Making Waves: Wake Boats Stir Controversy on Wisconsin Lakes
Wake boats are growing in popularity on Wisconsin’s lakes. While many enjoy the thrill of wakesurfing and wakeboarding, others worry about the impacts on shorelines, aquatic habitats, and public safety. In the absence of statewide regulation, a growing number of towns are passing their own ordinances to manage wake-enhanced boating on local waters.
Wake boats are specialized powerboats fitted with ballast tanks that fill with water to increase the boat’s weight and displacement, which creates large surfable wakes. These waves—often two to three feet high—allow riders to wakeboard, wakesurf, or even surf without a tow rope. However, there are concerns that on smaller or shallower lakes, the big wakes and waves can erode shorelines, harm natural habitats, and stir up—and spread—invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil.
A University of Minnesota study in 2022 found that wake boats in surf mode create wakes 3-12 times greater than ski boats. This means that wake boats should stay at least 600 feet from shore to give the waves enough space to dissipate to levels similar to that of a typical ski boat operating 200 feet from shore.
“We have seen only a few wake boats on Gilmore Lake,” said Fran McCloskey, President of the Gilmore Lake Association. “But their potential impact is a concern because Gilmore Lake is a small and relatively narrow lake and less than eight feet deep in many areas.”
The large wakes and propeller from these powerful boats can disrupt fish habitats by uprooting aquatic vegetation that serves as a spawning ground essential for maintaining fish populations. Studies show up to 40% plant biomass loss in shallow zones from wake boat activity. Wake boats can also erode shorelines significantly faster than natural waves, resulting in destabilized banks, increased sedimentation, and reduced water quality and clarity.
Wake Boat Regulations in Minong and Wisconsin
Neither the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or the Town of Minong has established any regulations specifically regarding the use of wake boats. These watercraft are currentlysubject to general boating laws that apply to allmotorized vessels:
Observe no-wake zones. All boats must operate at a slow-no-wake speed (the slowest speed to maintain steerage) within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier, raft, or restricted area on any lake.
Avoid hazardous wakes. It is illegal to operate a motorboat in a way that creates a hazardous wake or wash that endangers other boats or lake users.
Prevent spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). All boats must drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells immediately after leaving a waterbody to help prevent the spread of AIS.
The lack of state action has prompted 34 Wisconsin towns to pass their own ordinances on wake boating, including several near Minong.
Hayward prohibits boats from creating “elevated wakes” – waves over 24 inches high – within 700 feet of any shoreline, dock, pier or raft. The law bans the use of ballast tanks, mechanical hydrofoils, uneven loading, and operating a transition (plowing) speed on all lakes within the town, regardless of size.
Chicog, located about 10 minutes west of Minong, has passed an ordinance restricting wake boats in surf mode on Lower McKenzie Lake. This law prohibits use of ballast tanks/bags, wake-enhancing fins and any operation that causes the boat to ride in an artificially bow-high manner that increases wake size.
“The Minong Town Lakes Committee is encouraging the town of Minong to adopt wake boat laws similar to what neighboring communities have passed,” said Fran.
According to the Milwaukee Sentinel, a Wakesports Reform Coalition is calling on the state legislature to place statewide restrictions on wake boats. The coalition has 76 member groups, including the Last Wilderness Alliance, Walleyes for Tomorrow, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, Wisconsin Lakes, and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The groups support rules requiring wake boating to take place at least 700 feet from shore and more than 500 feet from other boats or lake users.
Most significantly for Gilmore Lake, the coalition is seeking to ban wake boating in waters less than 30 feet deep. The deepest spot on Gilmore is only 36 feet. The lake’s average depth is 16 feet and many areas of the lake are less than six feet deep.
