Madison Lake (sometimes styled Lake Madison in publications up to the early part of the 20th century[1][2]) is a lake in Blue Earth County, Minnesota, United States.[3] The lake covers an area of 1,446 acres (5.85 km2) and is 59 feet (18 m) deep at its deepest point.[4] It is named after President James Madison[5] The city of Madison Lake, Minnesota is located on the Northwest shoreline of the lake. The lake and the Point Pleasant resort have been long-noted fishing destinations.[6][7] Madison Lake is part of the Le Sueur River watershed.
| Madison Lake | |
|---|---|
  Madison Lake | |
| Location | Blue Earth County, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°11′15″N 93°48′45″W / 44.18750°N 93.81250°W |
| Type | lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,446 acres (5.85 km2) |
| Max. depth | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Shore length1 | 12 mi (19 km) |
| Surface elevation | 1,017 ft (310 m) |
| Islands | 0 |
| Settlements | 0 |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Ice Out Data
editMadison Lake is notable in that reliable climatology data has been maintained for the last ice or "Ice Out" on the lake since 1927.[8][9] Data was recorded on a nearby barn from 1927 to 1940[10][11] Frank McCabe measured from 1940 to 1977.[12] Local residents Mary and Dennis Buschkowsky measured diligently from 1977 through 2018[12][13][14] The Buschkowskys' nephew, Steve Schoeb, continues to monitor starting in 2019.[15][16] The earliest ice-out recorded on the lake was March 8, 2000.[9] The latest was April 30, 2018.[17][9] The median ice out date as of 2020 is computed as April 5[16] or April 6.[9]
Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener 2023
editMinnesota Governor Tim Walz visited Madison Lake for the 2023 fishing opener on June 20, 2023.[18] The Governor's attendance had been delayed due to a scheduling conflict with his daughter's college graduation from the original May 12 weekend.[19] Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan was the "fishing leader" for the season 2023 opener. The Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener is a tradition that dates back to 1948.[20] This was the 75th anniversary of the tradition. The location had been announced in August 2022.[21]
References
edit- ^ Minnesota. State Entomologist (1914). Report, State Entomologist of Minnesota to the Governor. Agricultural Experiment Station. pp. 1–.
- ^ Geology of Minnesota. United States: Pioneer Press Company, Printers, 1884.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Madison Lake (Minnesota)
- ^ Madison Lake. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- ^ Warren Upham (2001). Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia. Minnesota Historical Society Press. pp. 64–. ISBN 978-0-87351-396-8.
- ^ W. H. Steele (1912). Memories of By-gone Days. Beacon Press. pp. 160–. September days at Madison Lake
- ^ A Summer Holiday: A Brief Description of Some of the Most Noted Summer Resorts in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, and the Best Routes by which They Can be Reached. Rand, McNally & Company, printers. 1884.
- ^ Nienaber, Dan - For science, watching the ice fade on Madison Lake. St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 19, 2013
- ^ a b c d Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lakefinder - Madison, State of Minnesota DNR, 2020. Madison (07004400) Ice Out Summary Median ice out date: April 6, Earliest ice out date: March 4, 1931, Latest ice out date: April 30, 2018, Period of record: 1927 to 2020, Number of observations: 102.
- ^ Krohn, Tim - Lakes free of ice, water levels high. Mankato Free Press, April 17, 2019
- ^ Arola, Brian - Cold spring could bring historically late ice-outs Mankato Free Press, April 15, 2018
- ^ a b Nienaber, Dan - Madison Lake’s official ice-out monitors maintain a history of spring. Mankato Free Press, April 13, 2013
- ^ Mary Buschkowsky Obituary Mankato Free Press, July 14, 2020
- ^ Dennis Buschkowsky Obituary Mankato Free Press, May 3, 2024
- ^ Dudley, Kevin - Local lakes officially ice free. Mankato Free Press, April 3, 2020
- ^ a b Rademacher, Natalie - Ice leaving lakes earlier this spring. Mankato Free Press, March 26, 2021
- ^ Arola, Brian - Spring in, ice out — finally Mankato Free Press, May 1, 2018
- ^ Arola, Brian - Governor touts fishing investments on Madison Lake visit. The Free Press, Mankato, Minnesota. June 20, 2023
- ^ Mankato and Madison Lake hosting Governor’s 2023 Fishing Opener, without Gov. Walz. KARE 11, May 9, 2023
- ^ 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener May 12-13, 2023 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, viewed June 21, 2023
- ^ Marshall, Brandon - Mankato to host 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Rochester KAAL ABC 6, August 8, 2022
External links
edit- Minnesota DNR LakeFinder - Madison
- Le Sueur River Watershed Minnesota PCA