Lake Monona

Lake Monona fishing

Fishing at Lake Monona is on a natural lake, stocked with Muskellunge and Northern Pike. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2010, most often in January. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.

Last stocked

January 1, 2025

Plants on record

36

Since 2010

Species recorded

2

Average size

10.2 in

Surface acres

3,358

Access and facts

Water type
natural lake
Nearest town
Madison, WI
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, dock

Lake Monona has 5 city-run ramps in Madison and Monona, all with ADA-accessible boarding docks; Dane County's daily ($8) and annual launch fees apply, and Olin-Turville Park adds flush restrooms.

Sources: water_type , access.boat_ramp , access.ada , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , fishing_notes , watch_outs , watch_outs

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How Lake Monona is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the first week of January. In 2025 it was January 1, 2025, about when it usually is.

No plants recorded in 2022.

About 15 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area.

Fish at Lake Monona

Fishing Lake Monona is most likely to be for Muskellunge. Muskellunge accounts for 29 of 36 plants on record, ahead of Northern Pike.

Muskellunge 29 plants
Plants
29 of 36
Last stocked
January 1, 2025
Average length
11.2 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Muskellunge guide.

Northern Pike 7 plants
Plants
7 of 36
Last stocked
January 1, 2019
Average length
6 in

Seasons and rigs are on the Northern Pike guide.

Fishing Lake Monona

Lake Monona is home to many species of fish, including many panfish, and is a popular lake for fishing. Sport fish species found here include bluegill, lake sturgeon, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskellunge (muskie), northern pike, and walleye. Additionally, anglers can find Catfish in Lake Monona.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , apps.dnr.wi.gov

What to watch for

Lake Monona is typically frozen for 107 days a year, give or take 10 days depending on the season. Anglers should be aware of several invasive species present, including Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Spiny Waterflea, and Zebra Mussels.

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,4702010
  • 1,9712011
  • 2,4712012
  • 3,9472013
  • 2,2572014
  • 17,5222015
  • 1,1792016
  • 4,2362017
  • 1,9252018
  • 4,4622019
  • 1,5562020
  • 2,1902021
  • 1,9212023
  • 1,6872024
  • 1,6622025

Stocking history

Showing 15 of 36 plants Showing 36 plants

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
January 1, 2025 Muskellunge 485 11 in report
January 1, 2025 Muskellunge 1,177 12 in report
January 1, 2024 Muskellunge 1,687 11.74 in report
January 1, 2023 Muskellunge 521 12.7 in report
January 1, 2023 Muskellunge 900 11 in report
January 1, 2023 Muskellunge 500 9.6 in report
January 1, 2021 Muskellunge 1,679 12 in report
January 1, 2021 Muskellunge 511 11.2 in report
January 1, 2020 Muskellunge 778 11.8 in report
January 1, 2020 Muskellunge 778 11.8 in report
January 1, 2019 Muskellunge 1,137 11.58 in report
January 1, 2019 Muskellunge 253 9.9 in report
January 1, 2019 Northern Pike 2,750 7.9 in report
January 1, 2019 Northern Pike 322 2.4 in report
January 1, 2018 Muskellunge 504 10.1 in report
January 1, 2018 Muskellunge 1,137 12.1 in report
January 1, 2018 Northern Pike 284 4 in report
January 1, 2017 Northern Pike 2,249 8.4 in report
January 1, 2017 Muskellunge 1,600 10.8 in report
January 1, 2017 Muskellunge 387 10.5 in report
January 1, 2016 Muskellunge 1,179 10.88 in report
January 1, 2015 Northern Pike 13,600 3.1 in report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 504 11.6 in report
January 1, 2015 Northern Pike 2,077 8.3 in report
January 1, 2015 Muskellunge 1,341 12 in report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 287 9.6 in report
January 1, 2014 Muskellunge 1,970 10.7 in report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 1,462 9.7 in report
January 1, 2013 Muskellunge 503 8.4 in report
January 1, 2013 Northern Pike 1,982 7.6 in report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 1,970 13.5 in report
January 1, 2012 Muskellunge 501 10.5 in report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 507 9.5 in report
January 1, 2011 Muskellunge 1,464 11.6 in report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 603 12.9 in report
January 1, 2010 Muskellunge 867 13.1 in report
Show 21 more plants Show less

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

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