Madison

Blue Earth County, Minnesota — DOW #07004400

197 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Madison has confirmed populations of:

Eurasian watermilfoil

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

1,447.14

Acres

59 ft

Max Depth

0

21

Fish Species

0

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Madison. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

White Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.26 lb	12
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.46 lb	1
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	21.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.17 lb	130
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	5.5 (normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.24 lb	22
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.07 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.29 lb	1
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.20 lb	14
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.35 lb	10
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.24 lb	31
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	7.3 (normal)	0.7 – 10.4	0.14 lb	44
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 6.6	0.90 lb	1

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	4.4 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.55 lb	40
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	6.9 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.66 lb	83
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.92 lb	8
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	5.8 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.83 lb	35
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	1.15 lb	13
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	5.9 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.73 lb	47
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	5.0 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.87 lb	20
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.94 lb	29
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.7 – 25.7	2.70 lb	7
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	8.0 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	1.28 lb	48
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 25.7	0.55 lb	4
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	10.3 (normal)	2.5 – 45.0	0.83 lb	62

White Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.46 lb	1
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	1.60 lb	2
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.62 lb	1
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.27 lb	7
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	2.13 lb	3
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	1.61 lb	5
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	1.47 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.54 lb	3
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.91 lb	26
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	12.0 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.5	1.02 lb	72
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	5.3 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	1.08 lb	21
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	7.0 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	1.04 lb	56
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	4.1 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	1.24 lb	45
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	5.8 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.84 lb	35
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	8.5 (above normal)	0.9 – 5.7	0.85 lb	34
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	0.5 – 7.5	1.64 lb	22
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.9 – 5.7	1.45 lb	7
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 7.5	0.91 lb	2
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.9 – 5.7	1.13 lb	8

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	5.09 lb	29
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.84 lb	3
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	10.7 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	2.47 lb	64
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	4.62 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	10.4 (above normal)	1.5 – 7.3	4.17 lb	83
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.6	—	4.97 lb	18
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	4.2 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	3.02 lb	25
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	2.3	—	4.08 lb	9
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	3.59 lb	29
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	4.87 lb	6
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	1.5 – 7.3	4.18 lb	17
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.06 lb	1

GIS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	1.74 lb	7
2020-10-13	Fall electrofishing	0.5	—	—	1
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	2.5	—	1.72 lb	15
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	4.1	—	0.47 lb	33
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	1.40 lb	9
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	19.7	—	0.15 lb	118
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	1.5	—	1.33 lb	9

Channel Catfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	1.15 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.14 lb	6
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.05 lb	9
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	—	1
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.11 lb	1

Freshwater Drum

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	3.4 (normal)	0.5 – 4.2	1.12 lb	31
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	46.2 (above normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.56 lb	554
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.2	1.09 lb	16
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	37.3 (above normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.62 lb	224
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	17.4 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	1.30 lb	192
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	13.5 (normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.93 lb	108
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	6.8 (above normal)	0.5 – 4.2	0.57 lb	27
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	39.3 (above normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.61 lb	236
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	3.5 (normal)	0.5 – 4.2	2.75 lb	42
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	26.0 (normal)	4.0 – 32.3	1.46 lb	156
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	4.0 (normal)	0.5 – 4.2	0.82 lb	16
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	42.3 (above normal)	4.0 – 32.3	0.56 lb	254

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	4.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.0	3.11 lb	56
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	9.1 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.0	2.26 lb	82
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.71 lb	9
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	3.31 lb	3
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.38 lb	8
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.4 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	4.15 lb	15
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 3.0	4.26 lb	4
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.0	2.98 lb	7
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	5.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.0	4.74 lb	31
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	5.2 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.0	6.48 lb	62
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	3.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.0	4.08 lb	13

