Lake Mendota Fishing
A 9,781-acre Wisconsin lake in Dane County, down to 83 feet.
Pick for panfishPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
The basics of Lake Mendota for anglers
Lake Mendota is a lake of 9,781 acres lying in Dane County. The bottom drops to 83 feet at most, with a mean of 42 feet. For a home base, Madison is roughly 1 mile away. It falls in the WDNR South Central Region. Its WDNR lake class is complex two story.
Find a Lake shows panfish, catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye. Public launching comes through 12 public boat landings. About 7.3 feet of clarity, by the 2017 satellite estimate.
For the panfish herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The Lake Mendota fishery by species
Abundance labels for Lake Mendota come straight from the WDNR lake page.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Abundant |
| Catfish | Common |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
| Musky | Present |
| Sturgeon | Present |
WDNR on lakes like Lake Mendota
“Complex two story lakes are able to support coldwater species – primarily cisco, and occasionally lake trout or lake whitefish. They have the potential to produce action and quality walleye fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Launching on Lake Mendota
- Warner Park Boat Ramp5 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Madison Parks Dept.
- Governor Nelson State Park Boat Landing4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, fish cleaning, Gov. Nelson State Park
- Marshall Park Boat Ramp4 lanes, more than 25 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Madison Parks Dept.
- Mendota County Park Boat Launch2 lanes, boarding dock, restroom, Dane County Parks Division
- Middleton Boat Ramp2 lanes, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Recreation Dept.
- Tenney Park Boat Ramp2 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Madison Parks Dept.
- Governors Island Boat Landing1 lane, Mendota Mental Health
- Lake Street Boat Ramp1 lane, Madison Parks Dept.
- Spring Harbor Park Boat Ramp1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Madison Parks Dept.
- Willow Drive Boat Launch1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Madison Parks Dept.
- James Madison Park Canoe/Kayak Launchcarry-in, restroom, City of Madison
- Veith Avenue Carry-In Accesscarry-in, Property Supervisor
Piers and shore spots at Lake Mendota
- Governor Nelson State Park Fishing Pierfishing pier, Wisconsin Dnr – Governor Nelson State Park, end depth 5-10 feet
Other launches near Lake Mendota
- Yahara River Boat LandingYahara River, 3 miles east
- Law Park Boat LandingLake Monona, 3 miles southeast
- Vilas Park Boat LaunchLake Wingra, 3 miles south
- Cherokee Marsh Carry-in AccessCherokee Lake/Yahara River, 3 miles north
- Cherokee Conservation Park LandingCherokee Lake Ditch, 4 miles northeast
- Olin Turville Park Canoe LaunchMurphy Creek, 4 miles southeast
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Water quality and bottom at Lake Mendota
Expect a bottom of 29% sand, 29% gravel, 2% rock, 40% muck on Lake Mendota.
By water source, Lake Mendota counts as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasive species the WDNR has confirmed in Lake Mendota: chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, japanese knotweed (fallopia japonica), rusty crayfish, spiny waterflea and zebra mussel. Clean boats and drain live wells before leaving the landing.
On Lake Mendota, local rules cover designated mooring area, slow-no-wake areas, other.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Lake Mendota water level
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mendota At Madison, Wi | 9.79 ft gage height, 849.79 ft lake elevation | Oct 22 5:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 5:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Seasons and bag limits on Lake Mendota
For Lake Mendota, the DNR regulation search returns the rows shown here.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 14" and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| White perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. |
The all-species line for Lake Mendota reads: Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the LAKE MENDOTA including CHEROKEE LAKE, UNNAMED LAKE OR POND T8N-R9E-S36 Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
The Dane County entry says: Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
Pike rules here follow the zone south of Hwy 10; bass follow the Southern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Fish stocked in Lake Mendota
WDNR crews stocked Lake Mendota 1 times from 2024 to 2024, 49,252 fish counted.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | large fingerling | 7.68 in | 49,252 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Heaviest Wisconsin fish from Lake Mendota
| Species | Weight | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Catfish | 25 lbs. 12 oz. | 2023-07-13 | alternate method |
| Yellow Bass | 2 lbs. 13.8 oz. | 2025-04-22 | hook and line |
| White Bass | 1 lb. 9.8 oz. | 2022-05-14 | alternate method |
| Golden Shiner | 0 lbs. 9.1 oz. | 2021-03-29 | hook and line |
| Channel Catfish | 2023-01-15 | live release | |
| Green Sunfish | 2020-09-02 | live release |
WDNR record fish list, revised September 2026; angler names left out. All Wisconsin records.
Event permits for Lake Mendota
WDNR tournament permits and posted results for Lake Mendota are collected on one page.
Lake Mendota against nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mendota | 9,781 | 83 | 12 | complex two story | |
| Lake Wingra | 4 miles south | 336 | 14 | 1 | complex warm dark |
| Lake Monona | 4 miles southeast | 3,359 | 74 | 5 | complex two story |
| Upper Mud Lake | 7 miles southeast | 218 | 8 | 0 | complex riverine |
| Lake Waubesa | 8 miles southeast | 2,074 | 38 | 4 | complex warm dark |
| Mud Lake near McFarland, Dane County | 10 miles southeast | 185 | 15 | 0 | complex riverine |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Close to Lake Mendota
More water to try near Lake Mendota
- Lake Wingra4 miles south
- Lake Monona4 miles southeast
- Upper Mud Lake7 miles southeast
- Lake Waubesa8 miles southeast
- Mud Lake near McFarland, Dane County10 miles southeast
Shops that serve Lake Mendota anglers
- L.L.Bean, 434 N Midvale Blvdbait and tackle shop, Madison, 3 miles
- Mazanet Marinamarina, Madison, 3 miles
- D & S Bait Tackle & Fly Shopbait and tackle shop, Madison, 3 miles
- Sierra, 676 S Whitney Waybait and tackle shop, Madison, 5 miles
- Dorn Outdoorssporting goods store, Madison, 5 miles
- Harley's Liquor & Baitbait and tackle shop, Madison, 5 miles
Communities around Lake Mendota
- Madison1 mile
- Shorewood Hills2 miles
- Maple Bluff3 miles
Counties holding Lake Mendota
- Dane Countyseat: Madison
Piscifun reels sized for Lake Mendota
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Water close to Lake Mendota in photographs
Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Corey Coyle, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Awkwafaba, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Common questions about fishing Lake Mendota
Where in Wisconsin is Lake Mendota?
Dane County holds it, WDNR South Central Region, about 1 mile from Madison.
How deep does Lake Mendota get?
Roughly 9,781 acres and 83 feet at the deepest.
Which public landing serves anglers on Lake Mendota?
There are 12 mapped landings; Warner Park Boat Ramp has the most lanes.
Is Lake Mendota good for panfish?
WDNR lists panfish (abundant), catfish (common), largemouth bass (common), northern pike (common), smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common) and muskellunge (present).
Which WDNR rules cover Lake Mendota?
For Walleye, sauger and hybrids, The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3.
Which Wisconsin license covers fishing Lake Mendota?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
What is the water like in Lake Mendota?
Satellite clarity about 7.3 feet (2017). Bottom: 29% sand, 29% gravel, 2% rock, 40% muck. WDNR class: complex two story. Type: drainage.
Where are minnows sold on the drive to Lake Mendota?
Drive 3 miles to reach L.L.Bean.
Which fish are stocked in Lake Mendota?
Latest on file (2024): 49,252 walleye.
Trailer up for Lake Mendota
Check the posted rules before keeping fish.