UPDATE: Wake Surfing Bill hearing date set for August 26
We’ve just received news that a wake-surfing industry-backed bill is expected to be introduced next week.
Wake Surfing Bill Alert
Urgent Action Needed: An Industry-backed Wake Surfing Bill is coming to Madison.
Video Coverage: 2025 Six-County Lakes & Rivers Meeting
Did you miss our 2025 Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting? No problem — view the full event video, speaker presentations plus event photos.
2025 six-county meeting presentations & photos
View photos and presentations from our recent six-county lakes & rivers meeting held on July 11th at Nicolet College.
VCLRA’s Summer 2025 newsletter has taken flight!
Read about our six-county lakes and rivers meeting on Friday, July 11th, an update on enhanced wakesurfing, VCLRA's Northwoods Businesses for Clean Water (NBCW) initiative, celebrating our night skies and more…
Public Comment Opportunity for WI Wake Boating Policy
There is a public comment opportunity for WI Wake Boating Policy in Oneida and Vilas Counties on May 5th and 6th to Senate President Mary Felzkowski and Representative Rob Swearingen.
VCLRA’s Winter 24-25 newsletter is out!
Read about our revised membership process, a new state-wide coalition on wake boats, climate change, Blue Heron award recipients and more…
Video and photos from 2024 six-county meeting
Missed our 2024 Northwoods Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting in July? No problem — view the video plus event photos online.
Our Summer newsletter is out!
IN THIS ISSUE: News about the the July 12th six-county lakes and rivers conference, impacts on walleye fisheries from climate change, an update on the citizen resolutions to regulate wake boats, more.
Wakeboats now regulated in Vermont; WI overwhelmingly favors restrictions in WCC poll
Vermont’s new wakeboat regulations are now in effect. Here in Wisconsin, participants in the annual poll by the Wisconsin Conservation Congress overwhelmingly supported statewide restrictions on wakeboats and the regulation of ballasted wakesports.
Annual Spring Hearing and Public Input Opportunity: Wakesurfing
The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will once again offer their annual opportunity for the public to provide input on a variety of questions, including wake boat regulation, online starting at noon April 10 to noon on April 13, 2024.
VCLRA’s 2024 winter newsletter available
Celebrating 30 years of protecting our Vilas waters, Wakesurfing legislation; Vilas short-term rental ordinance; Northern Lakes Toolbox; How trees benefit lakes; Blue Heron Award and more!
Photo: WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU
A compelling new wakesports proposal
Sen. André Jacque (R-DePere) entered the wakesports fray last week, releasing a proposal that would manage wakesports on Wisconsin waters under terms largely in line with those proposed in recent popular Wisconsin Conservation Congress resolutions.
Observations from recent wakesurfing bill listening sessions
I attended the Eagle River and Rhinelander listening sessions. I could not get into the Minocqua session. All sessions were standing room only! The session interest and attendance was impressive!
Wakesurfing regulators host public input sessions Nov. 13
Rep. Rob Swearingen and Sen. Mary Felzkowski, who have drafted wakesurfing legislation as reported in our earlier posts, will be hosting listening sessions on Monday, Nov. 13 to hear public input.
UPDATE from Wisconsin Lakes on wakeboat legislation
Wisconsin Lakes released this ACTION ALERT yesterday regarding regarding the proposed wakesport bill LRB-3518
Rushed legislation on wakeboats under consideration
State-wide legislation regulating wakesurfing with simply a 200-foot minimum distance from shore criterion for wake boats is under consideration. This would be an attempt to preempt research and discussion by all stakeholders, which has been underway here in Wisconsin and in several other states.
2023 Six-County Lakes and Rivers Meeting Video
View the video recording of the 2023 Northwoods six-county lakes and rivers meeting, which featured a balance of learning and discussion of key issues affecting our lakes and rivers.
2023 6-county lakes & rivers workshop
REVISED: This year's 6-county lakes & rivers meeting will take place on July 14th and include updates on Wisconsin legislation, invasives and other issues of interest to our lake community, plus highlight the role of law enforcement on maintaining the health and enjoyment of our Northwoods lakes and rivers.
WCC Spring Hearing accepting input on regulating wake surfing
VCLRA is again requesting your input to the 2023 Wisconsin Conservation Congress Annual Spring Hearing on REGULATING WAKE SURFING ON WISCONSIN LAKES AND RIVERS. Input can be provided online from noon April 10 to noon April 13.