Wisconsin Lakes

A federal court has thrown out a lawsuit challenging a northern Wisconsin community's ban on wake boating. Read more at the link in the comments.

Have Ideas for Wisconsin's Surface Water Grant Program?

The Wisconsin DNR is currently accepting public comments on the Surface Water Grant Program guidance. These grants have helped fund lake management plans, aquatic invasive species control, water quality monitoring, shoreline restoration, education programs, and many other projects across the state.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/SurfaceWater.html

Get ready for a great day of networking and learning from experts in their field!

Join Us at the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference!
https://nwwislakesconference.org/

Check out the website above to see a full schedule of topics/speakers.

https://fox11online.com/news/state/wisconsin-dnr-waives-state-park-fees-fishing-licenses-trail-passes-for-free-fun-weekend-department-natural-resources-june-admission

Wisconsin DNR waives state park fees, fishing licenses, trail passes for Free Fun Weekend Head outdoors and enjoy all it has to offer during Free Fun Weekend, hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Time is Running out!!! Sign up by June 7th.......

Join Us at the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference!
https://nwwislakesconference.org/

Check out the website above to see a full schedule of topics/speakers.

Join Us at the Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference!
https://nwwislakesconference.org/

Whether you're a lake association leader, waterfront property owner, volunteer monitor, elected official, or simply passionate about Wisconsin lakes, this conference is for you!

📅 June 12, 2026
📍 Hayward, Wisconsin

Learn from experts and connect with others who care about protecting and improving our lakes. Just a few of the topics that will be covered include:

🔹 Understanding Water Level Fluctuations in Lakes
🔹 Amplifying Impact and Building Community Through Lake Organizations
🔹 Lake Sturgeon Restoration and Its Cultural Significance
🔹 Aquatic Invasive Species Updates
🔹 Shoreland Stewardship & Lake Management

This is a great opportunity to gain practical knowledge, share experiences, and help ensure healthy lakes for future generations.

We hope to see you in Hayward on June 12th!

Wisconsin’s lakes are among our state’s greatest treasures—but they need strong advocates to protect them.

By becoming an individual member of Wisconsin Lakes, you help support education, lake stewardship, and advocacy on issues that impact lake property owners, anglers, boaters, and everyone who enjoys Wisconsin’s waters.

Join a statewide network of people who care about protecting and preserving our lakes for future generations. Every membership makes a difference.

Become a member today and help keep Wisconsin’s waters healthy, accessible, and enjoyable for all.

https://wisconsinlakes.org/membership/

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board recently sent a controversial proposed open-water duck hunting rule back for additional public input instead of approving it outright. The proposal would remove current concealment requirements that help direct hunting activity toward more natural shoreline areas and away from developed lakeshore.

Wisconsin Lakes submitted a letter of opposition and testified during the hearing process, raising concerns that the emergency rule process unnecessarily fast-tracked the proposal without adequate input from potentially affected groups, including lake property owners, anglers, boaters, and other lake users.

The proposed rule change would eliminate current requirements that hunters be at least 50% concealed by natural vegetation rooted to the lake bottom. Opponents argue the change could potentially expand open-water hunting opportunities from the current 16 authorized lakes to more than 15,000 Wisconsin lakes, while also eliminating the current 500-foot minimum distance-from-shore requirement.

Wisconsin Lakes is a statewide nonprofit organization representing lake associations, lake districts, and individuals dedicated to protecting and improving Wisconsin’s lakes and waterways. The organization regularly reviews proposed legislation and administrative rules that may impact lakes, shoreline property owners, recreation, water quality, and public use, and frequently provides testimony and public input during the rulemaking process.

See original story: https://www.outdoornews.com/2026/05/08/open-water-duck-hunting-rule-kicked-back-to-public-by-wisconsin-natural-resources-board/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Crew 16 of the Wisconsin Lake Leaders Institute met this week for their first of three sessions at Daycholah Center in Green Lake. These lake volunteers and professionals are enhancing their skills and broadening their network to help protect and preserve our shared waters.