Lake Mendota & Lake Monona

The northernmost and largest of the four major lakes in the city of Madison in Wisconsin, Lake Mendota is the largest, bordering not only Madison but also Middleton, Shorewood Hills, Maple Bluff, and Westport. The main connection for both Lake Mendota and Monona is the Yahara River, much of which is lined with high-end, luxury condos and homes. Aside from the prime real estate that lines the banks, there are also countless natural parks and areas like the James Madison Park, hotels and restaurants, and summer boaters along the two major marinas. The lakes offer engaging watersports during the warmer months like water-skiing, fishing, wakeboarding, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing. In the colder months, the lakes freeze over and the same watersports then become sought after winter sports like ice fishing, ice hockey, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. There are five beaches along Lake Mendota, all of which are highly maintained and lifeguarded.