Lake Wingra, the smallest of the five major lakes in Dane County, (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa), is bordered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum on the south and west and the City of Madison on the remaining shoreline. The lake is considered an important fishery and is known for spring runs of large muskies. Madison's marvelous Henry Vilas Zoo, Wingra Boats, Wingra Park, and Edgewood College are located on the Lake's northern shoreline. storically, In Wisconsin history, Native Americans made extensive use of the lands surrounding Lake Wingra, which takes its name from the word for "duck" in the language (4 comments)