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Lake Mendota
Mon Sep 21 – Thu Sep 24, 2026 · Bank / Kayak / Boat · Primary: Largemouth bass
Madison flagship — bass primary.
Midweek outlook
Times in this Cast are Central Time (CT).
Mon 09-21
62°/51°Overcast
Wind to 14 mph · precip 9%
Tue 09-22
63°/48°Overcast
Wind to 13 mph · precip 7%
Wed 09-23
67°/45°Overcast
Wind to 12 mph · precip 0%
Thu 09-24
67°/49°Overcast
Wind to 9 mph · precip 2%
Dam / level / current cheat sheet
Yahara chain — no generation.
How to fish it — Bank / Kayak / Boat
Bank
UW/city parks.
Kayak
University Bay edges.
Boat
Weedline circuit; campus traffic lighter Mon–Thu.
Pattern: Weed edges/points; fall deeper weeds.
Ethanol-free fuel near this water
Madison — Pure-Gas.org; verify E0 at pump. Prices move — verify at pump. Pure-Gas is crowdsourced.
Lure box — Top / Mid / Bottom
Built for Largemouth bass (species-honest).
Top
Walking bait / popper when bait is up.
Mid
Swimbaits, cranks, spinnerbaits, or spoons by depth.
Bottom
Jigs, Ned/rigs, drop-shots; live/dead bait where legal for walleye/trout.
Life stage + What's on the menu
Stage: Mid/late September transition.
Menu: Bluegill, perch, cisco
Also hot / also in season
Walleye, pike, muskie, panfish
Looking ahead
Fall transition continues next 1–3 weeks. Re-check tournaments for Heavy Traffic. Shared waters: one writer/cycle.