Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

[Golfnomo]

I would be interested to get some impressions of boating on Mendota and Monona in Madison WI. I am a couple of hours away and would like to visit soon. Is it worth the extra hour drive to boat there vs. Lake Geneva?

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

I am on those lakes often. What kind of things are you interested in knowing about the lakes? One thing for sure, is they are very busy on the weekends. The nice thing for pleasure boaters is that the lakes are connected by the Yahara river system. You can go from Lake Waubesa to Lake Monona and then to Lake Mendota. However, to get onto or off of Mendota, you have to go thru the locks and there's a $5 fee for that. The Yahara river is a small river system that's really nice for a relaxing cruise. Monona an Mendota are the best lakes because the have nice scenery. You get great views of downtown Madison.

 

[Golfnomo]

Re: Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

I would imagine that it is no more crowded than Lake Geneva on the weekends. Or is it? I was curious about improved boat launches, trailer parking, anchor areas for swimming, the usual. I have been to Madison numerous times and it looks like a beautiful set of lakes. Any advice you may offer is welcomed.

 

[BassCat73]

Re: Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

The boat launches and parking are pretty good. Parking can be a pain in the middle of the morning, but that's true anywhere. On Mendota, use the Warner Park launch. On Monona, use the Olin launch or Olbrich launch. I'd certainly recommend making the trip since you haven't been on the lakes before. Personally, for a nice tour, I'd launch at Warner Park and tour lake Mendota for awhile. Then, head to the Yahara river, which is where the lock is. Once you go through the lock and the river, you'll be on Lake Monona, which has superb views of downtown. You can head to Lake Waubesa from Monona, the River is nice, but lake Waubesa doesn't really have anything noteworthy to go see. I know there are places to anchor and swim on Mendota and Monona, but I'm not sure where. I just fish the lakes. <br /><br />Here's our DNR website. You can download nice lake maps, so you know where the Yahara rivers are located and so on. I think it shows some sandbars and beaches where you can swim.<br /><br /> http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/lakes/lakemap/lkmaps_a.htm

 

[Incorrigible]

Re: Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

I have one of my boats on Mendota full time, and cannot imagine anyone calling Mendota or Monona "busy". These lakes are about as under utilized as possible. Compared to Lake Geneva, the Madison lakes are deserted. I yacht race on both in the summer, and Mendota is much smoother, much less traffic, and thus much less wake. The downside? There are VERY few "destinations" on Mendota. You need to travel down through the lock system to find bars/restaurants, but the trip is well worth it...

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Yahara Chain - Mendota, Monona

Just finished restoring my boat and cannot wait to get in the water!

I spent lots of time on Lake Mendota growing up. Friends family had house on Mendota. Madison Lakes are very beautiful! Water does seem to get funky later in the summer... But still great lakes!