Muskellunge Stocked · 29 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk Lake Monona fishing
Lake Monona fishing is stocked with Muskellunge and Northern Pike on a natural lake. Also recorded: Smallmouth Bass, Lake Sturgeon, and Catfish. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2010. Species guides list dawn and dusk for Muskellunge and Smallmouth Bass and dawn, day, and dusk for Northern Pike.
- Last stocked
- 2025
- Muskellunge
- Plants on record
- 36
- Since 2010
- Species stocked
- 2 (+3 also recorded)
- Average size
- 10.2 in
- Surface acres
- 3,358
Fish at Lake Monona
Muskellunge Stocked · 29 plants · last 2025 Best: dawn, dusk 
Northern Pike Stocked · 7 plants · last 2019 Best: dawn, day, dusk 
Smallmouth Bass Confirmed present Best: dawn, dusk Best: dawn, dusk
Smallmouth Bass species guide
Lake Sturgeon Confirmed present Catfish Confirmed present
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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
How Lake Monona is stocked
About 15 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area.
Fish stocked in 2010
1,470
Fish stocked in 2011
1,971
Fish stocked in 2012
2,471
Fish stocked in 2013
3,947
Fish stocked in 2014
2,257
Fish stocked in 2015
17,522
Fish stocked in 2016
1,179
Fish stocked in 2017
4,236
Fish stocked in 2018
1,925
Fish stocked in 2019
4,462
Fish stocked in 2020
1,556
Fish stocked in 2021
2,190
Fish stocked in 2023
1,921
Fish stocked in 2024
1,687
Fish stocked in 2025
1,662
Stocking history
Access and facts
- Water type
- natural lake
- Nearest town
- Madison, WI
- Facilities
- restrooms, dock
Five city-run ramps in Madison and Monona, including Law Park, Olbrich Park, Olin-Turville Park, Tonyawatha Park and Winnequah Trail, all with ADA-accessible boarding docks and a Dane County launch fee. Shore anglers use public parks around the lake and the Schluter Beach Park fishing pier.
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 Monona
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. (en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 22, 2026)(apps.dnr.wi.gov, accessed September 22, 2026)
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
Nearest lakes
Common questions
What fish are at Lake Monona?
Fishing Lake Monona usually means Muskellunge: Muskellunge accounts for 29 of 36 plants on record, ahead of Northern Pike. Muskellunge was last stocked 2025, averaging 11.2 in. Northern Pike was last stocked 2019, averaging 6 in. Smallmouth Bass, Lake Sturgeon, and Catfish are recorded here outside the stocking reports.
When is Lake Monona stocked?
Last stocked 2025. It is stocked about 2.3 times a year since 2010. About 15 reported fish per acre, the fewest of 5 lakes in Dane County with both a fish count and a surface area. No plants recorded in 2022.
How big are the fish stocked at Lake Monona?
Stocked fish average 10.2 in. Muskellunge average 11.2 in. Northern Pike average 6 in.
How do you get on Lake Monona?
The nearest town is Madison, WI. Facilities include restrooms and dock. Five city-run ramps in Madison and Monona, including Law Park, Olbrich Park, Olin-Turville Park, Tonyawatha Park and Winnequah Trail, all with ADA-accessible boarding docks and a Dane County launch fee. Shore anglers use public parks around the lake and the Schluter Beach Park fishing pier.