Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake

View in the App
Size
348ac
Boat Launch
No
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Cherokee Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Walleye
Walleye

Cherokee Lake Overview

Big water with deep structure. Famous for perch, crappie and white bass. Heavily stocked with walleye and northern.

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 Waterbody Regulations

  • Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the LAKE MENDOTA including LAKE MENDOTA, 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.

Special Species Regulations

  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • White perch: 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.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Bullheads: 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.
  • Rough fish: 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.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 3.

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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
2-10 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2019
May
Channel catfish
fish
23-34 in
Length Range
27 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Apr
2019
May
View in the App
Crappie
fish
7-13 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2019
May
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
9-19 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Apr
2019
May
View in the App
Northern pike
fish
14-36 in
Length Range
19 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Apr
2019
May
View in the App
Perch
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Pumpkinseed
fish
5-8 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2019
May
View in the App
Walleye
fish
8-20 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2019
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2019
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
View in the App
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
2014
Apr
2019
May
View in the App

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