Maunesha River Fishing
Dane County, Jefferson County and Dodge County.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Lake Monona: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Maunesha River in figures
WDNR assessment lines trace the Maunesha River, a river, across Dane County, Jefferson County and Dodge County. Its assessed length comes to roughly 32 miles. The nearest town is Sun Prairie, around 5 miles away.
The Maunesha River fishery
For smallmouth, the Maunesha River is classed as wadable nursery waters.
WDNR fisheries designation layers (musky, sturgeon, smallmouth bass and trout streams); not a full species survey.
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The Maunesha River has no mapped landing, so plan to walk in.
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers, USGS gauges.
Rules for the Maunesha River
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 3 in total; minimum length 15 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Northern pike (south of Hwy 10) | 2; minimum length 26 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Largemouth bass | 5; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass (Southern Bass Zone) | 5 in total with largemouth bass; minimum length 14 inches | May 2, 2026 – March 7, 2027 |
| Muskellunge | 1; minimum length 40 inches | May 2, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026 (open water only) |
| Panfish | 25 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Catfish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 10 in total; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Bullheads and rough fish | No bag limit; no minimum length | Open all year |
The Maunesha River lies south of Hwy 10, so the pike row shown follows that zone; check the county exceptions too.
2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. All Wisconsin limits.
In reach of the Maunesha River
Other Wisconsin lakes close to the Maunesha River
- Marshall Millpond6 miles
- Maunesha Flowage8 miles
- Mud Lake near Deerfield, Dane County10 miles
- Goose Lake, Columbia County12 miles
Tackle shops a short drive from the Maunesha River
- Heckel's Sun Prairie/Madison Marinamarina, Sun Prairie, 5 miles
- Walmart Sun Prairiefarm and general store with fishing gear, Sun Prairie, 6 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Sun Prairiesporting goods store, Sun Prairie, 7 miles
- Fleet Farm Deforestfarm and general store with fishing gear, Deforest, 10 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 121 E Towne Mallbait and tackle shop, Madison, 10 miles
Nearby Wisconsin towns for the Maunesha River
- Sun Prairie5 miles
- Marshall6 miles
- Windsor6 miles
- Waterloo9 miles
Wisconsin rivers around the Maunesha River
- Crawfish River12 miles
- Crawfish River, North Branch13 miles
- Six Mile Creek15 miles
- Jennings Creek17 miles
County pages for the Maunesha River
- Dane County
- Jefferson County
- Dodge County
Gear from Piscifun for the Maunesha River
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Sport fish found around Maunesha River
Photo: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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The Maunesha River, answered in a line or two
Which Wisconsin county is the Maunesha River in?
Its course crosses Dane County, Jefferson County and Dodge County.
Is the Maunesha River a classified Wisconsin trout stream?
The DNR does not class it as trout water.
How high is the Maunesha River running?
No flow station covers it.
Can I slide a canoe into the Maunesha River from a landing?
The WDNR layer holds no landing for it.
What can I keep from the Maunesha River?
It follows the statewide inland table.
Is a Wisconsin stamp needed on the Maunesha River?
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.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest the Maunesha River?
Try Heckel's Sun Prairie/Madison Marina (5 miles).
Which fish does the WDNR note in the Maunesha River?
Designations point to smallmouth bass.
Where should I stay to fish the Maunesha River?
Sun Prairie sits some 5 miles off the channel.
Plan a Wisconsin river day on the Maunesha River
Check the gauge and the WDNR rules first, then drive.