Madison Lake (Minnesota) Explained

Madison Lake
Coordinates:44.1875°N -93.8125°W
Basin Countries:United States
Area:1446acres
Max-Depth:59feet
Elevation:1017feet
Islands:0
Cities:0
Shore:12miles
Pushpin Map:Minnesota
Pushpin Map Alt:Location of lake in Minnesota.

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. The lake covers an area of 1446acres and is 59feet deep at its deepest point.[3] It is named after President James Madison[4] 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.[5] [6] Madison Lake is part of the Le Sueur River watershed.

Ice Out Data

Madison Lake is notable in that reliable climatology data has been maintained for the last ice or "Ice Out" on the lake since 1927.[7] [8] Data was recorded on a nearby barn from 1927 to 1940[9] [10] Frank McCabe measured from 1940 to 1977.[11] Local residents Mary and Dennis Buschkowsky measured diligently from 1977 through 2018[11] [12] [13] The Buschkowskys' nephew, Steve Schoeb, continues to monitor starting in 2019.[14] [15] The earliest ice-out recorded on the lake was March 8, 2000.[8] The latest was April 30, 2018.[16] [8] The median ice out date as of 2020 is computed as April 5[15] or April 6.

Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener 2023

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited Madison Lake for the 2023 fishing opener on June 20, 2023.[17] The Governor's attendance had been delayed due to a scheduling conflict with his daughter's college graduation from the original May 12 weekend.[18] 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.[19] This was the 75th anniversary of the tradition. The location had been announced in August 2022.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Minnesota. State Entomologist. Report, State Entomologist of Minnesota to the Governor. 1914. Agricultural Experiment Station. 1–.
  2. Geology of Minnesota. United States: Pioneer Press Company, Printers, 1884.
  3. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/slice/madison-lake.html Madison Lake
  4. Book: Warren Upham. Minnesota Place Names: A Geographical Encyclopedia. 2001. Minnesota Historical Society Press. 978-0-87351-396-8. 64–.
  5. Book: W. H. Steele. Memories of By-gone Days. 1912. Beacon Press. 160–. September days at Madison Lake
  6. Book: 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. 1884. Rand, McNally & Company, printers.
  7. Nienaber, Dan - For science, watching the ice fade on Madison Lake. St. Paul Pioneer Press, April 19, 2013
  8. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/ice.html?id=07004400 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Lakefinder - Madison
  9. Krohn, Tim - Lakes free of ice, water levels high. Mankato Free Press, April 17, 2019
  10. Arola, Brian - Cold spring could bring historically late ice-outs Mankato Free Press, April 15, 2018
  11. Nienaber, Dan - Madison Lake’s official ice-out monitors maintain a history of spring. Mankato Free Press, April 13, 2013
  12. https://obituaries.mankatofreepress.com/obituary/mary-buschkowsky-1079517913 Mary Buschkowsky Obituary
  13. https://obituaries.mankatofreepress.com/obituary/dennis-buschkowsky-1089690469 Dennis Buschkowsky Obituary
  14. Dudley, Kevin - Local lakes officially ice free. Mankato Free Press, April 3, 2020
  15. Rademacher, Natalie - Ice leaving lakes earlier this spring. Mankato Free Press, March 26, 2021
  16. Arola, Brian - Spring in, ice out — finally Mankato Free Press, May 1, 2018
  17. Arola, Brian - Governor touts fishing investments on Madison Lake visit. The Free Press, Mankato, Minnesota. June 20, 2023
  18. https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/mankato-governors-fishing-opener-tim-walz/89-711fe64e-2ced-4e54-ba0b-f05446274d9b Mankato and Madison Lake hosting Governor’s 2023 Fishing Opener, without Gov. Walz
  19. https://www.mngovernorsopener.com/ 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener May 12-13, 2023
  20. Marshall, Brandon - Mankato to host 2023 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Rochester KAAL ABC 6, August 8, 2022