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 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.

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.

No — Madison has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.