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Parks

Lake Access

You haven't seen Madison until you've seen it from a lake. As a city built on an isthmus, Madison is surrounded by more than 15,000 acres of sparkling lakes. Whether you want to enjoy an early morning fishing trip, paddle away an afternoon in a canoe or test your balance on skis, Madison Parks provides you with access to one of our community's greatest assets, our lakes.

Madison Parks maintains sites on both Mendota and Monona lakes available to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATVs. 

  • Lake Monona: Law, Olbrich, Olin
  • Lake Mendota: Marshall, Spring Harbor, Tenney, Warner

A Lake Access Permit is required year-round at Law, Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Spring Harbor, Tenney, and Warner parks.

Lake Access Permit

A Lake Access Permit is required year-round at Law, Marshall, Olbrich, Olin, Spring Harbor, Tenney, and Warner parks. The permit may be purchased online, is valid for 15 months (January 1 through March 31 of the following year) and is also valid at designated sites in the City of Monona and Dane County Parks.

Purchase Permit

The emailed receipt is proof of purchase. The annual permit is mailed within 10 business days. 

Lake Access Permit Type2026 Fees
Daily$8
Annual - Dane County Resident$53
Annual - Non-Resident$65
Annual - Dane County Senior (65+)$28
Annual - Non-Resident Senior (65+)$35
Military/Veteran; Disabled$28
Dublicate/Replacement$20
  • 2025 permit is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2026
  • 2026 permit is on sale starting November 1, 2025 and valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2027.
  • A daily or annual permit is required year-round to launch a motorboat, sailboat, iceboat, canoe, kayak, or ATV.
  • See Madison General Ordinance 8.215 for details.
  • Iron rangers are NOT available for on-site cash purchasing.
  • The permit should be displayed on the inside driver's side windshield.

Launch Area Parking Rules and Tips

  • Long stalls are for parking vehicles with trailers only.
  • Regular-size stalls are for parking vehicles with no trailer only.
  • Parking on the grass is prohibited.
  • When the launch parking lot is full, you must find an alternative launch site.
  • Violators are subject to a citation. 

See Madison General Ordinance 8.16 for more information. 

Piers

The City of Madison Parks maintains fishing, sightseeing and boat launch piers throughout the city's lakefront parks. Piers are typically installed each spring and removed in the fall.  

Year-Round Piers

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

Olbrich Boat Launch, Boaters Advised to Use Caution

Boaters are advised to use caution when navigating the narrowed channel where the Starkweather Creek meets Lake Monona due to low lake levels and creek sediment. Dane County Land and Water Resources installs channel markers to assist boaters. Boaters may consider launching at alternate sites such as Olin, Tonyawatha or Winnequah. Lake Access permit holders may use any of the designated launch sites throughout Dane County. 

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