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Will Your Lake Organization Join the Call?

Groups around Wisconsin are coalescing to call for reasonable limitations on enhanced wakes to protect the safety and environment of Wisconsin’s lakes

By Wisconsin Lakes staff

Wisconsin Lakes is partnering with other Wisconsin nonprofit organizations and private businesses to call for statewide standards to limit the impact on the safety and enjoyment of lake users as well as on the lake environment from watercraft using ballast tanks and other devices to enhance their wakes.

Your lake organization is welcome and encouraged to join this coalition as well!

Wisconsin LakesLakes at Stake WisconsinWisconsin’s Green FireWisconsin Wildlife Federation, and Last Wilderness Alliance all joined forces to develop a platform that we believe protects Wisconsin’s lake resources without being overly restrictive of the right to recreate on our lakes. This core group has been joined by many other groups who agree with our principles and wish to see something move forward in the next legislative session.


Specifically, we are calling for:

  • Local Control – Local municipalities’ existing right to enact or maintain local ordinances that are more restrictive than these state minimums shall be preserved
  • 700 Feet From Shore – Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur at least 700’ from the shoreline.
  • 30-Foot Depth – Wake-enhanced boating activities must be done in depths of no less than 30 feet.
  • Prevent Invasive Species in Ballast Tanks – Boats moving from lake to lake must have proof of decontaminated ballast tanks before entering lakes

To join the coalition:

Please note: At this time, we are only looking for organization or businesses

Simply send an email to either  or cody@wiwf.org with a statement indicating that you wish to sign on and a logo (preferably in jpeg format) if you wish. Your organization will then be listed on all future press releases and communications put out by the group.

Current coalition members as of December 5, 2024 are:

Big Cedar Lake Property Owners Association

Boot Lake Association

Boulder Lake Association

Boulder Lake Advancement Association

Buffalo County Conservation Alliance

Burnett County Lakes and Rivers Association

Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association

Dane County Conservation League

Diamond Lakers Inc

First Muskies Inc

Friends of Lake Mohawksin

Friends of the Black River

Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest

Friends of Vernon Marsh

Geneva Lake Association

Great Bass Lake Improvement Association

Headwaters Chapter, Muskies Inc

Izaak Walton League of America, Wisconsin Division

Lake George Lakes Association

Lakes at Stake Wisconsin

Last Wilderness Alliance

Little Sissibagama Shore Owners Association

Mondovi Conservation Club

Muskies, Inc. Between the Lakes Chapter 20

Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.

Oneida County Clean Waters Action (OCCWA)

Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association

Pickerel Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District

River Alliance of Wisconsin

Rock Lake Improvement Association

Round Lake Management District

Rutabaga Paddlesports

Sawyer County Lakes Forum

Three Lakes Waterfront Association

Town of Schleswig Sanitary District 1 – Cedar Lake

Twin Lakes Preservation Association

Walleyes for Tomorrow

Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association (WCLRA)

Winnebagoland Conservation Alliance

Wisconsin’s Green Fire

Wisconsin Lakes

Wisconsin Trappers Association

Wisconsin Trout Unlimited

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association

Yahara Fishing Club