Wisconsin Lakes Coalition policy positions

MADISON — A statewide coalition focused on protecting Wisconsin’s lakes has released its policy positions in preparation for a statewide educational campaign to preserve lakes, according to a Sept. 16 press release. The coalition represents Wisconsin fishing experts/enthusiasts, advocates for local control, lake property landowners, sailors, and others who are concerned with stopping the spread of invasive species.

The coalition members are concerned about the devastating impacts of wake-enhanced boating on the state’s glacial lakes and other waterways and include First Chapter Muskies, Inc., Walleyes for Tomorrow, Headwater Chapter Muskies, Inc., Diamond Lakers, Inc., Trout Unlimited Inc., Yahara Fishing Club, Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association, Lakes at Stake Wisconsin, Last Wilderness Alliance, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Wisconsin Lakes Association, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, and Sawyer County Lakes Forum, Buffalo County Conservation Alliance, and Mondovi Conservation Club.

The coalition has coalesced around a set of principles it believes are essential to enact statewide minimums to protect our lakes and rivers.

The coalition’s principles include:

• 700 Feet From Shore — Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur at least 700’ from any shoreline.

• 30-Foot Depth — Wake-enhanced boating activities should occur in water 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

• Local Control — Local municipalities’ existing right to enact and maintain local ordinances that are more restrictive than these state minimums shall be preserved

“Wisconsin Trout Unlimited recognizes the need for reasonable restrictions on the use of wakeboard boats to protect our water resources and to provide recreational opportunities where it’s deemed appropriate,” said Mike Kuhr, advocacy chair for Wisconsin Trout Unlimited.

James Olson, Chapter 8 president of Muskies, Inc. and a former legal Counsel to Muskies, Inc., said that as an muskie fisherman for 75 years, “Although I am concerned about the extreme danger of enhanced wakes to muskie fishermen who stand in the boat to cast, the biggest issue is the fish habitat destruction caused by scouring lake bottoms and spreading invasive species.”

Walleyes For Tomorrow Chair Michael Arrowwood said the coalition and package of policy recommendations reflect what Wisconsin water recreationists want and need to ensure recreational opportunities and Wisconsin waters are being protected.

“Walleye angling in Wisconsin alone is a tremendously huge sport and ensuring walleye and other fish habitat is protected is key,” Arrowwood said.

Independent reviews and studies show the need for a large buffer to protect lake beds and shorelines. The most recent and most comprehensive on-the-water field testing of wake boats is a 2022 peer-reviewed study by the University of Minnesota. The study shows the increased energy and power held in waves created by these boats during wake-enhanced operations, and how it differs substantially from other watercraft.

“The State of Wisconsin needs these minimum standards to protect our shared resource, and at the same time, preserving local control for greater standards is a key concept,” said Hans Meyer, vice president of Lakes at Stake Wisconsin. “People who live in the area, work in the area and nearby, and raise their families in the area should have control in protecting their local lakes.”

Cody Kamrowski, executive director of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, said that beyond damage to lake bottoms and shorelines, the federation is very concerned about the

potential transfer of invasive species between lakes if the ballasts on these boats are not properly decontaminated.

“Especially considering invasive Quagga mussels were found last month in Lake Geneva, a first for a Wisconsin inland lake,” Kamrowski said.

Recent reports have surfaced regarding the removal of local control and implementing a buffer of 300 feet for wake-enhanced boating. Both positions are strongly opposed by the coalition. The ability to protect and preserve Wisconsin’s unique glacial lakes and rivers from damage and hazardous wake caused by enhanced wake sports can only be achieved via the coalition’s four pillars outlined above.