Boating And Lake Rules

HOURS & SPEED LIMITS

  • Sunset* to 10:00 AM is always Slow-No-Wake.
  • The speed limit is always Slow-No-Wake within 200 feet of the shoreline.
  • The speed limit is always Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of any other boat, marked swim area, raft, pier, buoyed area, or skin diver's flag.

*Note: See Sunrise/Sunset schedule in the booklet of Wisconsin Boating Regulations supplied with your boat registration. Sunset does not mean "dark."


GENERAL MOTORBOAT OPERATION

  • The traffic lane includes all waters of Powers Lake greater than 200 feet from the shoreline or as posted by navigation aids or identifying buoys.
  • Operating a motorboat repeatedly in a circuitous course within 200 feet around any other watercraft or person swimming is prohibited.
  • All boats operating from sunset to sunrise or when weather conditions require must use required lights.

AGE RESTRICTIONS (Motorboats & PWCs)

Who May Operate a Motorboat

  • No one under the age of 10.
  • 10 & 11 years may operate a motorboat (not a PWC) with parent or guardian on board.
  • 12 to 15 years may operate a motorboat if, either:
    • Accompanied by a parent or guardian on board
    • or they have a Boating Safety Certificate
  • Anyone born on or after 1/1/89 and over 12 years old may operate a PWC only if they have completed a boating safety course accepted by the DNR.

Boater Safety Certificate Must Be On Board


WATER SKIING

Applies to all watercraft towing a person on water skis, aquaplanes, tubes or similar devices.

  • Tow boat must have a driver and a competent observer on board.
  • Prohibited before 10:00 AM and after sunset.
  • Prohibited at all times within 200 feet of shore.
  • Prohibited within 100 feet of any swim area, raft, pier, buoyed area, PWC, skin diver's flag or any occupied, anchored boat.
  • Must operate in a counter-clockwise pattern in the traffic lane.
  • Persons being towed shall wear a USCG approved PFD of Type I, II, III or V.
  • Tow lines may not exceed 100 feet.

A maximum of 2 persons may be pulled behind a boat.

No more than 2 tow lines per boat; no more than one person per tow line for water-skiing or similar sport. An exception is allowed for 2 persons on one tow line when using a device designated to carry 2 or more people.


PARASAILING or PARAGLIDING

Are prohibited without a special permit.


PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

Jet skis, Wave Runners, or any type of personal watercraft must adhere to the same rules as other watercraft plus the following:

  • See Age Restrictions above.
  • All persons riding a PWC must wear USCG approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD).
  • May never be operated within 100 feet of a boat, person or tow rope of a motorboat engaged in towing a person on water-skis, aquaplanes, etc.
  • Must operate a Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of any other boat or PWC.
  • May never be operated between sunset and sunrise.
  • Must be designated to seat 3 people to allow towing a person on water-skis, aquaplane, tube, or similar device.

SWIMMING

Swimming is permitted more than 200 feet from shore from sunrise to sunset if it is:

  • Within 25 feet of a manned unanchored boat or
  • Within 50 feet of a manned anchored boat

Swimming is prohibited:

  • More than 100 feet from shore or more than 50 feet from any pier, raft, or wharf, unless within marked authorized swim areas.
  • From unmanned, unanchored boats.
  • More than 200 feet from shore during the hours from sunset to sunrise.

MARKING BUOYS

It is unlawful to tamper with, move, or anchor to any marking buoys.

Know Your Buoys

  • Shoal, Rock Bar, or other Hazard indicates a shallow area or submerged hazard in the vicinity. Buoy may be marking a single small hazard or a large area – up to a 100 foot radius around the buoy. Some hazard buoys are in groups to indicate a series of submerged hazards.
  • Slow-No-Wake is defined as that speed at which a boat moves as slowly as possible while maintaining steerage control.
  • Slow-No-Wake Bays are marked bays.
  • Swim Area indicates that no boats are allowed within roped area. Slow-No-Wake within 100 feet of a marked swim area.

SKI SAFETY MAP


HIGH WATER – SLOW-NO-WAKE

  • No-Wake restrictions will be posted when necessary.
  • The second level of restriction will add all of Jefferson Bay as Slow-No-Wake.
  • The first level of restriction will be a 400 foot Slow-No-Wake lane around the entire lake.

PIERS, RAFTS, and MOORING BUOYS

All piers, rafts, mooring buoys, and any watercraft attached to them must be within the riparian zone of their property owner.

Piers

Rafts

  • Rafts must be located within 100 feet of the shoreline.

Mooring Buoys

  • Mooring buoys must be located within 150 feet of the shoreline.

Download a printable rules flyer and lake map