Local map guide · Minnesota

Fishing lakes near Mankato

Mankato is surrounded by compact southern Minnesota lakes, so this list emphasizes useful variety rather than distance alone. Every selected water has survey-backed contours and a Minnesota DNR access record.

10 useful waters10 survey-backed maps10 with verified access records

Interactive context map. Green-ringed markers have survey-backed contours; white-ringed markers are approximated. Select a marker to open its lake page.

How to narrow the list

Start with Lake Washington or Madison Lake when you want a broader multi-species option. Ballantyne and Frances add deeper water, while Eagle, Duck and the Jefferson lakes let you compare shallower basins without driving far.

The access counts come from Minnesota DNR Water Access Sites. A carry-in label is useful for small craft and some shore-oriented planning; it does not promise fishable public bank along the rest of the shoreline.

Ten fishing waters to compare

Drive times are planning estimates derived from straight-line distance, not live routes or traffic. Check your navigation app before leaving.

Ballantyne
9 mi · about 20 min
Map
Survey-backed · 50 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Lake Washington
9 mi · about 20 min
Map
Survey-backed · 40 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill
Access
2 public boat-access sites; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
George
8 mi · about 20 min
Map
Survey-backed · 25 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Madison Lake
10 mi · about 25 min
Map
Survey-backed · 50 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie
Access
4 public access sites; 1 carry-in or shore-oriented · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Eagle (North)
6 mi · about 15 min
Map
Survey-backed · 10 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Emily
11 mi · about 25 min
Map
Survey-backed · 35 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Duck
10 mi · about 25 min
Map
Survey-backed · 20 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
Frances
15 mi · about 30 min
Map
Survey-backed · 60 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Crappie, Bluegill
Access
2 public boat-access sites; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
West Jefferson
11 mi · about 25 min
Map
Survey-backed · 20 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie
Access
3 public access sites; 1 carry-in or shore-oriented · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →
East Jefferson
14 mi · about 30 min
Map
Survey-backed · 35 ft max
Species
Largemouth Bass, Walleye, White Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie
Access
1 public boat-access site; bank access not confirmed · MN DNR Water Access Sites (struc_water_access_sites), Minnesota Geospatial Commons
Open the depth map →