Today on Mendota
· Tomorrow & the week: Lake Report or Premium →Best fishing times
All fishTimes by species available in Premium
Wind & weather
National Weather ServiceWhat Mendota is best for
DNR data
WalleyeCommon · stocked8.5
BluegillPanfish, abundant8.4
PerchPanfish, abundant8.4
CrappiePanfish, abundant8.4
LargemouthCommon6.9
SmallmouthCommon6.9
Northern pikeCommon6.9
MuskyPresent4.4How we rate
Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.
Depth map
Wisconsin DNRSheets 3 to 3
The DNR drew Mendota on 3 sheets.
Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move.
Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.
Rules on this lake
DNR · checked 2026-10-07| Walleye | 18" min · 3 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | Open |
| Musky | 40" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | Open |
| Northern pike | 40" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | Open |
| Bass | 14" min · 5 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | Open |
| Panfish | No size limit · 10 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Sturgeon | No fishing | Closed |
| Catfish | No size limit · 10 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
Launches & access
10 public- Memorial UnionDirections
- Governor Nelson State ParkDirections
- Willow Drive AccessDirections
- Tenney Park Boat RampDirections
- Middleton Boat RampDirections
- Governors IslandDirections
- Spring HarborDirections
- Mendota County Park Boat LaunchDirections
- Marshall Park Boat ParkDirections
- Warner ParkDirections
Stocking
DNR records| 2024 | 49,252 walleye large fingerling, 7.68" |
| 2022 | 263,546 walleye small fingerling, 1.52" |
| 2020 | 49,210 walleye large fingerling, 7.55" |
| 2018 | 3,550 walleye large fingerling, 7.9" 96,247 walleye large fingerling, 7.13" |
| 2016 | 98,077 walleye large fingerling, 7" 2,500 northern pike large fingerling, 8" |
The DNR has 99 fish surveys on file for this lake.
Before you go
DNRThis is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.
Eat any amount Bluegill and Sunfish, Bullheads, Crappies, Inland Trout, Yellow Perch
Up to 1 meal a week Bass, Catfish, Pike, Walleye, All Other Species and Sizes
Up to 1 meal a month Muskies
Statewide advice; no lake-specific advisory. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR detailsChinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Eurasian Water-Milfoil · Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) · Rusty Crayfish · Spiny Waterflea · Zebra Mussel
Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.Mendota board
Catches & reportsLakes near Mendota
Within 25 miles| Lake | Miles | Acres | Max depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake WingraDane | 3.6 | 345 | 21 ft |
| Lake MononaDane | 4 | 3,274 | 64 ft |
| Upper Mud LakeDane | 7 | 223 | 8 ft |
| Lake WaubesaDane | 8.1 | 2,080 | 34 ft |
| Mud LakeDane | 9.9 | 195 | 15 ft |
| Indian LakeDane | 12.1 | 66 | 6 ft |
| Lake KegonsaDane | 12.8 | 3,209 | 31 ft |
| Crystal LakeColumbia | 16.4 | 500 | 9 ft |
Mendota questions
How deep is Lake Mendota?
Lake Mendota is 83 feet at its deepest, and 42 feet deep on average. It covers 9,781 acres.
What fish are in Lake Mendota?
The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (abundant), largemouth bass (common), smallmouth bass (common), northern pike (common), walleye (common), catfish (common), musky (present) and sturgeon (present).
Where is the boat launch on Lake Mendota?
There are 10 public launches: Memorial Union, Governor Nelson State Park, Willow Drive Access, Tenney Park Boat Ramp, Middleton Boat Ramp, Governors Island, Spring Harbor, Mendota County Park Boat Launch, Marshall Park Boat Park and Warner Park.
Do I need a trout stamp to fish Lake Mendota?
A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.
What is the walleye limit on Lake Mendota?
18" min · 3 a day. Season: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027.
Is Lake Mendota stocked?
Yes. In 2024 the DNR and partners stocked 49,252 walleye (large fingerling).
Fish it longer
Today's sheet is always free. Planning ahead takes a report or Premium.Lake Sheet
- Today's best fishing times, all fish
- Wind, weather, sun and moon
- Depth map with depths labeled
- Rules, license and species ratings
- The printable two-page sheet
Lake Report
- Your trip, up to 14 days
- Pick your species
- What to use, where, when and how, every day
- Times by species on the bite clocks
Premium
- Every lake, every day: times by species
- Up to 25 full Lake Reports a season; more at $9 each or 25 for $49
- Tomorrow and the week ahead on any lake
- Stocking alerts for your lakes
Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-07.