Mendota, Lake
Info / LaSalle County
Family Friendly
No
Handicap Access
Yes
Boat Fishing
Yes - Electric motor only
Boat Ramps
Yes
Boat Rentals
No
Camping
No
Picnicking
Yes - More Info
Skiing
No
Swimming
No
Trout Stocking
Spring
Zebra Mussels
Location 18 acres
Fishing Outlook
Rainbow Trout
Excellent
Rainbow Trout are stocked in the spring only.
Black Crappie
Average
Black Crappie are present in Lake Mendota, but are in low density. The few Black Crappie that do show up in samples have been of quality size and in good condition. Anglers have reported some good catches in the past year.
Channel Catfish
Good
There are good numbers of fish in the 12-24 inch range, with a good chance at fish larger than 25 inches. Channel Catfish are stocked annually.
Bluegill
Very Good
The Bluegill population historically was a low-density population that produced few large individuals. Stockings of Bluegill were done to boost Bluegill numbers post summer fish kills. The 2024 survey showed decreased catch numbers for all sizes of fish. Bluegill population go through 5-year cycles of up and down. The lack of fish that were less than 3 inches indicates reduced reproduction and stocking will continue in 2025 to help boost Bluegill numbers.
Largemouth Bass
Very Good
The 2024 sample showed a diverse population with a PSD of 50. Total catch per unit effort (CPUE) was comparable to the 2023 survey, but fish in the 15-20 size group have not rebounded to pre-2019 numbers. Harvest by anglers in the smaller than 12-inch size group will be required to help fish get larger than 15 inches. Strong year classes from 2021, 2022 and 2023 have caused slowed growth in fish less than 12 inches.
| 2025 | Bluegill | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 20001 |
| 2025 | Channel Catfish | Advanced Fingerling (4 - 7") | 840 |
| 2024 | Bluegill | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 15412 |
| 2024 | Channel Catfish | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 504 |
| 2023 | Bluegill | Fingerling (1 - 3") | 19526 |
Contact
815-539-7287
Description
Lake Mendota is owned by the City of Mendota and the fishery is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Division of Fisheries. Lake Mendota has one boat ramp, but the lake has a no-gas-motor regulation. An accessible fishing pier, picnic area, shelters and restrooms are available at the lake.Site Regulations
Lake Mendota has an electric motor only regulation; no gas motors allowed on the lake.
Site-Specific Fishing Regulations:
- All Fish: 2 pole and line fishing only and each pole must not have more than 2 hooks or lures attached while fishing
- Channel Catfish: 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
- Large or Smallmouth Bass: Protected Slot Length Limit with no possession of fish greater than or equal to 12 inches and less than 15 inches; 3 Fish Daily Harvest Limit with no more than 1 fish greater than or equal to 15 inches and 2 fish less than 12 inches
- Trout: Spring Closed Season; 5 Fish Daily Harvest Limit
Additional Information
Planning to eat your catch? Fish Consumption Advisory information can be found here: Fish Consumption Advisory PageBath Map
