Madison Lakes fishing license guide: Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa, Wingra and the Yahara Chain
Fishing around Madison is easy to start, but the rules are lake-specific. Lake Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra all need the right Wisconsin license, proof, boat access plan, species rule and safety check before you keep fish.
Quick answer: what license do you need for Madison lakes?
Most anglers age 16 or older need a valid Wisconsin fishing license to fish Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Waubesa, Lake Kegonsa, Lake Wingra, Cherokee Marsh waters, the Yahara River and nearby Dane County waters. Children under 16 do not need a license, but they still must follow bag, length and season rules.
Madison’s major lakes are inland waters, so normal Wisconsin inland-water proof options can apply. You should still carry reliable proof on your phone or paper, check the exact lake rule before keeping fish, and look at beach/water-quality conditions during warm months.
What this guide covers
Madison Lakes fishing license checker
Use this before buying a license or deciding whether you need trout stamps, Great Lakes stamps or special proof.
Wisconsin fishing license costs for Madison lakes
Madison lakes are inland waters, so most anglers need a regular Wisconsin fishing license. You do not need a Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp for ordinary fishing on Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa or Wingra.
| License type | Price listed by DNR | Best for | Madison tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident annual fishing | $20 | Wisconsin adults who fish more than one or two days. | Best value for Madison residents and UW-area anglers who fish often. |
| Resident first-time buyer | $5 | Eligible first-time or welcome-back resident anglers. | Good for new Madison anglers trying panfish, bass or shore fishing. |
| Resident 1-day | $8 | A one-day lake trip. | Can be used toward annual upgrade for the listed upgrade amount. |
| Resident junior 16/17 | $7 | Wisconsin resident teens age 16 or 17. | Kids under 16 are different; they do not need a license. |
| Resident senior 65+ | $7 | Wisconsin resident seniors. | Carry proof even for short shore trips. |
| Nonresident annual | $55 | Visitors fishing Wisconsin several times. | Useful if staying in Madison for school, work or a long visit but not a resident. |
| Nonresident 1-day | $15 | One-day visitor trip. | Good for family visiting Madison for a weekend. |
| Nonresident 4-day / 15-day | $29 / $33 | Short vacations or repeat days. | Choose by trip length if fishing multiple Madison lakes. |
License proof on Madison lakes
Because these Madison waters are inland lakes, DNR’s inland-water proof options are more flexible than Lake Michigan, Mississippi River or other boundary/outlying waters.
| Proof method | Madison inland-lake use | Practical advice |
|---|---|---|
| Original paper license | Accepted | Safest option if your phone battery dies. |
| Hard-copy reprint | Accepted | Use Go Wild, DNR Service Center or license agent if you lose the original. |
| DNR-generated PDF on phone | Accepted for listed inland-water fishing licenses/stamps | Download it before going to a park, pier or boat launch. |
| Authenticated Wisconsin driver license | Accepted for listed inland-water fishing licenses/stamps | Useful for Wisconsin residents whose account is authenticated. |
| Conservation Card | Accepted for listed inland-water fishing licenses/stamps | Optional card; not a same-day fix because delivery takes time. |
Madison lakes overview: Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra
| Lake | DNR size/depth | Access listed | Fish listed by DNR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Mendota | 9,781 acres; maximum depth 83 feet | 10 boat landings, 11 public lands/parks within 1000 feet, 7 beaches | Panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, catfish, musky and sturgeon. |
| Lake Monona | 3,359 acres; maximum depth 74 feet | 5 boat landings, 18 public lands/parks within 1000 feet, 7 beaches | Musky, panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye, sturgeon and catfish. |
| Lake Waubesa | 2,074 acres; maximum depth 38 feet | 4 boat landings, 11 public lands/parks, 1 beach | Musky, panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye and catfish. |
| Lake Kegonsa | 3,200 acres; maximum depth 32 feet | 4 boat landings, 4 public lands/parks, 1 beach | Musky, panfish, bass, northern pike, walleye and catfish. |
| Lake Wingra | 336 acres; maximum depth 14 feet | 1 boat landing, 4 public lands/parks, 1 beach | Musky, panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye. |
Madison lake-by-lake regulation highlights for 2026-2027
These are high-value highlights from the DNR lake regulation pages. Always use the official lake regulation search as the final legal check before keeping fish.
| Lake | Walleye / sauger | Musky | Pike | Panfish | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendota | May 2, 2026-Mar. 7, 2027; 18-inch minimum; daily bag 3 | May 2-Dec. 31 open water; 40-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | 40-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | Daily bag 10 | 14-inch minimum; daily bag 5 during harvest season |
| Monona | 15-inch minimum; daily bag 3 | 50-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | 26-inch minimum; daily bag 2 | Daily bag 25 | 14-inch minimum; daily bag 5 during harvest season |
| Waubesa | 15-inch minimum; daily bag 3 | 50-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | 26-inch minimum; daily bag 2 | Daily bag 25 | 14-inch minimum; daily bag 5 during harvest season |
| Kegonsa | 15-inch minimum; daily bag 3 | 40-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | 26-inch minimum; daily bag 2 | Daily bag 25 | 14-inch minimum; daily bag 5 during harvest season |
| Wingra | 15-inch minimum; daily bag 3 | 50-inch minimum; daily bag 1 | 26-inch minimum; daily bag 2 | Daily bag 25 | 18-inch minimum; daily bag 1 during harvest season |
Lake Mendota fishing license and rule tips
Regular Wisconsin fishing license. No Great Lakes stamp for normal Mendota fishing.
