Madison County Lake Quality
New York, 8 lakes, average grade A (Excellent)
Madison County has 8 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. On average, Madison County lakes grade an A. That puts it near the top of the New York county ranking.
The county's lakes lean shallow, which makes the grades sensitive to wind, sediment-resuspension, and any nutrient inputs from the watershed. The cleanest lake on the books is Bradley Brook Reservoir (A); the most-stressed is Earlville Lake (C).
Quick Answers for Madison County
Planning a trip? Check special fishing regulations for Bradley Brook Reservoir — or check the official New York fishing regulations.
Fishing in Madison County
All Lakes in Madison County
| Rank | Lake | Grade | Clarity | Phosphorus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradley Brook Reservoir | A | 20.7 ft | - |
| 2 | Deruyter Reservoir | A | 17.6 ft | - |
| 3 | Lake Moraine | A | 20.3 ft | - |
| 4 | Eaton Reservoir | A | 18.2 ft | - |
| 5 | Tuscarora Lake | A | 20.5 ft | - |
| 6 | Cazenovia Lake | A | 16.7 ft | - |
| 7 | Hatch Lake | B | 13.4 ft | - |
| 8 | Earlville Lake | C | 7.8 ft | - |
Other Counties in New York
See how Madison County stacks up in the national county water-quality rankings, or browse the full directory of graded lakes across all 15 states.
Where to stay near Madison County
Top-rated places to stay near Madison County
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Madison County?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Madison County — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.