Lake Mendota

Very nice morning today (much nicer than Monday and Tuesday this week)! Water temp was 49°F out past Governors Island. Water clarity at 80' was zilch, in shallower waters much better. The filamentous algae is really taking hold now. Checked weed growth along Warner Bay shoreline and they're starting to pop up. Didn't see any SMB on any of the structure I checked or along the rocky areas. Only saw one Sheepshead on the camera. Did mark larger fish in Warner Bay in smaller "schools" (2 or 3 fish together). Nothing exciting found or identified today but it was such a nice day who cares?! :)

That link didn't work for me when I first clicked it, works now though. Had no idea this existed.

Thank you! 

This one is currently working
http://144.92.62.213/mendota/index.html

The main buoy is still down

Is the buoy water temp sensor working now?
I was in contact with them and they said they're working on getting a new sensor string installed.
Still shows as being down on my screen, but maybe I'm missing something.

This is a link to the monitoring buoy that is located in the center of the lake
https://metobs.ssec.wisc.edu/mendota/buoy/

I believe that this sensor is next to/on the main buoy
http://144.92.62.213/mendota/index.html

I was out on Tuesday and most surface temps were in the mid-50s, but that was probably a very shallow layer as the buoy is now showing 46. Saw surface temps up to 70 degrees in the far north end of bay where the Yahara comes in. You can find more info on that here.
https://www.lake-link.com/wisconsin-fishing-reports/mendota-catfish-dane-county/2787/

​Hey Everyone- ​Brand new member here! Just wondering what the water temp is ​on Mendota right now? Looking to go after some smallies in the near future.

Been out a few times past week or so. Mostly after work around sunset and this afternoon, bank fishing all along the Northside. It's been a tough bite, not consistent action. But the two fish I've caught so far were both very nice. Been throwing a ned rig and an ultralight jig. No rock bass around Warner yet. The ones I saw today were not interested in eating, but I did start a little later in the day. Water was much more clear today than last week, gin clear.

No dice on Governors Island, could see down to the bottom from the cliffs and looked totally vacant. A little surprising to not see anything over all that area, no SMB or panfish. Cherokee was alright, had one miss on a smallish bass that threw my jig and one small pike who chased my bobber. Was glad he was more interested in that than my jig, probably would have shredded my 4lb leader. Still cool to see given how clear the water was. Only caught that crappie today, which might be my personal best.

Hoping the warm weekend gets the fish going some, been hard finding consistent action. Probably a skill issue on my part. Not a lot of bites at all, but some excellent fish accessible from shore when they do bite. Going to hit up my favorite cat spots soon for a night trip.

Was it Jason Kline? Definitely something he would do for bass this time of year

Saw a fella below the locks the other night pitching a shad rap with a headlamp on.  Inquiring what he was fishing for he claimed bass .  I have my doubts

I have to admit defeat.  I had gotten out in early March and found plenty of fish, including some tank bass.  

Now, a month later, my last 2 outings have been void of anything.  No follows, no hits, and no fish.  I think this early ice out, and late season snowfall has the fish headed for Mexico or some place warmer.  I hope the extended warm streak we are having will jump start some of the fish for anyone getting out this weekend.  Been a long time since I got skunked on Dota, but 2x in a row!  Maybe I should play more golf?

Tight lines,
Fs