Boat Launches
Madison Parks offers a variety of launch sites throughout the city.
Temporary Closure Notice
Olin Boat Launch is closed Saturday, August 7 due to a permitted special event - from 10:00pm Friday, August 6 through 4:00am Sunday, August 9.
We manage seasonal and year-round fishing, sightseeing and boat launch piers throughout the city's lakefront parks. Piers are typically installed each spring and removed in the fall. See year-round pier locations.
Lake Access Permit
A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV at:
- Lake Monona: Law, Olbrich, Olin
- Lake Mendota: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner
- The permit is also valid at designated launch sites in Dane County
- See Ordinance 8.215 for details.
Buy a Permit
You can buy a Lake Access Permit online or by calling 608-266-4711.
We will mail annual permits within 10 business days. Display your permit inside the driver's side windshield.
Note: You cannot buy permits at launch sites.
2026 Fees
| Permit | Fees |
|---|---|
| Daily | $8 |
| Annual - Dane County Resident | $53 |
| Annual - Non-Resident | $65 |
| Annual - Senior (65+) | $35 |
| Military, Veteran, Disabled | $28 |
| Replacement | $20 |
Permit Dates
Permits for the following year may be purchased starting November 1 of the previous year.
The current year's permit is valid through March of the following year.
- 2026 permit is valid from time of purchase through March 31, 2027.
- 2027 permit is available for purchase November 1, 2026, and valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2028.
Additional launch locations are available for canoes and kayaks.