Lake Monona

When you look at the current water levels the county is correct in their statement, and to further push the envelope they're above the winter minimum levels. So they're managing the levels according to their set levels, but in reality their parameters are not realistic. Just makes it accurate to make statements like this. They are adjusting the percentage the dams are open now at Babcock and LaFollette, both single digits open now and the last posted opening at Tenney was a while ago and it was at 22% open. They need to readdress their summer and winter minimum levels so we're not in the shape we currently are.

LOL at you guys.  You want him to make it rain?

It's a chain, folks.  You can't let more water out of the lakes than is coming in, otherwise the level drops.

And your understanding of physics is a bit strained if you think dredging has anything to do with water levels, particularly if there is no water flowing....the dams determine the levels.

The USGS has level gauges with historical data back decades if you would like to review....
​Mendota​​​
​Monona​​​
​​Waubesa​​​
​Kegonsa​​​

It's 3 weeks before normal ice-out.  Patience, and precipitation, please.

This is the guy who told me this is normal and the lakes are only 1’ below summer min, I encourage everyone to email this guy and ask what’s going on?  The lake levels are 100% from mismanagement from the county.  I spoke directly to the USGA and he can’t believe that the dredging in McFarland was allowed to happen and they exceeded the depth of the permit,  now they are trying to add rocks back for the walleye to spawn.  

[email protected]

I'm 57 and grew up on the shores of Lake Monona. The water levels on Monona and Waubesa are the lowest I have ever seen them. My buddy and I went and checked out launches on Waubesa and Monona today. It appears they are down between 2 and 3 feet. Mendota appears to be down maybe 10-12 inches. I called Dane County Land and Water to ask if the Tenney Locks and Dam are operating properly and they said they were. I have no insight as to why they are this low, but I do not believe the lack of snow and/or the dredging are solely to blame. If the levels don't come up dramatically, motoring between Waubesa and Monona and even launching are going to be a concern. The photos are of Babcock and Lottes launches, which appear to be significantly low. The other photo is the Mendota side of Tenney, Water appears down 10-12 inches based on the white water line. Just my 2-cents.  

More low water pics. The county control the water level . They kept it low all last year . I hope we get some big rains to fill it back up . 2picks from Four Lakes Yacht club/Buck &Honey's. Other pic shows past levels vs now .  

The water is low because of lack of precipitation the last year and also because of the county's dredging operations. When you remove the amount of sediment they have its going to lower levels. 

why is the water so low this year? is it normally this low? if anyone knows why it is low or how it will be back at its regular water depth id appreciate the answer.
Thanks!

We stopped at Lottes Launch today . The ice is gone. The water level is so low your trailer will drop off the end off the concrete pad and possibly wreck your axle . See the pics. 

Anyone been out on Squaw in the last day or so? Ice was getting soft on Monday. How's it holding up? Hoping to get out over the weekend

Out of Shluter tonight until the rain started again. Out in 12-18' of water. 8ish" of ice (some more some less) and soft in the top 2-3" (maybe just paranoid perception). Lots of water on top. 20.5" SMB (that's a first for me) and a 26"ish pike. Lots of activity on the live again. Fish would come up several feet following the spoon and give up. Probably my last outing for a while. Since the bite has been really slow for me, I don't see a need to go out and risk going for a swim. Fingers crossed the below freezing evenings coming up help keep us with fishable conditions. Good luck out there. Be safe

Fished Wyldehaven again yesterday. Not much to report. Fish are there, but I'm showing them the wrong things apparently. Walked out of Tonyawatha today. Love being able to just be outside all day rather than hauling the portable around. Found perch in about 50FOW. Had to sacrifice a few little guys to get some decent ones, and a few really nice ones. Don't think I saw anything less than 8" of ice. That's being conservative. Then fished out of Shluter tonight. Lots of lookers. Did manage to crack one small walleye. 

The upcoming weather doesn't look great. The good news is that many of those nights are getting back below freezing. As long as we don't get rain, I don't think we'll lose much ice. An inch or two of that supposed heavy wet snow tomorrow actually might be a good thing.

Out of wyldehaven today. 6"+ all the way way out to 50'. No fish. Some marks out deep, and suspended. Evening bite missed a couple, and marked a lot. Discouraging but not devastating. I'll be there again tomorrow.

Thanks for the report on Wyldehaven! Expect to see me out there or out of tonyawatha/Schluter area tomorrow, Sunday, and maybe Monday. As I've said, come say hey. Clam 560 shelter. Tight lines, friends.

*Edit. Perhaps the better tell is the clam 560 with an otter sport and a jet sled jr camo in tandem is my tow set up. That shelter with that sled combo... That's me ;)

Ice in front of Wyldhaven is a solid 5” to at least 100 yds offshore in 20 fow. I was setting tip ups so I didn’t go further out. You don’t need to go much further though considering it drops off very quickly

SmallieHunter92 I plan on checking it out tomorrow if not this afternoon yet. I've been itching to get over there as well.