ONE BITE SAVES THE DAY!! - LAKE MENDOTA GIANT CATFISH

Lake Mendota in Madison, WI is home to some of the BIGGEST channel catfish in North America. Although the are a nuisance to some (and thought to be hurting the fishery - wrongly accused) they are an AWESOME fish to fight and an incredible resource in their own right. If you just want to catch a big fish or get some kids onto some FUN big fish action, these fish are the ticket! Sometimes only one bite saves the day!

[@fishlovme]

I haven't caught a buffalo out there using cut bait but I've caught northern pike (several), white bass, snapping turtle, largemouth bass, and of course catfish. No secrets out there to where those fish are. Up and down that river and into the marsh they can be caught. Some spots produce better than others but overall I've found they're everywhere!

[@alexanderpilona2053]

Nice to see people pulling monsters from local waters! One of my fav cat areas.

[@herbsuperb6034]

Absolutely. Such a gift to have so many world-class sport fish right at our fingertips. Monster smallies, trophy pike/musky, chunker cats. Madison Chain is a fantastic blend of warm/cold water fish. Little bit of everything.

[@herbsuperb6034]

That was a porker. She's been eating good. Such big healthy cats on Mendota. Caught a 34.9 LB back in 2019. Caught a 26.2 LB on a Carp Boilie last year. There's a new state record out there somewhere. Nice Buff, too. I've only caught a couple of those, and never one that was very big. I've heard stories of them taking all kinds of baits you wouldn't think they'd hit. They'll chase moving baits like cranks and spoons if you get close enough. Same thing with the big Channel Cats. They get taken on swimbaits and spinners all the time. Can't wait for the season to get started. I'll love to see somebody catch a Flathead on Mendota and actually document it. I've heard folks swear up and down they are in there, but the DNR says no. Wouldn't be too shocked to catch one there. Good luck this year!

[@ancientfishing]

I catch catfish all over Southern Wisconsin. Can't seem to get one in Madison.

[@madtownangler]

Nice kitty. I've fished that spot from the shore and never gotten anything. I usually fish once a year for cats at Tenney and get one nice one a year on 1/2 a gill.

[@paperchase0825]

Try Cherokee marsh for cats theres loads of them back there the channel this guy was fishing leads there good spot for bank fishing

[@herbsuperb6034]

@@paperchase0825 I need to spend more time up there. I live South of town, so it's a bit out of the way, and every time I go up there things just don't go right. I'll give it another try this Spring for Carp/Cats. I'll get it right one of these days.

[@paperchase0825]

@@herbsuperb6034 it’s gotten to be really hit or miss you’ll have days where you can catch 5 cats in a hour and days where you’re out there all day and not a bite but I’d recommend going when weather about to get bad or high wind days the cats get all fired up in the marsh if you can stand to be out there... also it’s full of carp if you go during spawn there literally beating up the bank

[@herbsuperb6034]

@@paperchase0825 Definitely true about cats. Follow the wind. If one side of the lake has been consistently blasted by winds, cats will be feeding on the corralled bait fish and pan fish. Back in October 2015 we had 3 weeks of persistent South Westerly winds and Tenney Park was on fire.

[@dingostarr417]

what type of rods were you guys using and how heavy was the line?

[@natev618]

Dude I'd love to be able to catch some catfish like that in the Madison area!!!

[@irrecon-gy6bk]

i live there on mandota by skipper buds

[@brianlewis1372]

I might be moving to Sun Prairie. I plan on getting a fishing kayak in spring but what are some good spots to fish off the bank?

[@badgersportsmanmagazine3777]

MONSTER!

[@HooksandHammocks]

We will be there next week! Super excited to fish a new spot from the kayak! New sub here! Come check us out sometime.

[@lennislmcduffie2883]

L0 loops

[@ansonjimenez3873]

Not a 30 lb.....good try....... Next time I should watch the entire video he said 30 to 34 in.... Good catch guys.. so I'm retracting my first comment of 30 pounds with apology

[@MadisonAngling]

Who said 30lbs?

[@ansonjimenez3873]

@@MadisonAngling in the video on the first fish he said it was 30 lb upper 30s I think to be exact

[@ansonjimenez3873]

Sorry that was my bad absolutely he said 30-in 34-in definitely a 34-incher nice catch