Article from St. Paul Pioneer Press
Posted on Thu, Jun. 10, 2004
LAKE OF THE WEEK

Name: Madison
County: Blue Earth
Location: Four miles east of Eagle Lake
Size: 1,113 acres
Maximum depth: 59 feet
Public access: Three concrete ramps
Visitor information: The Bobber Shop 507-625-8228

What you'll catch: Walleyes are one of the main species that attract anglers. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries specialist Owen Baird said a majority of the fish are from 2001, which were between 12 and 14 inches last fall. Walleyes in Madison tend to grow faster than in similar lakes. One of the reasons is the presence of gizzard shad, which are more common south of Minnesota, Baird said.

Other species: Black and white crappies are abundant with average size. Baird said there have been reports of anglers catching white crappies. Bluegills were the most abundant species found in a 2002 netting survey. The biggest fish sampled was 8.5 inches with many other about 7 inches. Not many largemouth bass and northern pike are present and the northerns tend to be small. Baird said one of the possible reasons for the low numbers of big northerns is the high fishing pressure. Freshwater drum also are present and tend to bite on the same baits. The lake is connected to the LeSueur River, and some fish commonly found in rivers, such as catfish and shortnose gar, show up. The lake has good shore fishing on the south end near the bridge.

Fish recently stocked: Walleyes—2001: 746,720 fry and 39,228 fingerlings; 2000: 756,000 fry, 8,613 fingerlings and 355 adults; 1999: 728,210 fry; 1998: 11,415 fingerlings.

COMING SOON!