Jig (Casting & Pitching) Fishing on Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota · Wisconsin · Midwest
Lake Mendota spans approximately 9,400 acres and features a complex bottom structure with numerous weed beds, drop-offs, and rocky areas that create ideal bass habitat. The lake's moderate depth averaging 27 feet, combined with clean water clarity and abundant forage, supports robust populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. It's a favorite among Midwest anglers for its accessibility, consistent fishing quality, and beautiful scenic setting.
A lead or tungsten head with a weed guard, skirt, and soft plastic trailer. Fished on the bottom by pitching, casting, or slow-rolling. The jig imitates crawfish and bottom-dwelling forage. More big bass have been caught on jigs than any other lure category — it's the lure that separates serious anglers.
Jig (Casting & Pitching) Setup for Lake Mendota
| Rod | 7'–7'3" medium-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 15–20 lb fluorocarbon (cover) or 50 lb braid (heavy grass) |
| Weight | 3/8 oz standard; 1/2–3/4 oz in wind or deep; 1/4 oz finesse |
| Hook | Built-in, typically 4/0–5/0 |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake Mendota
Lake: Spring bass spawn heavily on the shallow northern flats and around downed timber, with pre-spawn fish actively feeding along weed lines in 8-15 feet of water. Expect aggressive strikes on crankbaits, jigs, and soft plastics as water temperatures rise through the 50s and 60s.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Pre-spawn is prime season — pitch brown/green pumpkin jig to 45° bank transitions and rocky points.
Lake: Summer fishing transitions to deeper weed edges, drop-offs, and rock formations where bass seek cooler water and shade. Early morning and evening topwater action is excellent near weed beds, while midday success comes from deeper presentations around structure.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Football jig on offshore ledges 15–30 feet. Swimming jig around grass edges at dawn.
Lake: Fall brings premium fishing as cooling water temperatures push bass back to shallow feeding zones along weed lines and rock reefs throughout the lake. Transition patterns create excellent opportunities for crankbaits and swimbaits targeting suspended and feeding bass.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Swim a jig around baitfish schools near points and flats. Shad trailer colors in fall.
Lake: Winter ice fishing can be productive for smallmouth and largemouth on deeper structure and holes in weed beds, though safety and ice conditions should always be monitored. Jigging with live minnows and small plastics around drop-offs and rocky points produces consistent winter success.
Jig (Casting & Pitching): Slowest presentation — drag a 3/8 oz football jig on deep hard bottom. Barely move it.
Best Conditions
All seasons, all depths, all cover types; most effective in 50–70°F water; excellent in pre-spawn and when fish are on hard bottom
Match trailer to conditions: craw trailer in cold water (slower fall, bigger profile), swimbait trailer when swimming, chunk trailer for flipping.
More Techniques for Lake Mendota
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