Size
9,822ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Lake Mendota
Walleye
Northern pike
Largemouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Muskellunge
Bluegill
Crappie
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
White bass
Perch
Brown trout
Channel catfish
Rainbow trout
Yellow Bass
Overview
Big water with deep structure. Famous for perch, crappie and white bass. Heavily stocked with walleye and northern.
Lake Mendota Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Species Regulations
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
- 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.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: 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.
- Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Shovelnose Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 3.
- White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Features
Located in south-central Wisconsin, bordered by the city of Madison and several other smaller communities, Lake Mendota is situated in a very urban setting. Several parks and beaches are scattered around the lake in the midst of residential and commercial development.
Lake Mendota has been one of the most researched and surveyed lakes in the United States. The Wisconsin DNR has strictly regulated the fishery over the years due to the stocking efforts and immense popularity of the lake. As a result, several species like northern pike, walleye, and largemouth bass have special regulations compared to most Wisconsin lakes. Check the Wisconsin DNR fishing regulations manual for current restrictions.
The lake is heavily used for many recreational activities including: fishing, boating, and swimming. Lake Mendota has several excellent locations for shore fishing. Due to the urbanized setting, the lake is at high risk for harmful contaminants as a result of runoff. The state has issued a consumption advisory for larger game species, like walleye and northern pike.
As a very large, open body of water, heavy winds and heavy recreational use can create large unpredictable waves on the lake. Take caution when operating smaller watercraft on the lake.
Forage
Northern brook silverside, golden shiner, and emerald shiner comprise a large portion of the forage base. Perch, crappie, and other juvenile panfish are forage for large game species. Large game fish may also prey on cisco, when cisco are abundant.
Seasonal Movements
Several species migrate up the Yahara River inlet to spawn, including: walleye, crappie, northern pike and white bass. Northern pike and a few walleye migrate up Sixmile Creek to spawn in spring. Walleye are known to migrate to Tenney Park Dam, and the south shoreline along UW-Madison campus.
Weather
63°Feels like 63°
68°
57°
68°57°7:04 AM
6:25 PM
7 mph
Southeast
0 in
Rain
30.12 inHg
Stable
FridayFr
68° / 57°
SaturdaySa
81° / 56°
SundaySu
76° / 58°
MondayMo
78° / 56°
TuesdayTu
68° / 48°
WednesdayWe
66° / 54°
Moon Phase
October 09, 2026
1% Illumination
waning crescent, getting dimmer
FridayFr10/09
SaturdaySa10/10
SundaySu10/11
MondayMo10/12
TuesdayTu10/13
WednesdayWe10/14
ThursdayTh10/15
Get Your Line in the Right Water
Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.
Top Fish Species
Walleye
8-23 in
Length Range
15 in
Length Range
2025
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
