---
type: lake
name: "Lake Washington"
county: "Le Sueur"
nearest_town: "Madison Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1516
max_depth_ft: 51
latitude: 44.25437
longitude: -93.87336
lake_score: 65
dnr_lake_id: "40011700"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-washington
---

# Lake Washington

Lake in Le Sueur County, Minnesota, near Madison Lake

- **Surface Area**: 1,516 acres
- **Max Depth**: 51 ft
- **Shoreline**: 12.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 2.4 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 65/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Lake Washington is a 1,516-acre lake near Madison Lake in Le Sueur County, Minnesota. It reaches 51 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 12.1 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Le Sueur County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.4 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 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. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Lake Washington Campground and Lake Washington Primitive Camping are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 4, based on 78 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit 10.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Lake Washington Campground
- Lake Washington Primitive Camping
- Lake Washington Park

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 4
- **Years of record**: 78
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-01
- **Latest**: 2018-04-30

## Nearby Lakes

- [George Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/blue-earth-county/george-lake) - 1.5 miles, 88 acres
- [West Jefferson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/west-jefferson-lake) - 2.7 miles, 439 acres
- [Ballantyne Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/blue-earth-county/ballantyne-lake) - 3.6 miles, 371 acres
- [Duck Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/blue-earth-county/duck-lake) - 3.8 miles, 290 acres
- [Middle Jefferson Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/middle-jefferson-lake) - 4.3 miles, 667 acres
- [Lake Emily](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-emily) - 4.5 miles, 300 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.25437,-93.87336)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=40011700)
- [All lakes in Le Sueur County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/le-sueur-county/lake-washington)*