Blue Earth County, Minnesota
Madison Lake
Best fishing times today, in local lake time.
Today
Good day
Next major bite
4:33–6:33 PM CT- Major bite (moon overhead): 4:01–6:01 AM
- Minor bite (moonset): 12:49–1:49 PM
- Major bite (moon underfoot): 4:33–6:33 PM
- Minor bite (moonrise): 9:21–10:21 PM
- Sunrise
- 7:49 AM
- Sunset
- 6:07 PM
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 74%
Times in Central Time. Updated 7:57 AM CT.
Conditions
- Air
- 39°F
- Wind
- 5 mph E
- Sky
- Mostly Sunny
National Weather Service hourly forecast.
7-day bite calendar
| Day | Rating | Major | Major | Minor | Minor | Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Today | 4:01–6:01 AM | 4:33–6:33 PM | 12:49–1:49 PM | 9:21–10:21 PM | Waning gibbous, 74% | |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 5:03–7:03 AM | 5:33–7:33 PM | 1:33–2:33 PM | 10:40–11:40 PM | Waning gibbous, 63% | |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 5:01–7:01 AM | 5:28–7:28 PM | 1:07–2:07 PM | 10:58–11:58 PM | Last quarter, 52% | |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 5:54–7:54 AM | 6:18–8:18 PM | 1:34–2:34 PM | — | Waning crescent, 40% | |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6:42–8:42 AM | 7:05–9:05 PM | 12:14–1:14 AM | 1:56–2:56 PM | Waning crescent, 30% | |
| Wed, Nov 4 | 7:28–9:28 AM | 7:50–9:50 PM | 1:26–2:26 AM | 2:16–3:16 PM | Waning crescent, 20% | |
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8:12–10:12 AM | 8:34–10:34 PM | 2:36–3:36 AM | 2:35–3:35 PM | Waning crescent, 13% |
What's biting on Madison Lake in October
Madison Lake covers 1,447 acres and is 59 ft at its deepest. These are the sport fish DNR surveys found here, and what each typically does in October in Minnesota lakes.
- WalleyeFall walleye feed heavily on rocky points and breaklines; dusk and after dark are often best.
- Northern pikeFall pike feed heavily along the last green weeds and drop-offs.
- Largemouth bassBass gather near the remaining green weeds and drop-offs and feed before winter.
- CrappieFall crappies school tightly in deeper basins and feed actively.
- BluegillFall bluegill move toward deeper weed edges and feed actively.
- Yellow perchFall perch school on deep flats and feed heavily.
- Channel catfishChannel catfish start moving downstream toward deep wintering areas.
Season notes: Minnesota statewide inland seasons from the DNR's 2026–27 fishing regulations. Check current regulations.
Fish in Madison Lake
Species found in Minnesota DNR fish surveys of Madison Lake in the last 10 years or its latest survey (August 22, 2025).
- WalleyeSpawns over gravel and rock in the shallows soon after ice-out, peaking in 42–50°F water; in summer it holds deeper and feeds in the shallows at dawn and dusk.
- Northern pikeSpawns in flooded, weedy shallows right after ice-out and keeps feeding in cold water, so it bites from spring through ice season.
- Largemouth bassNests in shallow, firm-bottomed bays in late spring and spends summer in and along the weedbeds.
- Black crappieSpawns in May and June in shallow water in the mid-60s °F; schools roam open water and feed most at night, dawn and dusk.
- White crappieSpawns like the black crappie, in May and June in mid-60s °F shallows, but prefers warmer, murkier water.
- BluegillNests in colonies in firm-bottomed shallows from late May through much of summer, in 67–80°F water; bigger fish feed in open water.
- Yellow perchSpawns in early spring, draping egg ribbons over weeds and brush, and bites eagerly on worms all year, including through the ice.
- Channel catfishSpawns in early summer in 75–80°F water in hollow logs and undercut banks, and winters in deep water out of the current.
Also found
- Bigmouth buffalo
- Black bullhead
- Bowfin (dogfish)
- Common carp
- Freshwater drum
- Gizzard shad
- Quillback
- River carpsucker
- Shortnose gar
- White bass
- White sucker
- Yellow bullhead
Lake facts
- Area
- 1,447 acres
- Max depth
- 59 ft
- County
- Blue Earth County
- Nearest town
- Madison Lake
- DNR lake ID
- 07004400
Source: Minnesota DNR LakeFinder (retrieved October 30, 2026).
Nearby lakes
- Lura Lake24 mi
- Lake Washington5 mi · Le Sueur County
- Elysian Lake6 mi · Waseca County
- Tetonka Lake11 mi · Le Sueur County
- Cannon Lake23 mi · Rice County
- Freeborn Lake33 mi · Freeborn County