Wisconsin Lakes and the Last Wilderness Alliance Call for Urgent Action to Protect Shorelines and People from Enhanced Wakes
Wake-surfing boats produce intentionally large wakes that require far more distance to dissipate than those of other watercraft.
Under current Wisconsin law, personal watercraft must operate at “slow no-wake” speed within 200 feet of shore, while other motorboats must do so within 100 feet.
These distances were not designed with wake-surfing in mind, and 100 feet is far too close for the tsunami-like wakes produced by today’s wake boats.
Why Call for 700 Feet
A minimum of 700 feet provides:
- 500 feet for wake dissipation, the minimum distance defined by research studies
- Plus a 200-foot-wide strip along the shore for all other boaters to safely navigate without being subject to extreme wakes
An even greater distance is recommended because:
- The newest wakeboat tested was a 2019 model; newer models can generate larger, more powerful wakes, requiring even more distance to dissipate (for example, Malibu’s 2026 model delivers 65% more power than the 2019 test boats).
- More area should be reserved for non-enhanced wake activities, so anglers, paddlers, skiers, swimmers, pontooners, sailors, and others can safely enjoy most of the lake free from the threat of dangerous wakes.
Outdated Laws, Modern Needs
Wisconsin’s rules on hazardous wakes were written decades before wake surfing existed. With today’s surf boats and their more powerful technology, current standards no longer provide adequate protection for shoreline habitat, wildlife, or other lake users.
A Balanced, Forward-Looking Solution
Requiring wake surfing to occur more than 700 feet from shore is a reasonable compromise. It protects other boaters and near-shoreline users, safeguards sensitive habitat, and ensures that Wisconsin’s lakes remain enjoyable for everyone—now and in the future.
We appreciate the leadership of these Wisconsin organizations. Each month, we meet with these groups and others like them to keep up to date on work across the continent to protect our lakes and streams from boat wake damage.