Fishing near Madison, Wisconsin
Dane County, population 269,840.
- 1 mileto nearest lake
- 10landings nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Lake Mendota: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Lakes and rivers close to Madison
The 2020 Census counted 269,840 people in Madison, a city in Dane County. The lake page nearest the town is Lake Mendota, roughly 1 mile northeast. Willow Drive Boat Launch offers the nearest launch with a page (under a mile).
For walleye, 3 nearby lakes rate common or better, the closest being Lake Mendota. About 7 miles separate town from the Badger Mill Creek, the closest trout stream page. For shore fishing, Governor Nelson State Park Fishing Pier is 3 miles away.
For the walleye herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Lake days from a base in Madison
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | DNR lake class | Top fish (WDNR rating) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mendota | 1 mile northeast | 9,781 | 83 | 12 | complex two story | panfish (abundant) |
| Lake Wingra | 2 miles south | 336 | 14 | 1 | complex warm dark | panfish (abundant) |
| Lake Monona | 4 miles east | 3,359 | 74 | 5 | complex two story | panfish (abundant) |
| Upper Mud Lake | 7 miles southeast | 218 | 8 | 0 | complex riverine | largemouth bass (abundant) |
| Lake Waubesa | 8 miles southeast | 2,074 | 38 | 4 | complex warm dark | largemouth bass (abundant) |
| Mud Lake near McFarland, Dane County | 9 miles southeast | 185 | 15 | 0 | complex riverine | largemouth bass (common) |
Rivers around Madison
- Murphy (Wingra) Creek3 miles
- Pheasant Branch6 miles
- Swan Creek, Dane County7 miles
- Six Mile Creek7 miles
- Badger Mill Creek7 miles, 5 trout miles
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Madison; WDNR Find a Lake and lake classification data.
Map of water near Madison
- Willow Drive Boat LaunchLake Mendota, under a mile
- Lake Street Boat RampLake Mendota, 2 miles
- Spring Harbor Park Boat RampLake Mendota, 2 miles
- Vilas Park Boat LaunchLake Wingra, 2 miles
- Mendota County Park Boat LaunchLake Mendota, 2 miles
- Marshall Park Boat RampLake Mendota, 3 miles
- Law Park Boat LandingLake Monona, 3 miles
- Middleton Boat RampLake Mendota, 3 miles
- Governor Nelson State Park Boat LandingLake Mendota, 3 miles
- Tenney Park Boat RampLake Mendota, 3 miles
Shore fishing spots near Madison
- Governor Nelson State Park Fishing PierLake Mendota, 3 miles
- Schluter Beach Park Fishing PierLake Monona, 5 miles
- Lake Kegonsa Fishing PiersLake Kegonsa, 13 miles
- Salmo PondSalmo Pond, 13 miles
River flow close to Madison
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Wingra Outlet At Madison, Wi | 0.66 ft gage height | Oct 22 5:17 am |
| Yahara River At East Main Street At Madison, Wi | 227 cfs, 5.26 ft gage height | Oct 22 5:00 am |
| Dorn (spring) Creek At Ct Highway M Nr Waunakee,wi | 4 cfs, 10.37 ft gage height | Oct 22 5:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 5:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Local help for anglers in Madison
Tackle shops a short drive from Madison
- L.L.Bean, 434 N Midvale Blvdbait and tackle shop, Madison, 2 miles
- Sierra, 676 S Whitney Waybait and tackle shop, Madison, 3 miles
- Dorn Outdoorssporting goods store, Madison, 4 miles
- Mazanet Marinamarina, Madison, 4 miles
- D & S Bait Tackle & Fly Shopbait and tackle shop, Madison, 4 miles
- Tech & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Madison, 5 miles
- Walmart Madison, 7202 Watts Rdfarm and general store with fishing gear, Madison, 5 miles
- Walmart Mononafarm and general store with fishing gear, Monona, 5 miles
Booking a guide for Madison
- Roundabout Madison Mobile Tours & Charterscharter, Madison, (608) 561-2616
- Hook 'N 'Eyes' Guide Servicefishing guide, Madison chain, Madison, (608) 575-8597
Tournament permits around Madison
| Date | Event | Water | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-10 | Midwest College Shootout | Madison Chain of Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-09-20 | Second City Bass Anglers Club Tournament | Madison Chain of Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-09-19 | Anglers Choice Southeast Wisconsin | Madison Chain of Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-09-19 | Second City Bass Anglers Club Tournament | Madison Chain of Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-09-13 | Wisconsin Elite Series | Madison Chain of Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-08-29 | Cheese County Bass Club Buddy | Madison Chain of Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-08-22 | West Suburban Bass Anglers | Madison Chain of Lakes | Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass |
| 2026-08-19 | Madison Bass Club Wednesday Night Series | Madison Chain of Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-08-12 | Madison Bass Club Wednesday Night Series | Madison Chain of Lakes | Basses |
| 2026-08-09 | Madison Bass Club Classic Open | Madison Chain of Lakes | Basses |
WDNR Calendar of Permitted Tournaments for Dane County, checked October 2026.
Big fish on the record list near Madison
| Species | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bass, Yellow | 2 lbs. 13.8 oz. | Lake Mendota | 2025 |
| Shiner, Golden | 0 lbs. 9.1 oz. | Lake Mendota | 2021 |
| Catfish, Channel | Lake Mendota | 2023 | |
| Sunfish, Green | Lake Mendota | 2020 | |
| Bass, White | 1 lb. 9.8 oz. | Lake Mendota | 2022 |
| Catfish, Channel | 25 lbs. 12 oz. | Lake Mendota | 2023 |
Bag limits around Madison
| 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 |
2026-2027 Wisconsin Hook and Line guide; pike row for the Southern Zone (south of US Highway 10) by the town position. Each lake page shows that lake rule.
In reach of Madison
Nearby Wisconsin towns for Madison
- Shorewood Hills1 mile
- Maple Bluff4 miles
- Middleton4 miles
- Monona5 miles
- Waunakee7 miles
County pages for Madison
- Dane Countyseat: Madison
Gear from Piscifun for Madison
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Shoreline scenes a drive from Madison
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Heidi Meudt, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Axhi12, CC BY-SA 3.0
Madison area fishing, answered
Is there a lake right by Madison?
Lake Mendota, 1 mile northeast.
Where is the nearest boat landing to Madison?
Closest: Willow Drive Boat Launch, under a mile.
Is there a WDNR fishing pier near Madison?
Governor Nelson State Park Fishing Pier at about 3 miles.
Can I buy minnows near Madison?
Start at L.L.Bean, 2 miles out.
Which nearby lake does the WDNR rate for walleye near Madison?
Head 1 mile to Lake Mendota, walleye rated common.
In which county does Madison lie?
Dane County.
Are there trout creeks near Madison?
Try the Badger Mill Creek (7 miles); it holds 5 trout miles.
How many northern pike can I keep near Madison?
Madison lies in the Southern Zone (south of US Highway 10); check each lake page for exceptions.
Can a visitor to Madison buy a short Wisconsin license?
One day costs a nonresident $15; four days $29; fifteen days $33.
Plan a lake day starting in Madison
Open a landing for lanes, parking and directions.