Top 20 Lakes in Dane County

Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, and Lake Wingra are excellent choices for water sports. Lake Mendota and Lake Monona are popular for sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, with rentals and lessons often available. Lake Wingra, being spring-fed and surrounded by woods, offers a serene setting for kayaking and paddleboarding, also with nearby rental options.

Yes, Dane County offers numerous trails around its lakes. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, centered around Lake Wingra, features 17 miles of diverse trails. Lake Monona has a popular 13-mile loop trail perfect for walking or biking, and the Howard Temin Lakeshore Path offers scenic views along Lake Mendota. For more options, explore the easy hikes in Dane County guide.

Lake Mendota, Lake Wingra, and Lake Kegonsa are highly regarded for fishing. Lake Mendota is known for its biodiverse fish population, including walleye, northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Lake Wingra is fishable with musky, panfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and walleye. Lake Kegonsa also provides excellent fishing opportunities, especially within Lake Kegonsa State Park.

Many lakes in Dane County are family-friendly. Governor Nelson State Park on Lake Mendota's north shore offers fishing, picnicking, hiking, and a sandy beach for swimming. Lake Kegonsa State Park provides swimming, fishing, and boating. Additionally, multi-use paths around lakes like Monona and Wingra are great for family walks and bike rides. Vilas Park Beach on Lake Wingra is another family-friendly swim spot.

Yes, Dane County's lakes are home to some historical sites. On Lake Mendota, you can find the Picnic Point Mound Group, which includes Native American effigy mounds. The UW-Madison Center for Limnology on Lake Mendota also highlights the lake's long history as a site for scientific study.

Lake Monona is excellent for cycling, featuring a popular 13-mile loop trail around its perimeter. The Capital City State Trail also runs near Lake Monona, offering paved multi-use paths. Lake Wingra has multi-use paths and trail networks like the Lake Wingra Recreation Loop. You can find more cycling routes in the Cycling in Dane County guide.

Lake Monona provides stunning views of the Madison skyline, including the State Capitol building. The View of Madison skyline and Wisconsin State Capitol from Lake Monona is a particularly popular viewpoint for this.

For a potentially less crowded experience, Lake Kegonsa is a great option. As the southernmost of the five main lakes, it offers a peaceful retreat, especially within Lake Kegonsa State Park, which features a variety of natural habitats.

Lake Wingra is almost entirely surrounded by woods and is known for its diverse natural features. The University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum encompasses part of the lake, offering 17 miles of trails through woodlands, savannas, prairies, wetlands, and gardens, making it a haven for nature lovers.

Visitors frequently appreciate the combination of urban accessibility and extensive natural beauty. The diverse recreational opportunities, from water sports and fishing to hiking and cycling on scenic trails, are highly valued. The stunning city views from Lake Monona and the serene, biodiverse environments of lakes like Mendota and Wingra are also often highlighted.

Yes, swimming is possible in Dane County lakes. Governor Nelson State Park on Lake Mendota and Lake Kegonsa State Park both offer sandy beaches for swimming. Vilas Park Beach on Lake Wingra is another designated swimming spot. For cleaner experiences, swimming off boats in the middle of larger lakes like Mendota is often recommended.

While specific regulations vary by park and lake, many trails and natural areas around Dane County lakes are dog-friendly, often requiring dogs to be on a leash. For example, Lake Wingra is noted as dog-friendly in some areas. Always check local signage for current rules regarding pets.