D & S Bait, Tackle & MoreLive bait, rods, local reports
3.4 miOpen until 7 PM
Alex JohnsonDemo AnglerDashboard
/dashboardMadison, Dane County
Lake Mendota, WI
Falling pressure, steady west wind, and evening low light line up for a strong walleye window.
CatchBaitRecord Watch
Fishing Score
i84/100
ExcellentTop 18% of local forecast daysBarometric Pressure
iFalling
29.71inHg1006 hPa
Steady decline for 6 hoursWeather
i63°FFeels like 61°F
W 8 mphGusts 14 mphCloud Cover67%MoonWaning gibbousStorm Chance15%
Best Bite Windows
12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM6 PM9 PM
Morning6:00 AM - 8:30 AM86
Evening5:15 PM - 8:15 PM91
Recent Catches
| Species | Size | Weight | Location | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WalleyeSander vitreus | 23.1 in | 4.6 lb | University Bay | May 18 | Jig + minnow |
 Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu | 19.0 in | 3.2 lb | Spring Harbor | May 18 | Tube jig |
 Largemouth BassMicropterus nigricans | 16.5 in | 2.1 lb | Picnic Point | May 17 | Spinnerbait |
 Northern PikeEsox lucius | 28.0 in | 5.7 lb | Governor's Bay | May 16 | Crankbait |
Nearby Bait Shops
Pam's Bait & TackleMinnows, leeches, terminal tackle
6.1 miOpen until 6 PM
Current Regulations
i
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Waterbody
- Lake Mendota, Dane County
- Effective
- May 4, 2026 - March 7, 2027
- Last Verified
- July 20, 2026 at 6:40 PM CT
Compliance assistance only. This view summarizes mock guidance and does not replace official regulations.
Mock source: Wisconsin DNR inland fishing regulation summaryCurrent Species
WalleyeSander vitreusRock edges at dusk
High
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieuWindblown points
MediumRecord Watch
iWalleye personal best is 1.1 in short of the mock state-record alert line.
Never official until reviewed by the appropriate agency.Pattern forming around low light and falling pressure
The last four successful catches cluster near west-facing structure with cloud cover above 60%.