(Photo of Lake Waubesa courtesy of Clean Lakes Alliance)
Lake Waubesa
Bordered on the west by the city of Madison and on the east by the town of McFarland, Lake Waubesa is a lake of cultural contrasts.. Heading north to south from Lake Mendota, Waubesa is the third in the chain of lakes connected by the Yahara River. The word Waubesa is a corrupted derivation of the Ojibwe word wabisi or :"swan." The lakes original name was So-hoo-cho-te-la which means "lake with rushes(grasses.)" The Ojibwe people arrived in the region hundreds of years after the Ho-Chunk.
Lake Waubesa is a place for sports fisherman, beach goers, lakeside living, and public green spaces. Visitors can enjoy lake views from a supper club, hike at the Capital Spring State Recreation Area or bike across the popular Lower Yahara River Trail and connect with Madison's miles of biking trails.
Visitors have access to the lake from public boat landings. There is also a public beach at McDaniel Beach located at 4806 McDaniel Lane, McFarland.
For Boaters
The Beach House Marina has transient boat slips available for the season. The marina is located adjacent to the Beach House restaurant at at 4506 Larson Beach Rd in McFarland. For pricing, hours and directions phone
(608) 255-3753.
Hungry? The Green Lantern Restaurant offers great American food at reasonable prices, transient boating slips are available for hungry boaters. The Green Lantern restaurant is located at 4412 Siggelkow Rd, McFarland. For more information call. (608)-838-4730.
Ice Fishing Tips
In late January - early February tip-ups are generally good for pike and walleye. There are a few public access points for Lake Waubesa. try entry at Bible Camp, at the Green Lantern boat launch/parking lot,
Christy's Landing and Lake Farm. According to Dane County Conservation League just off the southern edge of Goodland Park is usually pretty consistent for bluegills, but the center of activity lies between Rockford Heights and the Bible Camp. Rockford Heights holds good crappie potential on the deep side, with excellent tip-up action for pike up on the flats. The area directly out from the Babcock Park boat launch is also good for chasing pike.
Directions:
From downtown take Hwy. 51 north for 6.5 miles turn left onto Burma Road and follow until road
ends at Overlook Drive.
Events
THE WALK FOR WATER AT MCDANIEL PARK IN MCFARLAND
The Walk 4 Water put on by the McFarland Lutheran Church is a fundraiser featuring a 2.5-mile walk symbolizing the average distance villagers travel for water. The event is cohosted by Hope 4 Kids International. The event takes place Saturday, September 23 · 10am - 1pm at McDaniel Park, 4806 McDaniel Lane McFarland.
CELEBRATE LAKE WAUBESA
Sponsored by the McFarlane Chamber of Commerce and Lake Waubesa Conservation Association (LWCA) proudly host Celebrate Lake Waubesa a public event welcome to all and bring attention and adoration for one the region's cherished natural resources Lake Waubesa. LWCA will present exhibits on conservation and aquatic life while fun activities and musical performances will pack the day of August 24th from 5 PM to 8 PM at McDaniel Park on the shores of Lake Waubesa.
LAKE WAUBESA EARTH DAY CLEANUP
T.B.D. (Earth Day is Sat, Apr 22, 2023)
Take a Stake in the Lake - T.B.D.
Lower Yahara River Trail 2022 Clean-Up
Lake Waubesa In Depth
| Lake Info. | Data |
|---|---|
| Shoreline | 9 miles |
| Area | 2074 acres |
| Watershed Area | 28,160 acres |
| Maximum Depth | 38 feet |
| Mean Depth | 16 feet |
| Boat Landings | 4 |
| County | Dane |
| Fish | Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, |
According to recent Wisconsin DNR reporting: The lake's water clarity is low. Try jigs, live bait, spinners, and plastic frogs.
Catch and release fishing on Lake Waubesa for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
TOWNS NEARBY
Madison
Annually featured on top 10 places to live in the US lists, this mid-sized city of 270,000 is leaving its' creative and quirky tendencies behind and embracing unbridled growth and expansion. Remanants of Madison's more notable attractions like State Street have been altered by mass apartment block development. slowly the iconic street is losing its' character. The pedestrian mall conceived by Madison Mayor Paul Soglin in the 1970s still holds on to some of its' quirkiness though in smaller doses. Check it out before the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) alters this famous street forever. Thankfully, the Dane County Farmer's Market has remained steadfast despite the constant pressures of developers, land locked and defined by the space of Capitol Square in the city's center.
Mcfarland
Founded in 1856 this historic resort community has grown steadily over the years as people flee nearby Madison for cheaper housing options.
Lakes Edition Recommendation: Don't forget to check out the Lower Yahara River Trailis a 2.5 mile stretch of boardwalk that connects the suburb of McFarland to Madison (pictured left.) And, be sure to stop by the McFarland Historical Society and museum in downtown.
Monona
Hugging the southern shore of Lake Monona, this rapidly growing suburb of Madison is finding its' identity as new housing and restaurants sprout up in a neo-planned urban development (PUD) clustering around the Yahara River and Lake Monona channel. Monona features three public beaches on Lake Monona and two marinas.
