LaSalle County · lake · 14 acres
Lake Mendota
Stocked 10× since 2021 · Illinois DNR
Lake Mendota is a lake in LaSalle County, Illinois, stocked with Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Rainbow Trout — most recently on Jan 1, 2026. FishableWaters aggregates every stocking record for this water from Illinois DNR; the latest schedule and today's bite windows are above.
Best days this week
Days near a new or full moon tend to fish best.
Today's bite windows
Conditions, next 3 days
Today
Overcast
84°
56°
7 mph
0%
Fri
Rain
83°
64°
15 mph
62%
Sat
Rain
68°
65°
19 mph
86%
→ pressure steadyStable weather — expect a normal bite.
Stocking ledger
| — 2026 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Rainbow Trout | 1,400 | ||
| — 2025 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Bluegill | 20,001 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 840 | 5.5" | |
| — 2024 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Bluegill | 15,412 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 504 | 2" | |
| — 2023 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Bluegill | 19,526 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 840 | 5.5" | |
| — 2022 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Bluegill | 21,879 | 2" | |
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 840 | 5.5" | |
| — 2021 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 840 | 5.5" | |
When does Lake Mendota get stocked?
Going by 10 records since 2021, stocking here peaks in January.
Angler reports
What's biting
No reports yet — be the first
Best bite times
No reports yet
Field notes
No notes yet
All Illinois waters with bluegill → · All Illinois waters with channel catfish →
Nearby waters
- Mendota Creek2.5 mi
- Vermilion Creek6.8 mi
- Fourmile Grove Creek6.3 mi
- Bass Lake10.4 mi
- Lake Sunset10.5 mi
- Tomahawk Creek12.8 mi
- Black Oak Lake10.7 mi
- Lyon Lakes11.3 mi
Seasons, limits, and rules are the state's call — check the official IL regulations and buy your license before you go. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Lake Mendota fishing — FAQ
What fish are stocked in Lake Mendota?+
Lake Mendota is stocked with Bluegill, Channel Catfish and Rainbow Trout in LaSalle County, Illinois, most recently on Jan 1, 2026 by Illinois DNR. The full stocking ledger is on this page.
When does Lake Mendota get stocked?+
Going by 10 records since 2021, stocking at Lake Mendota peaks in January. Check this page for the season's scheduled and most recent stockings.
Do I need a license to fish Lake Mendota?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check current seasons and limits before you go; both are linked on this page.
Where is Lake Mendota?+
Lake Mendota is a lake in LaSalle County, Illinois. Driving directions and an interactive topo map are on this page.
Data: Illinois DNR · updated Jan 1, 2026 · checked daily · we publish what agencies publish, nothing else.