There’s plenty of options to get paddling on Lake Monona

By Beth Czech, Eastside News

When my family and I go canoeing, we usually stay close to home — not because we don’t enjoy paddling farther — but because we haven’t yet run out of things to love about the east side of Lake Monona and its connected waterways.

With a clunky old fishing canoe, a cart to haul it and two little kids in tow, trips are limited in distance and difficulty — but not enjoyment. We avoid open water on Lake Monona during peak season and prefer the calm of shorelines, rivers, creeks and canals. Here are some great easy spots to paddle and launch from on the east side and around Monona.

Yahara River through the Isthmus — a different way to enjoy familiar territory

This stretch of the Yahara River bisects the Isthmus, and it’s fascinating to cruise past familiar sights from a different vantage point. Pass under 11 bridges on this mile-long stretch, including pedestrian bridges, train bridges and East Washington Avenue.

The boat traffic is offset by a no-wake zone. Heading north, portage at the Tenney Park Lock to enter Lake Mendota or go southeast to explore the northeast shore of Lake Monona. Launch at:

• Yahara Place Park
• The stone steps along Riverside Drive
• Tenney Park boat launch

Yahara River south of Lake Monona — for an easy adventure

The stretch of the Yahara River into Upper Mud Lake and the Capital Springs Recreation Area is our favorite place to paddle, with tons of cool inflows, channels and islands to explore. Paddle south down the Yahara in a no-wake zone with a constant stream of boats and stop for ice cream at the city of Monona’s Grand Crossing Park.

Once you’re south of the Beltline, choose your adventure. Head to Gilligan’s Island to tie up at the sand bar with the party boats, continue into Upper Mud Lake and the mouth of Lake Waubesa or turn west at Gilligan’s Island and escape the motorboat traffic — the water trail going into Nine Springs Creek and the Capital Springs Recreation Area is the best kept secret in the area! Shimmy under a low railroad bridge and follow winding streams. If conditions are right, you can paddle all the way up to U.S. Highway 14. Launch at:

• Grand Crossing Park
• Lottes Park
• Paunack Park (with a cart)

Starkweather Creek — east side vibes without boat traffic

Starkweather Creek has the novelty of paddling familiar neighborhoods without all the motorboat traffic of the Yahara River. Unfortunately, because it gets choked with weeds and deadfall, you may hit a dead end earlier than you’d like. Higher water and shoulder seasons can be the most reliable. Still, it’s magic to paddle through Olbrich Gardens and under the series of pedestrian bridges from Olbrich through O.B. Sherry Park.

Where the creek splits at O.B. Sherry is a highlight, and from here you can paddle as far as you can make it up the east and west forks. Launch at:

• Olbrich Park boat launch (gardens side)
• The canoe slide at the dead end of James Street

Southeastern part of Lake Monona — paddle without working hard

When we want to meander on the water, we poke around the islands and canals on Wiicawak Bay. Belle Isle on Winnequah Point has a series of canals that are lovely and low key — the low bridges limit motorboat traffic.

Cross Wiicawak Bay through a canal into the larger Lake Monona for a fabulous Capitol view, hug the shoreline along Winnequah Point and admire the homes on the bluff, then duck back into the next canal when you’re done with the wind and boat traffic. Launch at:

• Tonyawatha Trail boat launch
• Winnequah Park at the end of Healy Lane
• Frost Woods Beach (with a cart)

If you don’t have your own vessel for paddling, rentals are available at Olbrich and Brittingham parks.

As a reminder, Dane County launch permits are required to use and park at the improved boat ramps in Madison and Monana. The carry-in sites away from the boat launches do not require a permit.

Visit the Dane County Parks for a wealth of boating and lake access information.