Lake Access Permit
Madison Parks maintains boat launches to access both Mendota and Monona lakes.
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.
Piers are available from spring through mid-fall. 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.
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.
- 2025 permit is valid from the time of purchase through March 31, 2026.
- 2026 permit is valid from time of purchase through March 31, 2027.