In the heart of Madison, there’s a little lake that lives in the shadow of other, larger nearby lakes. While Lake Wingra is much smaller and less well-known than its sisters (Lake Monona and Lake Mendota), it’s a gem that beckons paddlers with an incredible experience that’s unlike any other in the state. You can take in a skyline view, explore the shoreline of a wild arboretum or just float and watch water birds. You’ll forget that you’re just a few minutes from Madison’s restaurants and hotels.
The lake is located in central Madison. It’s the smallest of the lakes drained by the Yahara River and it’s mostly surrounded by publicly-owned land.
Lake Wingra is not a large lake. It’s just nine feet deep and it has a surface area of about one square mile. The lake’s waters are generally very calm and easy for any paddler.
There are good places to launch a kayak in Henry Vilas park on the lake’s north shore. There’s also plenty of parking for cars.
If you don’t have a kayak, you can rent one at Wingra Boats. They have a variety of models available for rent, including solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, sit-on kayaks and tandem sit-on kayaks.
Once you are on the water, you’ll find there’s a lot to explore on this little lake. You can paddle past the shore of Edgewood College and skirt the edge on the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
On the lake, you can get a nice view of downtown Madison. You also may see some wildlife, including waterfowl. Lake Wingra’s name comes from the word “duck” in the language of the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Because it’s a small lake, it won’t take you long to explore Wingra – it’s a good place for a quiet, leisurely float. Once you’ve explored Lake Wingra, the larger lakes of Monona and Mendota are also good bets for a shoreline paddle. For some fast-action river paddling, check out this amazing kayaking destination.
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