When the ice melts in the Wisconsin Southern Savannah Region, nature lovers flock to Dane County to explore the Yahara Chain of Lakes. This stunning chain of lakes bisects Madison, Wisconsin’s capital, offering miles of connected waterways, nature trails, parks, beaches, and picnic areas. Originating from a boggy expanse shaped by glaciation, the chain officially starts at Cherokee Lake, just north of Lake Mendota.
Cherokee Lake, a small 57-acre lake, is a broad section of the Yahara River created by human intervention in the 1850s. The lake is a haven for canoeing, kayaking, birding, and nature observation, surrounded by parks, a dog park, and several canoe launch sites. Efforts are ongoing to stabilize the shoreline and prevent further wetland loss.
Lake Mendota, covering 9,824 acres, forms the northern border of Madison and offers diverse recreational opportunities. With a 22-mile shoreline featuring farmlands, suburban homes, and parks, it is a hub for watersports. Situated on the northern shore, Governor Nelson State Park boasts more than eighteen miles of hiking and skiing trails in addition to a sandy beach and boat launches. Mendota County Park provides camping facilities. Lake Mendota is a favorite spot for sailboat racing, fishing, and boating, with amenities like rowing clubs, marinas, and restaurants. Popular fish species include walleye, northern pike, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and smallmouth bass.
Lake Monona, surrounded by Madison, is the most popular recreational lake in the city. This 3,274-acre lake, once a resort destination, now has 40% of its shoreline designated as public lands. The lake is perfect for water skiing, jet skiing, tubing, windsurfing, and boating. It offers excellent fishing, with largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, muskie, bluegill, and smallmouth bass. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s main campus is between Lake Monona and Lake Mendota, with the beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens at Olbrich Park on the east end. The lake is also home to hotels, parks, and the popular Flam Railway, which offers stunning views.
Although not directly part of the Yahara Chain, Lake Wingra is a delightful side trip with its 321 acres surrounded by parkland and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum. Gasoline motors are prohibited, creating a peaceful environment perfect for swimming, boat rentals, and nature trails. Excellent bluegill, panfish, crappie, northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, and muskie fishing is available at the lake. In early spring, visitors gather to watch migrating muskies leap the dam upstream to spawn.
Further downstream, the Yahara Chain continues through small Mud Lake, a 233-acre bird-watching paradise surrounded by wetlands, and into Lake Waubesa, a 2,050-acre lake on the edge of McFarland. Lake Waubesa has parks with camping facilities, such as Babcock Park and Lake Farms Centennial Park. The lake supports a robust fishery with muskie, northern pike, bass, walleye, and panfish. Visitors can explore the historical Indian Mound Park, featuring effigy mounds, or enjoy boating and sailing from the public pier at McDaniel Park.
The last lake, Lake Kegonsa, is the largest and most populated, spanning 3,140 acres. Controlled by the LaFollette Dam, the lake offers boating, water skiing, and fishing. Lake Kegonsa State Park and LaFollette County Park provide access to the lake, while private facilities rent small boats. The lake has bass, perch, walleye, largemouth bass, and bluegill.
The Yahara Chain of Lakes offers abundant recreational opportunities for nature lovers, making it an ideal destination for water-based fun and family outings. With excellent fishing, diverse wildlife, and stunning scenery, it is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.