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard electrofishing	45.0	—	0.70 lb	48
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.87 lb	1
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	2.64 lb	1
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.8	1.01 lb	4
2022-07-18	Standard electrofishing	23.9	—	1.06 lb	31
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	2.19 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	3.54 lb	2
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.02 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.8	0.46 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.01 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	7.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 6.3	3.08 lb	84
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.35 lb	7
2020-10-13	Fall electrofishing	1.0	—	—	2
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	1.56 lb	27
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	2.10 lb	6
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	4.9 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.88 lb	39
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	2.63 lb	4
2023-10-25	Fall electrofishing	1.2	—	—	2
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	6.2 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.09 lb	37
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	3.39 lb	8
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	9.7 (above normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.68 lb	58
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	4.33 lb	12
2021-10-06	Fall electrofishing	32.3	—	—	66
2022-10-03	Fall electrofishing	21.9	—	—	38
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	4.5 (normal)	1.2 – 6.3	2.09 lb	27
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.30 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	9.4	—	0.22 lb	113
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	33.2 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.16 lb	299
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	3.28 lb	2
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	29.5 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.27 lb	118
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	7.5	—	0.27 lb	60
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	14.8 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.15 lb	163
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.22 lb	20
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	48.3 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.23 lb	193
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.16 lb	2
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	2.9 (below normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.16 lb	35
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.41 lb	4
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	23.8 (normal)	7.5 – 62.5	0.30 lb	95

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	1.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.75 lb	12
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.25 lb	25
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.81 lb	10
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	4.3 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.10 lb	17
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	3.91 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.70 lb	22
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	4.16 lb	4
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.00 lb	3
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	4.33 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	6.68 lb	11
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	4.97 lb	4
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	6.67 lb	3

SNG

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	2.41 lb	5
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.72 lb	6
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.5	—	3.71 lb	3
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	2.03 lb	2
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.4	—	2.44 lb	11
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	1.79 lb	5
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	3.44 lb	2
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	2.44 lb	5
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	1.80 lb	1

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.61 lb	21
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	3.24 lb	2
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	5.0 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.2	1.27 lb	30
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	2.42 lb	4
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.04 lb	7
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	2.00 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.2	3.29 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.0	6.07 lb	12
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	2.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.2	2.05 lb	16

BIB

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	7.10 lb	4
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.00 lb	1
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	6.78 lb	11
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	7.12 lb	5
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.76 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	43.8 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.28 lb	525
2008-07-07	Standard trap nets	5.1 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.36 lb	46
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	67.3 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.15 lb	404
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	41.5 (above normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.25 lb	166
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	83.6 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.14 lb	669
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	6.5 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.40 lb	72
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	45.5 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.19 lb	273
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	49.8 (above normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.28 lb	199
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	17.0 (above normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.20 lb	102
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.27 lb	25
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.5 – 16.5	0.18 lb	18
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	1.8 – 21.2	0.53 lb	19

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2008-07-07	Standard gill nets	14.4 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.12 lb	173
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.10 lb	2
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	8.0 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.09 lb	48
2022-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.09 lb	3
2022-07-18	Standard gill nets	7.8 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.09 lb	62
1989-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.09 lb	9
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.15 lb	14
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	9.2 (normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.16 lb	55
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.06 lb	1
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	36.7 (above normal)	2.0 – 27.9	0.19 lb	220

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.22 lb	5
1988-07-06	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.23 lb	8
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.27 lb	3
1993-09-08	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.21 lb	1
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.11 lb	1
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.26 lb	5
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.7 – 4.2	0.35 lb	11

HFS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1988-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.37 lb	1

LNG

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	2.06 lb	2
1986-07-01	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	1.50 lb	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1993-09-08	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.13 lb	1
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.3	0.31 lb	1

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-07-01	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	0.31 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 12 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Atlantis Hobby

Mankato, MN

★ 4.8

Bait Shop

Mapleton, MN

Buckmeister Bait and Butcher

Madison Lake, MN

★ 5

Lake Wita Live Bait

Kasota, MN

★ 4.7

Pet Expo - Mankato

Mankato, MN

★ 4.7

Walts Bait and Tackle

Mankato, MN

★ 4.6

Nearby Marinas

Dale's Marine

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.6

Duck Lake Park

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.6

Fort Le Hillier Landing River Access

Mankato, MN

★ 4.3

Lake Washington Club, Inc

Madison Lake, MN

★ 4.9

Mankato Motorsports

Mankato, MN

★ 4.7

Mapleton Marine

Mapleton, MN

★ 3.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Madison

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Madison.

Fishing Resort Mankato

(507) 387-8600

River Center Properties

Fishing Resort Mankato

(507) 387-7368

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Madison. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Bigmouth Buffalo Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Channel Catfish Common Carp Crappie Freshwater Drum Gizzard Shad Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Quillback River Carpsucker Shortnose Gar Walleye White Bass White Crappie White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Blue Earth County

Ballantyne

Crystal

Duck

Eagle

George

Hiniker Pond

Plan Your Trip to Madison

Weather forecast for Madison — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 44.1895°N, 93.8017°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.