Madison Area Lakes
The Yahara chain and surrounding lakes in the Madison area, urban lakes with active monitoring and restoration.
Ways to pick a Madison Area Lakes lake
Cleanest water
- Silver Lake — 10 ft clarity
- Lake Waubesa — 3.2 ft clarity
- Dutch Hollow Lake — 15 ft clarity
- Silver Lake West Basin — 8.8 ft clarity
Deepest lakes
- Lake Mendota — 83 ft
- Swan Lake — 82 ft
- Devils Lake — 47 ft
- Silver Lake — 42 ft
Documented game fish
- Silver Lake — 5 species
- Lake Waubesa — 7 species
- Dutch Hollow Lake — 2 species
- Silver Lake West Basin — 5 species
Cleanest Lakes in Madison Area Lakes
Other Lake Regions
Plan a trip in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's cleanest lakes, ranked on agency measurements
Fish species and the cleanest lakes across Wisconsin
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Madison Area Lakes area has 42 lakes with water-quality records from state and federal monitoring. 28 of them have a clarity reading and 20 have documented fish species.
Cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals around Madison Area Lakes are on the map below with live availability. A lake with low nutrient and algae readings is the better swim and cabin pick when water quality is part of the trip.
The lakes with the lowest nutrient and algae readings lead the table above. Each lake page shows its own phosphorus, chlorophyll-a and clarity readings beside the EPA condition class; none of it is a same-day swim clearance.
Where to stay near Madison Area Lakes
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Madison Area Lakes — then explore the interactive map to find a place to stay close to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Madison Area Lakes
Prices for Oct 16–18, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
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Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.