See all 3 routes on Yahara River
Wisconsin | South Central Wisconsin
Yahara RiverBabcock County Park to Fish Camp County Park
A 4.25-mile beginner-friendly, slow-no-wake Yahara water-trail route from Babcock County Park on Lake Waubesa to the accessible canoe launch at Fish Camp County Park on Lake Kegonsa.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
A short, accessible Yahara water-trail day from Babcock to Fish Camp. It is flat and slow but lake-influenced, with the Babcock lock/portage, wind, wakes, cold water, and same-day launch conditions more important than a narrow flow window.
Access map
Put-in
Babcock County Park boat launchUse the marked public boat/canoe launch at Babcock and the dedicated accessible canoe/kayak launch at Fish Camp; do not launch from residential or private shoreline.
Take-out
Fish Camp County Park canoe/kayak launchCheck Babcock lock status and portage conditions before launch. Never approach the dam or spillway.
Road shuttle
Stage the Fish Camp County Park take-out first, then shuttle to the Babcock County Park boat launch. Dane County's paddle program describes the named launch and park staging sequence.
Additional access notes
- Fish Camp's canoe launch and park maps can change; confirm current parking, restrooms, fees, and launch availability before staging vehicles.
More route and safety guidance
- The route is exposed to wind, wakes, storms, and lake traffic. Wear a properly fitted PFD and carry a whistle, phone, and a way to exit at the named parks.
- The direct Exchange Street gauge is useful context, but the documented 350 cfs level is not a guarantee. Inspect water, algae, floating debris, lock status, and launch conditions before departure.
- Stay within public access areas and do not use private residential banks as rest stops. Fish Camp has a dedicated canoe/kayak launch; Babcock has a public boat launch and campground facilities.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Yahara River at Exchange Street Bridge at McFarland, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
Look for recent access, obstruction and hazard observations. Context photos may show a different part of the river.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Yahara River at Exchange Street Bridge at McFarland, WI |
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| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 350 cfs |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Quiet Paddling Wisconsin McFarland-to-Fish Camp observed flow |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route-specific public programBabcock County Park to Fish Camp County Park, about 4.25 mi
Dane County Parks documents the exact route, named boat/canoe launches, beginner difficulty, shuttle, and PFD requirement.
- Public endpoint and camping evidenceBabcock launch/campground to Fish Camp accessible canoe launch
Official Dane County maps document Babcock's boat launch, campground, canoe portage, and Fish Camp's separate canoe/kayak launch; Babcock camping is an option before or after the day route, not on-route camping.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 05429510 at Exchange Street bridge, McFarland
Dane County hydrology documentation identifies 05429510 as the Exchange Street discharge/stage station in the route reach; use the live station for current context and trend.
- Conservative minimum-only reference350 cfs observed McFarland paddle level
Quiet Paddling Wisconsin reports a successful Jaeger Park-to-Fish Camp paddle at about 350 cfs. This is an observed community reference, not a hard safety guarantee or a full station-specific ladder.
- Distinctness checkUpper Babcock-to-Fish Camp water trail is separate from existing lower Yahara routes
Existing scored Yahara routes use the Fulton 05430175 gauge from Highway N/Highway 59 downstream; this route ends at Fish Camp before that corridor and uses direct 05429510.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Yahara River
All 3Nearby routes within 75 miles
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