Outdoor Recreation

Lake Herman is 1,350 acres with excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, skiing and swimming. For the avid fisherperson, you'll find bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye.

Lake Madison is 2,800 acres offering exceptional fishing for bullhead, crappie, northern pike, perch and walleye. Also enjoy boating, canoeing, kayaking, skiing and swimming.

Camp Lakodia is located just west of Madison on Lake Herman. It is a premier full-fledged four-season resort with a wide range of amenities and activities.

Golfing

The Madison area is home to two premium golf courses, perfect for a day with family or friends.

The Lakes Golf Course is located just east of Madison near Lake Madison. The Lakes is a nine-hole regulation length public golf course open seven days a week. The Lakes opened in 1999 and is perfect for a day of golf in South Dakota.

The Madison Golf and Country Club is located just west of Madison near Prairie Village and Lake Herman. This course is an 18-hole regulation length private golf course. It features 6,162 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The Madison Country Club golf course opened in 1946.

Hunting and Fishing

The Madison area offers a variety of hunting and fishing opportunities. Both public and private hunting land is accessible. If you're looking for a guided hunt, several lodges and guide services are available. Fishing is a year-round event in Madison. Whether it's under the warm summer sun or the cold winter ice, the surrounding lakes offer a variety of species for catching. You'll find exceptional fishing for walleye, crappie, perch, bullhead and northern pike.

City Recreation

Madison is home to several city parks and recreational areas. With picnic shelters, ball diamonds, tennis courts, playgrounds, soccer fields and skating rinks, we have the perfect setting for warm summer nights or cool winter evenings. Our parks are the ideal destination for a bike ride or walk. With a recreation trail on its way, there will be plenty of opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The Community Center provides year-round fun with an indoor swimming pool, exercise facility and walking track.

Bird Watching

The areas surrounding Lake Madison and Lake Herman provide a bevy of birds for the avid birders. The best time to view the array of birds is March through October. You might spot birds such as Virginia Rail, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Marsh Wren, Ruddy Duck, Hooded Merganser, Ring-necked Duck, Great Horned Owl and Cackling Geese in migration. These are just a few of the species you will spot in the area. Refer to the Southeast South Dakota Birding Trail booklet for more information.