Lake · Madison, Dane, Wisconsin
Lake Monona at Madison
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
A condition rating is not available from the current lake evidence.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
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.
Why
- Not enough current water information is available to recommend a reliable fishing window
- Live water observations could not be retrieved at this time.
Current Readings
Key lake readings are not available right now.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Fog
Temperature
74°F
Feels like
82°F
Wind
4 mph NE
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.29 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Fog
Temp 74°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 7 AM
Overcast
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 11 AM
Overcast
Temp 75°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 3 PM
Clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 7 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 73°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 11 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 68°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Fog
High 79°F / Low 68°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 62°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 58°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 25 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Drizzle
High 85°F / Low 59°F
Chance 29%
Precip 0.02 in
Max gust 37 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 Monona.
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
Lake Monona at Madison is a Yahara chain mixed fishery. StrikeTracks keeps this existing public identity and publishes complete static fishery. USGS 05429000 reports live water temperature and stage; this repair populates those parameter codes and fishery without converting the row into ordinary inland Estimated. Distinct from Mendota. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Lake Monona muskellunge. USGS 05429000.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Monona largemouth.
Walleye
Sander vitreus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Monona walleye.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
WDNR Monona smallmouth.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Yahara chain Lake Monona at Madison, Dane County.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public landings and parks are documented by WDNR and City of Madison. Catalog coordinates are USGS 05429000.
Stocking information
WDNR manages Monona muskie and mixed species. Confirm current official stocking separately.
- Stocked
Muskellunge
Stocked · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Official sources
WDNR Yahara chain rules change. Distinct from Mendota 05428000. Confirm current WDNR regulations.
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
Madison, 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
Town
Madison
County
Dane
Management Category
Yahara chain mixed lake
Regulation Scope
Lake Monona at Madison
Regulation Summary
Lake Monona at Madison: WDNR inland lake rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Surface Area
3359 acres
Maximum Depth
74 ft
Average Depth
27 ft
Target Species
muskellunge, walleye, largemouth-bass, smallmouth-bass
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Motor Restrictions
Local slow-no-wake areas and other boating ordinances may apply; check posted signs at public landings.
Description
Lake Monona at Madison, Wisconsin. Existing public Yahara-chain lake. USGS 05429000 has live 00010 plus stage/elevation. PATH B fishery populated. Not newly admitted as Monitoring-Backed inland Estimated.
