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Lake Monona

Lake fishing  Wisconsin · 06:37 - 19:08

Lake Monona is a lake in Wisconsin. The main target species are White Bass, Bluegill and Muskellunge.

Prime 67% The bite right now
Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
86%
67°
Best day
Thu
85%
72°
Fri
81%
69°
Sat
84%
69°
Sun
84%
62°
Mon
86%
64°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Overcast
Water temp (est.)
70°F
Air temp
72°F
Wind
10 mph
Pressure
30.0 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
98.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:52–07:52 Day 07:52–17:53 Dusk 17:53–19:53

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 14% lit
Major period 15:07–17:07 Major period 03:07–05:07 Minor period 10:43–12:13 Minor period 20:02–21:32

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

13:00
72°
14:00
73°
15:00
74°
16:00
75°
17:00
75°
18:00
72°
19:00
68°
20:00
67°
21:00
65°
22:00
64°
23:00
63°
00:00
62°

Likely catch now (17 species)

White Bass
Morone chrysops
67%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees.
Tap for details
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
59%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
57%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
57%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Northern Pike
Esox lucius
47%
Peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike.

White Bass is generally most active around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse and red for white bass.
Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Lake Monona is a freshwater drainage lake in Dane County, Wisconsin, surrounded on three sides by the city of Madison, Wisconsin, and on the south east side by the city of Monona, Wisconsin. It is the second-largest of a chain of four lakes along the Yahara River in the area and forms the south shore of the isthmus that forms downtown Madison. The name 'Monona' is a word believed to mean 'beautiful', although the lake was originally named by the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) 'Tchee-ho-bo-kee-xa-te-la' or 'Teepee Lake'.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Monona?

Anglers here regularly land White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Monona?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Monona?

White Bass is generally most active around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Monona right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 18%.