Blessed are Madisonites, with five lakes to call our very own. Whether your favorite is Kegonsa, Monona, Mendota, Wingra or Waubesa, our lakes offer us ample opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy life in Wisconsin.
Take a swim
Or, just laze around on the beach on a summer afternoon. With clean, Lake Monona water and lifeguards in the summer, B.B. Clarke beach is popular with Madison’s isthmus resdents. You can also fish, canoe and kayak here. The park and beach are located at 835 Spaight St.
Lake Mendota’s Tenney Beach (1300 Sherman Ave.) is probably the most popular beach. Large and well-lifeguarded, it also offers a swim rope and volleyball.
Launch the boat
With the exception of Vilas Park, all of Madison’s boat launches require a lake access permit. Permits cost $8 per day or you can purchase an annual pass for $35 if you are a resident of Dane County ($45 for non-residents). The county offers discount passes for seniors and the disabled. Get information on lake access permits by clicking here, and information on Madison’s boat launches here.
Take a cruise
Lakes Mendota and Monona are perfect spots for lake cruising and there are a couple of cruise companies offering trips. These come complete with lunch, a bar and more. Check out the private cruises offered by Betty Lou, here.
Do lunch
After a day of fun in the sun and water, settle in for a meal by the water. Madison has no shortage of waterfront eateries, from Sardine and Paisan's Restaurant on Lake Monona to The Statehouse (inside the Edgewater Hotel), you’ll find the perfect way to wrap up a day on one of Madison’s fabulous lakes.
Posted by Jolenta Averill on