Best Lakes for Kayaking Near Madison
Wisconsin
9 kayaking lakes within driving distance of Madison, Wisconsin, ranked by water quality and kayaking-specific filters. Filtered for grade A, B, or C water quality, public access, and ideal paddling size (30-3,000 acres).
A moderate cluster of 9 graded lakes lies within reach of Madison, averaging a grade of B. Lake Wingra (B) is the cleanest of the set.
Filtered for kayaking, the nearby-lake list narrows further. kayaking-specific signals — fish species, public access, depth profile, motor-boat congestion — interact with the letter grade in different ways depending on the use case.
| # | Lake | County | Grade | Distance | Clarity | Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Wingra | Dane | B | 1.8 mi | 4 ft | 14 ft |
| 2 | Lake Waubesa | Dane | B | 6 mi | 3.2 ft | 38 ft |
| 3 | Lake Ripley | Jefferson | B | 21.2 mi | 9 ft | 44 ft |
| 4 | Red Cedar Lake | Jefferson | B | 21.9 mi | 4 ft | 6 ft |
| 5 | Rock Lake | Jefferson | B | 23.7 mi | 12 ft | 60 ft |
| 6 | Silver Lake | Columbia | B | 33.3 mi | 8.8 ft | 42 ft |
| 7 | Bakkens Pond | Sauk | B | 37.9 mi | 2.5 ft | - |
| 8 | Clear Lake | Rock | C | 28.5 mi | 2.8 ft | 12 ft |
| 9 | White Mound Lake | Sauk | C | 39.9 mi | 5.5 ft | 16 ft |
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.