Waterfront Property Owners in the State Backing a Petition to Decontaminate Wake Boats When Moving Between Lakes

Tuesday, July 29th, 2025 -- 8:01 AM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) More than 100 waterfront property owners in Wisconsin are backing a petition to require decontamination of wake boats moving between lakes to prevent the spread of invasive species.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, wake boat owners say more focus should be placed on education and resources to decontaminate all boats.

Wake boats are designed to enhance a boat’s wake through the use of ballast tanks or other design features, creating large waves that people can surf. Jim Olson, a Madison attorney with LawtonCates, filed the petition with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on June 12.

State regulations require all boats to drain water from their bilge, live wells or ballast tanks. However, Olson and other petitioners say research and wake boat manuals show their ballast systems can’t be fully drained.

“Those boats that go from lake to lake, there is a risk that they will spread invasives,” Olson said. Ballast tanks have been identified as a major pathway for spreading invasive species like zebra mussels, which were introduced to the Great Lakes in the 1980s through the ballast water of oceangoing ships.

A DNR spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the petition and working on a response. Last year, Olson filed a similar petition with the Wisconsin DNR that proposed crafting rules to require decontamination of all wake boats regardless of whether they use a single lake. More than a year later, the DNR denied the request in April.

The revised petition proposes emergency and permanent rules that would require boat operators to sign a written declaration designating which lake they plan to use for the calendar year. They would have to file it with the DNR and local clerk where the lake is located, as well as keep a copy available in the boat for inspection.

Those operating in multiple lakes would also be required to keep a written declaration that their ballast systems meet the DNR’s aquatic invasive species prevention guidelines for wake boats, which includes flushing with hot water.

Studies have shown hot water is effective at killing invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels. Steve Radtke, a wake boat owner and member of the Wisconsin Watersports Coalition, said he opposes the petition.

“There’s good guidelines to minimize and reduce the risk and/or even eliminate the risk of moving (aquatic invasive species),” Radtke said. “I would expect wake boat owners that do trailer their boats and traverse lakes to adhere to all those.”

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