Madison County Lake Quality
Wisconsin, 2 lakes, average grade F (Very Poor)
Madison County has 2 graded lakes — a thin enough sample that one or two stressed lakes can move the county average noticeably. Use the per-lake pages below for what actually matters. The county average is F — the most-stressed bracket in our rubric. Most monitored lakes here show persistent nutrient loading and algal pressure.
Most of the county's monitored lakes are shallow — under 50 feet — which means wind keeps the water column mixed all summer and sediment-bound phosphorus releases back into the surface layer whenever the bottom is disturbed. Badger Creek Max Depth Lake (F) is the cleanest in the county.
Quick Answers for Madison County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Badger Creek Max Depth Lake, whether the fish are safe to eat, and the best times to fish — or browse the full Wisconsin regulations index.
All Lakes in Madison County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Max Depth | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Badger Creek Max Depth Lake | F | 1.6 ft | - | - |
| 2 | Cedar Lake | F | 1.6 ft | - | - |
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.