Lakes Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa

Welcome to Lakes Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa

These three lakes make up the southern stretch of the famed Yahara chain and offer a rich blend of recreation, scenery, and local history as the Yahara River flows south toward the Rock River.

Lake Monona is the second lake in the chain and lies on the opposite side of Madison’s iconic isthmus from Lake Mendota—making Madison one of only two major U.S. cities located on an isthmus, alongside Seattle, Washington. Mostly surrounded by urban shoreline, Lake Monona is fed by the Yahara River, Wingra Creek, and Starkweather Creek. Along with Lake Mendota, it is one of only two “deep” lakes in the Yahara system according to Wisconsin DNR criteria.

Continuing south, the Yahara River flows through Upper Mud Lake into Lake Waubesa, the third lake in the chain. With 2,080 acres of surface water and a maximum depth of 34 feet, Waubesa’s watershed features a mix of urban and rural land use. Its shoreline stretches about 15 miles and is home to three county parks—Babcock, McDaniel, and Lake Farm—providing abundant public recreation and natural beauty.

The chain’s lowest lake, Lake Kegonsa, spans 3,200 acres with a maximum depth of 32 feet. Like Waubesa, it is one of the shallower lakes in the system and is surrounded primarily by agricultural land. Lake Kegonsa’s wide open water and peaceful surroundings make it a favorite for boating, fishing, and enjoying classic Wisconsin lake country scenery.