Walleye 18-inch minimum, pike 40-inch minimum and panfish bag 10 are major Mendota-specific checks.
Mendota has more boat landings and beaches listed by DNR than other major Madison lakes.
DNR says to check boating ordinance signs at public landings because local rules can be more restrictive than state law.
Lake Monona fishing license and rule tips
Lake Monona is a strong urban fishing lake because it sits directly beside downtown Madison and has multiple parks, beaches, public land connections and boat landings.
| Rule item | Lake Monona highlight | Angler tip |
|---|---|---|
| Musky | 50-inch minimum; daily bag 1. | Plan catch-and-release unless you are fully prepared to measure a legal fish. |
| Walleye | 15-inch minimum; daily bag 3. | Confirm date and current regulation before keeping fish. |
| Panfish | No minimum length; daily bag 25. | Still check fish consumption advice if keeping fish for meals. |
| Urban shore fishing | Monona has many public lands and parks near the water. | Arrive early for parking near popular shore spots and piers. |
Lake Waubesa and Lake Kegonsa: south-chain license tips
Waubesa and Kegonsa are both Dane County drainage lakes on the Yahara Chain. They are popular for boat anglers, panfish, bass, walleye, pike and musky, but they are not identical.
| Lake | Best planning angle | Rule trap | Access note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waubesa | Good south-chain lake for bass, panfish, pike, walleye and musky. | Musky minimum is 50 inches, not 40. | DNR lists 4 boat landings and 11 public lands/parks within 1000 feet. |
| Kegonsa | Popular lower Yahara lake with a state park and boat access. | Musky minimum is 40 inches here, unlike Waubesa and Monona. | DNR lists 4 boat landings, 4 public lands/parks and local boating ordinance notes. |
Lake Wingra: small lake, special rule attention
Lake Wingra is much smaller and shallower than Mendota or Monona, but that does not mean simple rules. DNR lists musky as common, and the bass regulation is stricter than the other Madison lakes in this guide.
336 acres, maximum depth 14 feet, one boat landing, one public beach and four public lands/parks within 1000 feet.
DNR lists largemouth/smallmouth bass at 18-inch minimum and daily bag 1 during harvest season.
Musky and hybrids list 50-inch minimum and daily bag 1.
DNR facts note motorboat prohibition and mooring ordinance details. Check posted signs and local rules.
Boat and shore access around Madison lakes
Wisconsin’s Public Trust Doctrine means navigable waters are public, but you still need public access or landowner permission to reach the water. In Madison, the best practical access plan is to match your lake with a boat landing, beach, park, pier or public shoreline.
| Access type | Where it helps | Before-you-go check |
|---|---|---|
| Boat landing | Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa boat trips. | Launch fees, parking, ramp condition, no-wake areas and local ordinance signs. |
| Shore / pier | Beginners, students, kids and quick evening trips. | Park hours, water quality, crowding, casting room and posted closures. |
| Kayak / canoe | Wingra, Monona bays, Waubesa shoreline and quieter areas. | Wind, boat traffic, life jacket, launch access and water temperature. |
| Ice fishing | Winter panfish, pike, walleye and lake-specific opportunities. | Local ice reports, pressure cracks, current areas, aerators and changing weather. |
Madison lakes safety: algae, beach status and fish consumption
Madison and Dane County test beaches from Memorial Day to Labor Day for E. coli bacteria and blue-green algae toxins. Public Health Madison & Dane County warns that conditions can change quickly, and a test result may not reflect current water quality.
Avoid water that looks blue-green, green, reddish-purple, brown, murky, scummy or paint-like.
Avoid swimming after heavy rain because bacteria levels can be high. Shore anglers should still avoid contact with questionable water.
Do not let pets swim in or drink bloom water. Wash pets with clean water if they contact suspicious water.
DNR recommends checking fish-consumption advice by water and species because mercury, PCBs and PFAS can matter.
Common Madison Lakes fishing license mistakes
Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra have different walleye, panfish, pike, bass and musky rules.
Kids under 16 are license-free, but 16- and 17-year-olds generally need a license.
Mendota lists panfish daily bag 10, while several other Madison lakes list 25.
Monona, Waubesa and Wingra list 50-inch musky minimum; Mendota and Kegonsa list 40-inch minimum.
DNR says posted landing signs are the sure way to know current local boating restrictions.
