Walleye Stocked · 9 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night Lake Mendota fishing
Lake Mendota fishing is stocked with Northern Pike and Walleye on a natural lake. Also recorded: Yellow Perch and Lake Sturgeon. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike and Yellow Perch and dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye.
- Last stocked
- 2024
- Walleye
- Plants on record
- 13
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 2 (+2 also recorded)
- Average size
- 6.3 in
- Surface acres
- 9,777.7
Fish at Lake Mendota
Walleye Stocked · 9 plants · last 2024 Best: dawn, dusk, night 
Northern Pike Stocked · 4 plants · last 2016 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Yellow Perch Confirmed present Best: dawn, day, dusk Best: dawn, day, dusk
Yellow Perch species guide
Lake Sturgeon Confirmed present How Lake Mendota is stocked
About 93 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
5,000
Fish stocked in 2012
83,604
Fish stocked in 2013
152,668
Fish stocked in 2014
105,251
Fish stocked in 2016
100,577
Fish stocked in 2018
99,797
Fish stocked in 2020
49,210
Fish stocked in 2022
263,546
Fish stocked in 2024
49,252
Stocking history
| Date | Species | Quantity | Avg. length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 49,252 | 7.68 in | report |
| 2022 | Walleye | 263,546 | 1.52 in | report |
| 2020 | Walleye | 49,210 | 7.55 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 96,247 | 7.13 in | report |
| 2018 | Walleye | 3,550 | 7.9 in | report |
| 2016 | Northern Pike | 2,500 | 8 in | report |
| 2016 | Walleye | 98,077 | 7 in | report |
| 2014 | Walleye | 97,751 | 7.16 in | report |
| 2014 | Northern Pike | 7,500 | 9 in | report |
| 2013 | Walleye | 152,668 | 1.65 in | report |
| 2012 | Northern Pike | 2,800 | 7.9 in | report |
| 2012 | Walleye | 80,804 | 2.4 in | report |
| 2010 | Northern Pike | 5,000 | 7.5 in | report |
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Madison, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock, cleaning station
10 public ramps around Madison, Middleton and Westport, most with boarding docks and a launch fee. Governor Nelson State Park adds 4 lanes, fish cleaning and ADA fishing piers. Public shore includes Tenney, James Madison, Burrows, Warner, Marshall, Spring Harbor and Mendota County parks.
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Advisories, closures, regulations and water conditions change. Check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before you go.
About Lake Mendota
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Lake Mendota?
Fishing Lake Mendota usually means Walleye: Walleye accounts for 9 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Northern Pike. Walleye was last stocked 2024, averaging 5.6 in. Northern Pike was last stocked 2016, averaging 8.1 in. Yellow Perch and Lake Sturgeon are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lake Mendota stocked?
Last stocked 2024. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2010. About 93 reported fish per acre, 4th most of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
How big are the fish stocked at Lake Mendota?
Stocked fish average 6.3 in. Walleye average 5.6 in. Northern Pike average 8.1 in.
How do you get on Lake Mendota?
The nearest town is Madison, WI. Facilities include restrooms, dock, and cleaning station. 10 public ramps around Madison, Middleton and Westport, most with boarding docks and a launch fee. Governor Nelson State Park adds 4 lanes, fish cleaning and ADA fishing piers. Public shore includes Tenney, James Madison, Burrows, Warner, Marshall, Spring Harbor and Mendota County parks.
Which lakes near Lake Mendota were stocked more recently?
Lake Monona (4 mi), Lake Waubesa (8.1 mi), Lake Kegonsa (12.8 mi), and Leota Lake (22.7 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Monona is also stocked with Northern Pike, Lake Waubesa is also stocked with Walleye and Northern Pike, Lake Kegonsa is also stocked with Northern Pike and Walleye, and Leota Lake is also stocked with Walleye and Northern Pike.