I’m posting this to see if we have enough interest in getting a group together to fish Lake Mendota some time in the first two weeks of August.
This would be an non sponsored, relaxing group fishing night or two on the lake…for some channels that compare to the Great Red River of the North.
I haven’t checked into camping/motel rooms…in fact, all I’ve done so far is talk with a “local expert” to ensure he’ll be available to help us photo some big guys.
If there’s an interest, please post here. 
You are killing me with the “local expert” bit. As I am just a weekend stiff like the rest of us. The fish are fat here and fight like Joe Louis. I get a 100lbs of channel cats fairly often on a given night. Mendota has the right stuff for a state record 44lbs. Not much current and a fabulous base of ciscos and perch. The difference between river cats and lake cats is apparent in Jake’s fish. That one went about 8lbs. They have shoulders and bellies here from not fighting the current their whole lives.
What’s the location of this lake?
I’m in for a GTG.
L. Mendota is located in Madison (WI) or I should say that Madison is located on the south shore of L. Mendota.
Big Lake, good depth, about 10,000 acres. Multispecies oppurtunities; you name it, it’s probably here.
It is one of the Madison chain lakes.
I would be interested in making the trip! I have fished it before when I lived in the Janesville area.
For Viking fans wondering what the license cost would be, as I was wondering, it is:
Nonresident 4-day individual license—Fee $24.00.
Might be worth it just to know what fishing with 2 lines feels like. 
I’m going on vacation for a week on August 11th.
If you hold it before then, I would like to partake in this event. I can pretend to be a cat fisherman!
I’m also willing to provide my boat (18′ lund) if the date works out.
Boog
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Might be worth it just to know what fishing with 2 lines feels like.
What-chu talkin bout Willis?
We get 3 lines 
I’d be up for that. I’ve never fished it before and I should.
I have zero knowledge when it comes to lake fishing, but I do have a big boat to offer.
If this goes off, picnic point has some nice fire pits where we could have a few pops. there are even a couple pretty good shore spots on the point. The cats here are not picky about what they eat. I have had success using shiners, leaches, crawler, cutbait, but Sonny’s blood bait seems to work better than anything. A couple local guides drift them during the day and do pretty good. I prefer to sit on weed edges and they find you.
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We get 3 lines
Well it apparently is a big responsibility that our DNR and lawmakers don’t think we can handle, so I was thinking about easing into it. 
Kev, is there good shore fishing for some of us that don’t have a boat or don’t want to make the haul?
Yes. There is although I would recommend some hip waders. I would recommend a lit bobber setup for shore fishing. You might need to get a big fish through the weeds. I have been bit in 2 ft of water right next to shore. Picnic point has a nice drop off off the tip of the point and a beatufil weed bed that runs along the southside. I have caught many fish here. Ideally you would want to get your bait out a ways and then walk back to shore. I might be able to wrestle up a few buds with boats. Recovering bassholes most of um.
Depending on the date, I’m in. It would be a good way to salvage a good time from a visit with the in-laws.
Ben
This guy was caught within easy shore cast of picnic point. the point is in the background.
Figures…the weekend I plan on fishing the Miss for cats, you all want to come locally.
Well set a date and I’ll TRY…….real hard!!!
I guess I already have a seat. 
..but can bring my backwater beater boat
Some added panny fish’in would not bother me a bit !!!
You mean there is more than perch thru the ice and women and beer around there?? 
What was I thinking 25 years ago when I tried to get college edumedicated.
I hear you Rock. I also did my 5.5 year undergrad there. I didn’t know there were fish here at all then and I lived right on the lake for Pete’s sake. Oh and Brett you just gave up one of my favorite spots. People aren’t the only things after those perch and gills. Just across the bay from the point is the Wisconsin Union. They usually have a pretty good band on the weekend which you could see and hear plain as day from the point.
I recommend the Marshall Park Launch
2101 Allen Blvd
Middleton, WI 53562
I have seen your favorite spot so tight with boats you can walk from one to another. It must be a lot of peoples favorite spots
Ah perhaps during the day… Don’t forget Catfisherman own the night. I am usually the only one there. It really makes me laugh because everyone leaves right before the fish start biting.
You bet Im in for that one! I dont care Ill fish from shore if I got too!!
Did someone say bar on the lake? 
IN!
There are no bars on the Madison chain
I think there are one or two bars. Fair warning though they do require shoes and for gods sake don’t tell them you are a viking fan. The union requires a membership card to buy. The scenery isn’t too hard on the eyes though.
I have reserved a spot at Lake Mendota Park in Middleton. It can accomodate 6 tents and is right on the lake. I had to make solid dates to the GTG for reserving the spots. The fishing GTG will happen on 3 Aug-5 Aug. The campground is on Hwy M which is very close to Marshall Park. Those wishing to camp here will need to cover the $54.00 cost of the reservation. I also have room in my backyard if we overfill the campground. the other spots around Dane county are not on the lake. Those wishing a hotel are on their own there are lots around town. First 6 pms get the campsites. Looking forward to meeting some of you for the first time.
So What kind of gear to use on the lake? I recommend medium heavy spinning gear. I use 6ft ugly sticks and I absolutely love them. I run 20lb power pro, on a cabelas fishhawk. The night bite is weed oriented. I put stink bait down 3-4 feet and drift lit Thill bobbers over and through the weeds. I use 30lb big cat on my stink bait tubes. The stuff that comes with store bought rigs is 10lb and not heavy enough. You can also bottom fish, I just hate watching rod tips. I look for a thick weed edge and fish just outside of it in intermittent weeds that don’t make it to the surface. The weed edge should have deep water fairly close to hold big ones. The day bite is there too use 3 way rigs and drift with the wind or use the bow mount. Dead slow is the ticket .8-1.2 mph. There is an excellent article in the July 07 Field and stream that shows how to do that. He uses much heavier line than is necessary as he is down south where they run bigger. Good electronics pay off for the drift fishing. The cats bite really well from dusk until you decide to stop. Mendota has some fine perch and big gills too so if you like to do that bring a couple ultra lites. The panfish can be used for cutbait legally in Wisconsin. I am sure Mudshark will tell me if I am wrong 
Mendota is also known for huge pike. There is a 40 inch minimum size on the lake. the lake is also managed for trophy bass fishing with an 18 inch limit one fish kept per day.
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OK….it’s a cat trip 
