Lake Madison
About Lake Madison
Lake Madison is a 1,447-acre lake near Madison Lake in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. It reaches 59 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.4 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Blue Earth County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 3 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county, Minnesota DNR, and city. RV Sites and RV Back-in Sites are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 6, based on 109 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Lake Madison
- 1,447 acres, up to 59 feet deep, near Madison Lake
- 3 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the county, Minnesota DNR, and city
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 2.3 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at RV Sites and RV Back-in Sites
- Listed as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- county, Minnesota DNR, city
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,447 acres
- Max depth
- 59 ft
- Shoreline
- 12.4 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 722 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 3 public boat launches (concrete)
- Camping: RV Sites, RV Back-in Sites, and Overflow Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 20
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 6
- Years of record
- 109
- Earliest
- March 4, 1931
- Latest
- April 30, 2018
- Most recent
- March 28, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
RV Sites, RV Back-in Sites, Overflow Campground, and Tent Camping are mapped on or near Lake Madison. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Lake Madison
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Nearby Lakes
Duck Lake
65 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Madison Lake290 acres
2.3 miles away
Ballantyne Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Madison Lake371 acres
2.4 miles away
Eagle Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Eagle Lake898 acres
4.6 miles away
George Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreBlue Earth · Marysburg88 acres
4.8 miles away
Frances Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Greenland927 acres
5.2 miles away
Swede's Bay
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreLe Sueur · Marysburg507 acres
5.3 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lake Madison?
Lake Madison is in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, near Madison Lake. It covers 1,447 acres and reaches 59 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Lake Madison?
Lake Madison covers 1,447 acres with about 12.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 59 feet.
What fish can you catch at Lake Madison?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, and White Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Lake Madison?
Yes. Lake Madison has 3 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the county, Minnesota DNR, and city. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Lake Madison?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Lake Madison. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Lake Madison stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Lake Madison; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Lake Madison?
The median ice-out date is April 6, from 109 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 4, 1931 and the latest is April 30, 2018.
Can you camp at Lake Madison?
Yes. RV Sites, RV Back-in Sites, and Overflow Campground are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Lake Madison have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Lake Madison as infested with Eurasian watermilfoil. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.