LivewellWisconsin · Lake
Lake Mendota
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Mendota, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
Wisconsin also has statewide guidance
Wisconsin publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 26 recommendations covering 15 species — in addition to anything listed for Lake Mendota below.
Strictest statewide rule: Common Carp — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB.
What's safe to eat from Lake Mendota
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-04-12
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-04-12
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Over 20" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-04-12
Is it legal to keep?
These are Wisconsin's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | 05-25 – 12-31 | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | 05-03 – 03-01 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | 05-03 – 03-01 |
| Bluegill | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Wisconsin — Wisconsin DNR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.3 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.