Lake · Dane, Wisconsin
Lake Mendota at Madison
Location Snapshot
Lake Mendota at Madison is a large Wisconsin lake with a diverse coolwater and warmwater fishery. Muskellunge, walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch are prominent cataloged targets.
Current Lake Rating
Point-in-time lake rating — separate from the trip recommendation below.
Fair
This condition rating is estimated because current on-water monitoring is not available.
Estimated Conditions
Estimated from available current readings, weather, seasonal patterns, destination characteristics, and historical conditions. Some important on-water measurements may be unavailable.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Consider
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Recommendation confidence: Low
Why
- Current water-level and water-temperature observations are not available.
- StrikeTracks is showing a provisional Estimated Conditions rating from accepted secondary evidence.
Current Readings
- Water level
- 849.80 ft
- Change over 24 hours
- -0.02 ft
- Trend
- Falling
- Last updated
- 40 min ago
Source: USGS · LAKE MENDOTA AT MADISON, WI · 05428000 · Elevation, lake/res, NAVD88
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
39°F
Feels like
34°F
Wind
3 mph E
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 4:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 37°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 11 AM
Partly cloudy
Temp 52°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 3 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 65°F / Low 37°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Clear
High 69°F / Low 41°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 51°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Lake Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Lake Mendota.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Muskellunge are primary and stocked in Lake Mendota at Madison. Smallmouth bass are common and wild, and walleye are common. Yellow perch are present and wild.
Target species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Muskellunge are stocked in Lake Mendota at Madison.
- Stocked
Muskellunge
Stocked · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Dane, Wisconsin
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Dane
Management Category
Yahara chain mixed lake
Regulation Scope
Lake Mendota at Madison.
Regulation Summary
Lake Mendota at Madison: WDNR inland lake rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
muskellunge, walleye, smallmouth-bass, yellow-perch
Public Access
Public