Even in the midst of urban surroundings, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had in and around Madison—hiking, biking and taking in the beautiful views, to name a few. But there’s one surefire way to get out on the water here—and that’s fishing.
We’ve gathered the essential intel to help you quickly map Greater Madison’s fishing story—from the region’s diverse fish species to its mix of urban and rural waters, plus the local guides who can offer a true fish-eye view of the lakes and the culture that surrounds them.
Wisconsin fishing is some of the best in the nation, and it can all be found within Madison’s lake-city-lake landscape during this year’s conference.
Fishing in Madison, Wisconsin
Boasting five lakes, Madison is one of the top spots in the state to angle for walleye, bass and musky. In Lake Mendota, you’ll discover abundant panfish and largemouth bass, but also less common varieties like sturgeon. If you fish Lake Wingra, you’ll commonly scope out species like musky and walleye.
Lake Monona is home to Northern pike, musky and catfish, and the same goes for Lake Waubesa. Lake Kegonsa and its state park is known for its year-round fishing opportunities, where you can find walleye, panfish, pike, bass, bluegill and crappie.
While you may love casting a line on your own, it can help to be guided by a knowledgeable local professional as well. To really get in on the Madison fishing action and go straight to the best fishing destinations, turn to Madison Fly Fishing Company, Madison Musky Guide Service, Madison Angling Guide Service and Big B’s Guide Service.
Explore the waters
Water and Madison go hand-in-hand, which makes for unlimited fishing adventures. You can of course take to the lakes for fishing fun, like Lake Mendota that’s close to downtown and flanks the UW–Madison campus, and Lake Monona on the other side of the isthmus that offers skyline views along with lakeside vistas, but there are inland waters to discover as well.
For instance, Brittingham Park and the accompanying Monona Bay offer a multitude of species to discover and can be fished year-round (and provides boat rentals through Brittingham Boats). Other Madison parks that are well-known to locals for their excellent fishing include Olbrich Park, Tenney Park and Warner Park.
While you may want to soak up as much fishing as you can during your visit to Madison, there are lots of other ways to get out on the water, too. For instance, there’s Madison Boats at the Edgewater, which departs from the famed lakeside resort for a Lake Mendota excursion on a comfortable pontoon boat.
While fishing is a favorite activity during the warm-weather months, Madison is just as famous for its longstanding ice fishing traditions. Warner Park rents out ice fishing equipment, and of course, the five lakes are frequently dotted with faithful ice anglers all winter long. You can even head out on a guided ice fishing excursion with local company Blue Ribbon Outdoors.
Other fun activities
If you’d like to be a landlubber for a while during your trip, look no further than Olbrich Biergarten, a real-deal outdoor beer garden that’s situated directly on the lakeshore. Grab a locally made pint (with flavors to savor like Delta Beer Lab’s Fusion Blueberry Blonde or the sour-meets-sweet Never Badmouth Synergy crafted by Young Blood Beer Company). And grab a partnering salty snack like a giant pretzel or fresh curds as you appreciate the skyline and Lake Monona scenery.
For a fishing-adjacent activity that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, go to Monona Bait & Ice Cream Shop. With its charming red exterior that mimics a log cabin, it’s been a local favorite since 1960. Its throwback vibe will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time as you relish the tastiest ice cream around from Babcock Dairy (made on the UW–Madison campus) and Sassy Cow Creamery. And naturally, you’ll get stocked up on bait during your visit, too.
Learn More
Attendees of the OWAA 2026 conference can visit Destination Madison’s travel resource page for transportation tips, itinerary ideas and more. And be sure to read our fishing blog post, which includes recommendations for the best fishing spots, including those under the radar.