The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Lake Mendota
Dane County, Wisconsin · 9,740 acres (15.2 sq mi)
54°F water, level 850 ft, windy Friday (15 mph N).
About Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota spreads over 9,740 acres in Dane County, Wisconsin. Lake Mendota is the largest of Madison's four connected Yahara lakes and one of the most-studied lakes in the world.
From end to end it runs about 7 miles with roughly 29 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 850 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 83 ft, with an average depth near 42 ft. Maple Bluff is on the shore.
- Size
- 9,740 acres (15.2 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 83 ft (average 42 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 29 miles
- End to end
- About 7 miles
- Elevation
- About 850 ft
- Type
- Natural lake
- County
- Dane County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 0 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota holds northern pike, white bass, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie. With the surface at 54°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- FairWhite bass
Schooled on deeper humps. A slow spoon works.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairSmallmouth bass
Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
7-day trend: not enough daily readings yet.
Latest reading .
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:48 am · sunset 4:35 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Lake Mendota
- Maple Bluffon the shore
- Madisonon the shore
- Shorewood Hillson the shore
- Middletonabout 1.1 mi southwest
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Questions about Lake Mendota
What fish are in Lake Mendota?
Lake Mendota holds northern pike, white bass, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and muskie. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Lake Mendota?
About 83 ft at the deepest point, about 42 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Lake Mendota?
9,740 acres, with about 29 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Lake Mendota?
Maple Bluff is on the shore.
What is the water temperature at Lake Mendota today?
The surface was about 54°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Lake Mendota on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
