Today on Monona
· Tomorrow & the week: Lake Report or Premium →Best fishing times
All fishTimes by species available in Premium
Wind & weather
National Weather ServiceWhat Monona is best for
DNR data
BluegillPanfish, abundant8.4
PerchPanfish, abundant8.4
CrappiePanfish, abundant8.4
WalleyeCommon7.5
LargemouthCommon6.9
Northern pikeCommon6.9
MuskyPresent · stocked5.4
SmallmouthPresent4.4How 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 DNRTap 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 | 15" min · 3 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | Open |
| Musky | 50" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | Open |
| Northern pike | 26" min · 2 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 · 25 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
| Sturgeon | No fishing | Closed |
| Catfish | No size limit · 10 a dayOpen All Year | Open |
Launches & access
5 public- Access - Nr Winnequah TrlDirections
- Tonyawatha Park Boat RampDirections
- Olin Park AccessDirections
- Olbrich Park AccessDirections
- Access - Off Willy/Blair StDirections
Stocking
DNR records| 2025 | 1,177 muskellunge large fingerling, 12" 485 muskellunge large fingerling, 11" |
| 2024 | 1,687 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.74" |
| 2023 | 500 muskellunge large fingerling, 9.6" 900 muskellunge large fingerling, 11" 521 muskellunge yearling, 12.7" |
| 2021 | 511 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.2" 1,679 muskellunge large fingerling, 12" |
| 2020 | 778 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.8" 778 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.8" |
The DNR has 77 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 Bullheads, Inland Trout
Up to 1 meal a week All Other Species And Sizes, Bluegill, Catfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch
Up to 1 meal a month Carp, Crappies, Largemouth Bass, Muskies, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Bass
Advice for this water. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR detailsBanded Mystery Snail · Chinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Eurasian Water-Milfoil · Spiny Waterflea · Zebra Mussel
Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.Ice on Monona
Reports & estimateReviews
No reviews yetNear Monona
Local dealsLocal bait shops, resorts and supper clubs can put a coupon here and on the printed sheet, free for a year. Add your business
Monona board
Catches & reportsLakes near Monona
Within 25 miles| Lake | Miles | Acres | Max depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mud LakeDane | 2.9 | 223 | 8 ft |
| Lake WingraDane | 3.3 | 345 | 21 ft |
| Lake MendotaDane | 4 | 9,842 | 82 ft |
| Lake WaubesaDane | 4.3 | 2,080 | 34 ft |
| Mud LakeDane | 5.9 | 195 | 15 ft |
| Lake KegonsaDane | 8.9 | 3,209 | 31 ft |
| Stoughton Millpond 429Dane | 12.7 | 82 | 5 ft |
| Indian LakeDane | 16.1 | 66 | 6 ft |
Monona questions
How deep is Lake Monona?
Lake Monona is 74 feet at its deepest, and 27 feet deep on average. It covers 3,359 acres.
What fish are in Lake Monona?
The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (abundant), largemouth bass (common), northern pike (common), walleye (common), musky (present), smallmouth bass (present), sturgeon (present) and catfish (present).
Where is the boat launch on Lake Monona?
There are 5 public launches: Access - Nr Winnequah Trl, Tonyawatha Park Boat Ramp, Olin Park Access, Olbrich Park Access and Access - Off Willy/Blair St.
Do I need a trout stamp to fish Lake Monona?
A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.
What is the walleye limit on Lake Monona?
15" min · 3 a day. Season: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027.
Is Lake Monona stocked?
Yes. In 2025 the DNR and partners stocked 1,177 muskellunge (large fingerling) and 485 muskellunge (large fingerling).
Fish it longer
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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.