Lake Waubesa
(Photo of Lake Waubesa courtesy of Clean Lakes Alliance)
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, and long ago resort destination attracting vacationers regionally and as far away as Chicago
Today, Lake Waubesa is a place for sports fisherman, beach goers, bird watches and public green space opportunities. Visitors can enjoy lake views from a supper club, hike at the Capital Spring State Recreation Area or hiking and biking across the popular Lower Yahara River Trail on Lake Waubesa's famous boardwalk connecting McFarland with Madison's miles of hiking/biking trails. Dane County Parks in in the process of connecting this trail system to Stoughton.
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.

Don't forget to pick up your 2025 copy of Lakes Edition's DockNDine, a guide to lakeside dining around Southern Wisconsin
Ice Fishing Tips
2025 continues Southern Wisconsin's pattern of winter variability typical of climate change, no measurable snow, 40+ temperatures followed by artic blasts from Canada.
Please check local weather reports and with area fishing shops before heading out.
Typically, in late January - early February tip-ups are generally good for pike and walleye. Lake Waubesa offers a few public access points. 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.
Local Bite
Most anglers visiting Lake Waubesa try their luck with a twisting jig or minnow below the dam. Catfish, walleyes and walleye's relatives Saugers can be found in the shallows of the rapid moving Rock River. Try for crappies and large mouths near the power station.

Events
Take A Stake In The Lake (TBD April)
Join the Lake Waubesa Conservation Association (LWCA) for a day of helping protect and our chain of lakes. For more information please visit https://www.waubesa.org/about-us/our-purpose
Waubesa Snowbirds 2025 Winter Festival
Join the Waubesa Snowbirds for a day of winter fun, fundraising for Their club! Christy’s Landing is trail accessible pending good ice. We’ll be having 50/50 Raffles, Meat Raffles and great Raffle prizes. Info: Samantha Nelson
Details::
The Snowbirds 2025 Winter Festival takes place at Christy's Landing on Lake Waubesa, Saturday February 1, from Noon to 4PM. Christy's Landing is located at 2952 Waubesa Ave, in Madison. For more information contact FB Waubesa Snowbirds at
(608)-772-7000
Dining Lakeside
Christy’s Landing a family owned for over 60 years, has endured as one of the most popular bar & restaurants in the Madison area since Dennis O. Christenson began the Waubesa Beach Club in 1936. Times have changed from the days of the push pole skiffs and oar only fishing boats, but the laid back, friendly feeling of the lake and neighborhood has been a mainstay of Madison ever since. At Christy’s, they’ve kept the tradition of great drinks, food, entertainment and atmosphere alive and well for four generations!
2952 Waubesa Ave, Madison, WI 53711-5958
Phone
Green Lantern a long standing family restaurant located on Lake Waubesa's northeast shore from surf & turf, to soups & salads, breakfast, lunch, dinner & late night. By boat or by land they’re the place to be, and be seen at, on Lake Waubesa. The Green Lantern, or the "Greenie" as the locals call them, "the coolest place on Lake Waubesa, since the ice age."
4412 Siggelkow Road, McFarland, Wisconsin 53558,
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 285,000 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. And in recent years the town has added a number of ethnic restaurants most notably, Monona Bakery and Eatery, Salvatore's Tomato Pies and Mishqui Cocina Peruana
