Lake Mendota

Southern Wisconsin Lakes

                (Pictured above is Madison's isthmus with Lake Monona on left side and Lake Mendota on the right)

Bordering the northern edge of downtown Madison's isthmus, the lake has become very popular all year round with anglers from across southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois especially in the winter months when Monona Bay freezes over. It is not usual to find anglers from Milwaukee and Chicago camped out by Monona Terrace's bike path.


There are several boat launches and places to rent kayaks, paddle boards and canoes around the shore. Lake Mendota is moderately clear. and has the following invasive species: Banded Mystery Snail, Curly-Leaf Pondweed, Eurasian Water-Milfoil, Spiny Waterflea, Zebra Mussel.  Always remember to clean your boat hull after exiting each lake.


Catch and release fishing on Lake Mendota for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.


Lake Mendota is popular destination for northern Illinois anglers who use boat launches at Olin-Turville Park. Olin-Turville Park is located in Lake Mendota's southern shore edges the University of Wisconsin campus and downtown Madison .The lake is equally popular in the winter as many fisherman try their patience and mettle when Monona Bay freezes over. Interested in running a marathon for fun? Following the shoreline around Lake Mendota is a little bit over 26.6 miles.



FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY: Recent sampling by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources  shows elevated PFOS in fish tissue and surface water of Lake Monona.. PFOS is one of many per- and  polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found. This chemical was used in firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, and  food wrappers. According to the DNR white bass, bluegill and crappie tend to have higher levels of PFOS.



This chemical accumulates in the body, and can cause long term health issues such as cancer.


Local Bite

Most anglers visiting Lake Mendota try their luck with a twisting jig or minnow near Yahara River entrance. Catfish, walleyes and walleye's relatives Saugers can be found in the shallows of the Monona Bay. Try for crappies and large mouths near Monona Terrace.

Events

Celebrate Our Region's Greatest Assets the Yahara Chain-of-lakes with Clear Lake Alliance's Frozen Assets 
Lake Mendota, Madison 


What makes Southern Wisconsin a vacationer's destination, year after year, season to season? Our lakes. Summertime is swimming, boating, windsurfing, volley ball, sailing, and hanging out at the beach. Winter brings the cold hardy outdoor enthusiasts, ice fisherman on Monona Bay and Lake Kegonsa, Ice boaters, fat tire bikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers and hikers with the common drive, testing their endurance and thrilling in the moment realized when standing in the middle of a lake something not achievable any other season. That spirit of living on the edge and celebrating the middle of winter is everything Clear lakes Alliance's Frozen Assets is about. Read More


Date: Saturday, February 7th - Sunday, February 8th, 2026
Time:10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Edgewater Hotel, North Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI MAP
Admission: Free and open to the public
Contact: debwhitehorse@gmail.com


Winter Carnival at the University Of Wisconsin
UW Memorial Union, Madison, WI

February 5 - 7, 2026


Come and enjoy all of the wonderful winter festivities our Hoofers students put together for us each and every season. Whether you want to cozy up inside with some crafts or come and explore a new outdoor activity there is something for everyone to enjoy! 

2026 Winter Carnival Schedule:



Thursday, February 5

Learn to Skate on Lake Mendota with RecWell • Rock 'n' Roll Decades Skate Night • Flannel Day $1 Cheese Curds • Wisconsin Singers Season 58: Star of the Show • Floor Curling with RecWell Intramurals

Friday, February 6

Pancake Breakfast • Hoofer Ambassadors Hot Chocolate Stand • Lady Liberty • Red Bull Light the Lamp • Learn to Ice Fish • Mindful Meditation & Hot Chocolate • Snow Ball with Hoofer Sailing Club • WUD Music Performance • Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games • Grounding-on-the-Go Kit Workshop

Saturday, February 7

Whitewater Kayak Ice Pulley Challenge • Ice Climbing with Hoofer Mountaineering • Disney Skate Night • Fireworks • Lady Liberty • Red Bull Light the Lamp • Snow Fort(nite) • Wisconsin Union Chili Cook-Off • Carriage Rides with Hoofer Riding Club • ALPS Secret Agent • WUD Music Performance • Winter Wonderlands with Wheelhouse Studios • High Scores, Hot Chocolate: SSX • Frosty Fun with the Wisconsin Alumni Association • Rail Jam • Maple Taffy • WUD Games Olympic Showcase

If you can't get enough of the Union after the fireworks on Lake Mendota please stick around for a Wisconsin Union Theater jazz event that is from 7:30–9:30 PM in Shannon Hall! Tickets are available at our box office before the show. 

Hear from Hoofers Student Leaders about what goes into Winter Carnival: 


Lake Mendota In Depth

Lake Info. Data
Area 3359 acres
Max. Depth 74 feet
Median Depth 24 feet
Boat Landings 4
County Dane
Fish Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Sturgeon and Catfish

Towns Nearby

MADISON


Located on the Northern shore of Lake Monona, Wisconsin's Capitol City is not just a college town, it is a progressive bastion of thought and a biotech and health technology powerhouse. There is little doubt when you visit the Badger State's 2nd largest city, located on an Isthmus, why it is often chosen as one of the top urban centers to live, from Wallet Hub to Livability.com see why so many choose Madison as great place to visit and live

MONONA


More than just the namesake for the lake bordering the town's northern and western edges Monona is growing up beyond its' simple beginnings in the 1860s. Today, the urban center is home to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, and several new developments along the Yahara river banks. Monona also is a great place for local foodies to find a diverse offering of ethnic restaurants and grocery stores.

Lakes Edition covers all of Southern Wisconsin's major attractions and lakes