2 age group was the most abundant followed by the age-4 group. The high relative abundance of Black Crappies in 2025 was largely a result of abundant small, young fish and points to a highly productive fishery with consistent recruitment, despite heavy angling pressure year after year. A total of 274 Bluegills were sampled with trap nets for a catch rate of 22.8/net. Bluegills ranged from 3.8 to 8.7 inches with an average of 6.7 inches. Another 72 Bluegills up to 8.6 inches were sampled with the gill nets. Bluegills ranged from 2 to 10 years old with 9 year-classes present. Four year-old Bluegills made up approximately 69 percent of the sample. Bluegill growth was moderate with an average length of 6.3 inches at age-4. The lack of Bluegills larger than 8.5 inches may have been a result of heavy annual pressure and harvest. Walleye numbers were higher in 2025 than the 2022 survey. A total of 62 Walleye were sampled with the gill nets for a catch rate of 7.8/net. Walleyes ranged from 16.7 to 28.7 inches with an average of 22.4 inches. Eight additional Walleyes up to 28.0 inches were sampled with the trap nets. Walleye were 3 to 15 years old with 11 year-classes present. The 4 year-old group was the most abundant. Evidence of strong natural reproduction has been documented in past fall electrofishing surveys but not in recent years. Erratic natural reproduction has led to an imbalanced Walleye population made up of mostly large fish in Madison Lake. A total of 60 Largemouth Bass were sampled with standard boat electrofishing for a catch rate of 53.9/hour. Largemouth Bass ranged from 3.4 to 19.1 inches with an average of 10.1 inches. Eight more Largemouth Bass ranging from 8.4 to 19.9 inches were sampled with the net gears. Northern Pike were sampled at an all-time high in 2022 of 10.4/net. In 2025 catch rate was 3.6/net. Northern Pike in 2025 ranged from 16.9 to 39.2 inches with an average of 30.6 inches. Approximately 90% of Northern Pike sampled were over the legal minimum length threshold of 24 inches. An additional 4 Northern Pike, averaging 36.6 inches, were sampled with the trap nets. Yellow Perch numbers bounced back after two straight surveys of declining relative abundance. In 2025, the gill net catch rate jumped to 20.8/net which was the third highest on record. Yellow Perch in 2025 varied from 5.4 to 10.0 inches with an average of 7.4 inches. Yellow Perch are an important prey species for Walleye and Northern Pike, and the low numbers in previous surveys may have been partially responsible for the observed lack of Walleye recruitment in the 2025 survey. Freshwater Drum are consistently sampled in high numbers in Madison Lake. The 2025 catch rate of 28.6/net was no different and fell just below the lake class third quartile (32.3/net). Freshwater Drum ranged from 7.3 to 15.6 inches with an average of 12.9 inches. Discounted as a "rough fish", Freshwater Drum have potential as both a sport and food fish and should be promoted as such. Gizzard Shad have historically been present in low numbers in Madison Lake. Three out of the past four surveys there were zero Gizzard Shad sampled. The historic average catch rate was 5.2/gill net prior to 2025. However, in 2025 the catch rate exploded to an all-time high of 79.5/gill net. Gizzard shad appear to have had high recruitment each of the past four years. Fish sampled ranged in size from 0.9 inches to 17.8 inches. Gizzard shad are a major prey species for predator fish. This could explain the large size of Northern Pike and Walleye sampled in the 2025 survey. The numbers of Gizzard Shad available to Northern Pike and Walleye may also explain why anglers have commented they are not able to catch Northern Pike and Walleye in Madison Lake. Other species sampled in 2025 include Bigmouth Buffalo (0.1/gill net), Black Bullhead (15.8/gill net), Bowfin (1.6/trap net), Common Carp (0.8/trap net), Golden Shiner (0.1/gill net), Quillback (0.1/trap net), Shortnose Gar (0.1/gill net), White Bass (0.8/gill net), White Crappie (0.3/gill net), White Sucker (0.3/net), and Yellow Bullhead (6.0/gill net). Water clarity was moderate to poor with a secchi depth of 3.3 feet. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen readings ranged from 7.4 ppm and 77.5 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface to 0.0 ppm and 57.9 degrees Fahrenheit at 53 feet. A thermocline was detected at about 21 feet. Anglers can play an important role in maintaining or improving a fish population by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for consumption, while encouraging the release of medium to large fish that may contribute to natural reproduction. This practice helps maintain balance in the fish populations and provides anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Additionally, smaller fish often taste better and have fewer contaminants than larger, older fish from the same water body. Shoreline property owners also play an important role in the overall health of an aquatic ecosystem, including the fish population. Natural shorelines, including vegetation, woody debris, and bottom substrates, provide valuable habitat for fish and wildlife, help maintain water quality, and reduce bank erosion. Cattails and bulrushes are particularly beneficial for fish spawning, rearing, and feeding. By leaving natural shorelines unaltered or restoring them to natural conditions, shoreline property owners are doing their part to maintain or improve a healthy ecosystem in the lake and protect the resource for future generations. -Tyler Fellows, fisheries specialist

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and White Crappie in Madison. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Madison. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Madison has a maximum depth of 59 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Madison is from 2025.

Yes — Madison has confirmed Eurasian watermilfoil. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.