Enhanced-Wake Boating Restricted on Windigo Lake
SAWYER COUNTY, WI - 7/15/2025 - The Town of Bass Lake has updated its enhanced-wake boating ordinance to add a minimum depth standard. As a result, enhanced-wake activity (including wakesurf-style “elevated wake” operation) is not permitted on Windigo Lake, because there is no location on the lake that meets both the required distance-from-shore and minimum-depth criteria.
What changed
The Town of Bass Lake’s Motorboat Wake Protection Area Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2018-10-08) already restricts operating a motorboat to create an elevated wake within 700 feet of shorelines and other designated areas. In July 2025, the Town Board approved an amendment to update Section 6 to include an additional restriction tied to water depth (30 feet). The ordinance title was also updated to “Enhanced Wake Protection.”
- Source: Town of Bass Lake ordinance language (Ordinance No. 2018-10-08 Amended 2025-06-09): View amended ordinance PDF
- Source: Town of Bass Lake ordinance language (Ordinance No. 2018-10-08): View original ordinance PDF
- Source: Town Board action approving the 2025 amendment: View July 14, 2025 meeting minutes (draft)
Important reminder for residents and guests
Please help keep everyone in compliance - make sure your family members and guests are aware of these enhanced-wake restrictions before launching or operating a boat on Windigo.
Why we discourage bringing wake boats to Windigo
Even when used like a normal runabout, wake boats commonly include ballast systems. Ballast tanks, pumps, bags, bilges, and other water-holding compartments can retain water and transport aquatic invasive species (AIS) when boats move from lake to lake.
Windigo Lake is currently free of many invasive aquatic plant species found on other lakes, and WLPOA works hard to keep it that way. If your boat has a ballast system, treat it like a water suitcase: if you don’t empty it, it travels.
AIS prevention: what every boater should do
- Inspect your boat, trailer, and gear.
- Remove all plants, mud, and attached aquatic organisms.
- Drain all water - including livewells, bilge, and ballast systems - before leaving the landing. (See WI DNR guidance below.)
- When available, use a cleaning/decontamination station and allow equipment to dry thoroughly.
Learn more from the Wisconsin DNR: AIS Prevention (includes wake boats & ballast systems) and “Help Stop The Spread Of Aquatic Invasive Species” (DNR news release).
For questions about lake rules, safety, or AIS prevention, please contact WLPOA through the website contact information.