Algae and bacteria conditions can change quickly, especially after rain and during warm weather.
Final Madison Lakes fishing checklist
- Confirm which lake you are fishing: Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa, Wingra or another Dane County water.
- Buy the correct Wisconsin fishing license if age 16 or older.
- Carry proof: paper, reprint, DNR PDF, Conservation Card or authenticated Wisconsin driver license where valid.
- Search the exact lake in the DNR lake regulation tool.
- Check species row before keeping walleye, bass, musky, pike or panfish.
- Remember Mendota has an 18-inch walleye minimum and panfish bag 10.
- Remember Wingra has stricter bass harvest: 18-inch minimum and daily bag 1.
- Check local boating ordinance signs at public landings.
- Check beach/water quality before wading, letting kids play or bringing pets near the water.
- Check DNR fish-consumption advice before eating fish regularly.
- Clean, drain and dry boats, trailers, kayaks and gear before moving between lakes.
Madison lakes fishing map
This map is for broad orientation only. Use official DNR lake pages, lake regulation search, boat access maps, local park pages and posted signs for final trip planning.
Official action links
The practical Madison details are included above so this page does not behave like a middleman. Use these official links only for final license purchase, exact lake rules, proof, access and safety confirmation.
Madison Lakes fishing license FAQs
Do I need a Wisconsin fishing license for Lake Mendota?
Yes. Most anglers age 16 or older need a Wisconsin fishing license to fish Lake Mendota unless a specific exemption applies.
Do I need a separate license for Lake Monona?
No. A valid Wisconsin fishing license covers ordinary hook-and-line fishing on Lake Monona, but you must follow Lake Monona’s own species regulations.
Do kids need a license on Madison lakes?
Children under 16 do not need a Wisconsin fishing license, but they still have their own bag limits and must follow all fishing regulations.
How much is a resident Wisconsin fishing license for Madison lakes?
Wisconsin DNR lists resident annual fishing at $20, resident first-time buyer at $5 and resident 1-day fishing at $8.
How much is a nonresident Wisconsin fishing license?
Wisconsin DNR lists nonresident annual fishing at $55, 1-day at $15, 4-day at $29 and 15-day at $33.
Do I need an Inland Trout Stamp for Madison lakes?
Not for ordinary fishing on Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa or Wingra. You need an Inland Trout Stamp only when fishing waters and situations where Wisconsin trout rules require it.
Do I need a Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp in Madison?
No for ordinary Madison inland-lake fishing. The Great Lake Salmon/Trout Stamp is for Great Lakes salmon/trout situations, not regular fishing on the Yahara Chain lakes.
Can I show my Wisconsin fishing license on my phone on Madison lakes?
For inland waters that are not boundary or outlying waters, DNR lists digital PDF proof as an accepted option for fishing licenses and stamps. Download it before your trip.
What is the Lake Mendota walleye rule?
DNR’s Lake Mendota page lists walleye, sauger and hybrids from May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 with an 18-inch minimum length and daily bag limit of 3.
What is the Lake Monona musky rule?
DNR’s Lake Monona page lists muskellunge and hybrids from May 2, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2026 on open water with a 50-inch minimum and daily bag limit of 1.
Is Lake Wingra good for beginners?
Lake Wingra is smaller and has public access, but beginners should still check local boating restrictions, bass rules, musky rules and water-quality conditions before fishing.
Can I keep lake sturgeon from Madison lakes?
No. The DNR lake regulation pages for Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra list lake sturgeon as closed or no fishing allowed.
Can I motor troll on Madison lakes?
DNR lake regulation pages for the major Madison lakes listed here state motor trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits or lures per angler. Always check the exact lake page before fishing.
Should I check algae before fishing in Madison?
Yes. Public Health Madison & Dane County says conditions can change quickly and advises avoiding contact with blue-green algae blooms, especially when water looks murky or scummy.
Where do I check Madison lake regulations?
Use the Wisconsin DNR inland lake regulation search and search by lake name or Dane County. Check the exact species row before keeping fish.
Is this website the official Wisconsin DNR website?
No. This is an independent educational guide. Use Wisconsin DNR, Go Wild and Public Health Madison & Dane County for final license, regulation, proof, access and safety confirmation.
Editorial verification
This page was reviewed against official Wisconsin DNR, Go Wild and Public Health Madison & Dane County resources on July 16, 2026. The review included Wisconsin fishing license fees, Go Wild proof rules, DNR lake pages for Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa and Wingra, DNR lake regulation pages, boat and shore access guidance, fish consumption guidance and Madison/Dane beach water-quality guidance.
Disclaimer: WisconsinFishingLicense.website is an independent educational website. It is not the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Go Wild, Wisconsin.gov, Dane County, Public Health Madison & Dane County or a government agency. Always verify final license needs, lake rules, boating ordinances, water quality, fish consumption advice, access conditions and legal requirements through official sources before fishing Madison lakes.