Open Water Swimming Madison Area

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2016-06-26 4:05 PM

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Subject: Open Water Swimming Madison Area
It's been awhile since I did some open water swimming around Madison. Are the usual spots still okay - off Vilas Park beach? by the boat ramp east of Monona Terrace? Fireman's Park in Verona?

I could go north to Devil's Lake which seems to always be good.

Any others I'm missing? Just looking to swim 20-30min easy to moderate.

Thanks,
Don

2016-07-12 1:40 PM
in reply to: dar89

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swimming Madison Area
Anywhere on Wingra is un-swimable. The "swim"are at Vilas is ok but it has been mowed. The weeds in the rest of the lake are so bad you'll look like you got in a fight with a bear after swimming there.
Monona bay is still decent. I put in at Brittingham on Saturday 7/9 and swam out under the bridge and did a lap to the ski ramp. Once it hit the big lake it was quite nice. getting a little warm but still clean.
I've avoided Devil's Lake this year as it's got the "itch". I don't want to mess with that.
2016-07-12 10:41 PM
in reply to: pwoolson

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Subject: RE: Open Water Swimming Madison Area
Originally posted by pwoolson

Anywhere on Wingra is un-swimable. The "swim"are at Vilas is ok but it has been mowed. The weeds in the rest of the lake are so bad you'll look like you got in a fight with a bear after swimming there.
Monona bay is still decent. I put in at Brittingham on Saturday 7/9 and swam out under the bridge and did a lap to the ski ramp. Once it hit the big lake it was quite nice. getting a little warm but still clean.
I've avoided Devil's Lake this year as it's got the "itch". I don't want to mess with that.


Thanks for the info. I never thought of Brittingham, I had always used the ski boat ramp area.

I ended up going to Devil's Lake July 4th - bad idea due to crowds! - and the water was warm but clean and clear. I heard about the cases of swimmer's itch, but luckily we didn't have any issues.
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