Fishing

Madison Parks offers seasonal and year-round fishing piers. Most piers are available from spring through mid/late October with some available year-round.

Seasonal Pier Removals 

Starting the week of October 19 piers will be removed for the season. Installation and removal are dependent on the weather and lake conditions. Ice and changes in the weather could lead to the removal for maintenance at any time.

Year-Round Piers

The following piers are available year-round:

• Yahara River at Cherokee Marsh South and Olin
• Lake Mendota at Marshall and Spring Harbor boat launches
• Brittingham Bay at Brittingham near the shelter
• Starkweather Creek kayak launch at Olbrich
• Lake Monona at Olbrich boat launch

Accessible Piers

An accessible pier is located in Vilas Park, on Lake Wingra and at Warner Park, on the Warner Park lagoon.

License Required

Wisconsin residents aged 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Nonresidents aged 16 years old or older need a nonresident fishing license to fish in Wisconsin waters with hook and line. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more information.

Every year, the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday in June and the third Saturday and Sunday in January, are designated as Free Fishing Weekends throughout the state of Wisconsin. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days.  Visit WI DNR

Eating Your Catch

Eating fish can be a delicious, low-cost, and nutritious meal. However, eating certain fish can also be harmful because they may contain mercury, PCBs, or PFAS. See Eating Your Catch for more information.