Where is Lake Monona?

Lake Monona is a lake in Dane County, Wisconsin. Its water-quality measurements are published by Wisconsin DNR and shown on this page as reported.

How deep is Lake Monona?

Lake Monona has a maximum depth of 73.8 feet and an average depth of 26.9 feet. The lake covers 3360 acres.

Are there boat ramps on Lake Monona?

Lake Monona has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Law Park, Olin-Turville Park. Public access is listed as yes.

Can I fish at Lake Monona?

Lake Monona has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Wisconsin's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.

Lake Monona

Dane County, Wisconsin3,360 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from Wisconsin DNR for this lake.

Max depth

73.8 ft

Bathymetric survey

Area

3,360 acres

Surface area

Shoreline

13.6 mi

Measured length

Impaired · Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)
74 ft max depth
Public access

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Lake Monona in Dane County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 73.8 ft. Surface area: 3360 acres.

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Lake Monona is a 3,360-acre lake in Dane County, Wisconsin with a maximum depth of 74 feet (27-foot average). Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 2 public boat landings.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Wisconsin DNR Surface Water. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Lake Monona is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Boat launch2 documented ramps
Deep water73.8 ft surveyed max depth
Big water3,360 acres

Swimming conditions

No reading

Recreation use not supported

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lake Monona is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), pFAS, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Lake Monona is safe to swim in today is a call for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Lake Monona

These are the measurements Wisconsin DNR publishes for Lake Monona, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about Lake Monona

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Max depth

73.8 ft

Average depth

26.9 ft

Surface area

3,360 acres

Shoreline

13.6 mi

Public access

Yes

Listed by Wisconsin DNR

Recreation & Access

Boat Landings

Yes

Public Access

Law ParkPublic
Olin-Turville ParkPublic

Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps

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Stays near Lake Monona

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Lake Monona in Dane County, Wisconsin — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Lake Monona

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Fishing Lake Monona

→ Lake Monona fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Lake Monona is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

Nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen)PFASPCBs

Designated uses not supporting: Aquatic life, Fish consumption, Recreation.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit WI10001455 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Dane County

Lake Monona7 ft clear · Eutrophic0.9 miView →Lake Wingra4 ft clear · Eutrophic3.1 miView →Lake Mendota5 ft clear · Eutrophic3.5 miView →Lake Waubesa3.2 ft clear · Eutrophic4.6 miView →Mud Lake6.1 miView →Odana Pond1 ft clear · Hypereutrophic5.3 miView →

Frequently asked questions about Lake Monona

Where is Lake Monona?: Lake Monona is a lake in Dane County, Wisconsin. Its water-quality measurements are published by Wisconsin DNR and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Lake Monona?: Lake Monona in Dane County, Wisconsin has water-quality measurements published by Wisconsin DNR, shown here as reported. Maximum depth: 73.8 ft. Surface area: 3360 acres.
Is Lake Monona safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Lake Monona is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen), pFAS, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is Lake Monona?: Lake Monona has a maximum depth of 73.8 feet and an average depth of 26.9 feet. The lake covers 3360 acres.
Are there boat ramps on Lake Monona?: Lake Monona has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Law Park, Olin-Turville Park. Public access is listed as yes.
Can I fish at Lake Monona?: Lake Monona has 2 documented boat landings in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Seasons, size and bag limits, and whether you need a license are set by Wisconsin's fish and wildlife agency, so check its current regulations before you go.