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 Lakes, Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Wisconsin 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 mengleson@wisconsinlakes.org 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