Logos of various groups in the coalition to protect Wisconsin’s lakes, as of June 27, 2025 (not all member organizations depicted).

Coalition to Protect Wisconsin’s Lakes Now Largest in the U.S.

Surge in Group Size Hits 80 WI Groups

Membership Now in the Tens of Thousands

News Release Prepared by Steve Lyons

A coalition focused on protecting Wisconsin’s lakes from wake-enhanced boating has become the largest of its kind in state and national history. Starting with five groups months ago, it now includes eighty state-wide Wisconsin groups.

“The fact of the matter is that people throughout Wisconsin are demanding that something be done to stop the damage being done by wake-enhanced boating. At the local level, fifty-five Wisconsin towns have passed ordinances to protect our glacial lakes. But there is a concern that politicians in Madison may try to silence the voices of local residents by removing local control or watering down the needed regulation to protect our lakes. That would be a recipe for disaster for any Madison politician who attempts to take away the local (and powerful) voices behind the movement,” stated Dr. Fred Prehn, a well-known conservative activist.

“The coalition’s rapid, organic growth shows just how deeply Wisconsinites care about the health of our lakes. Thousands of voters across the state want to ensure these natural treasures are preserved for future generations,” explained Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

Walleyes for Tomorrow (WFT) joined the coalition in September 2024 because of their mission “…to improve the quality of walleye and sauger fishing through habitat improvement and spawning grounds protection.” Mike Arrowwood, Chairperson of WFT, adds that “wake-enhanced boating stirs up lake sediment, forcing muddy water over walleye habitats and endangering future generations of this key species to Wisconsin’s economy.”

“We want to make it clear that reforming wake-enhanced activity is a statewide priority, and taking away local control will energize additional groups that haven’t even weighed in yet,” proclaimed Jeff Meessmann, board member of Last Wilderness Alliance, an environmental advocacy group.

Strength in numbers and empowering a common voice is the hallmark of grassroots coalition building, a concept used frequently by coalition member Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF). “When facing controversial issues and well-funded opposition, the power of people gathering to create change is what this is all about. Together we can and will do remarkable things,” said Meleesa Johnson, Executive Director of WGF.

The continually expanding coalition represents Wisconsin fishing experts, outdoor enthusiasts, advocates for local control, lake property landowners, sailors, those concerned with spreading invasive species, and others. All are concerned about the devastating and immense impacts of wake-enhanced boating on Wisconsin’s lakes and various waterways.

The list of the 80 coalition groups can be found below and at https://www.lakesatstake.org/important-documents.

List of 80 Coalition Member Groups:

1. Wisconsin Lakes
2. Lakes at Stake Wisconsin
3. Wisconsin’s Green Fire
4. Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
5. Last Wilderness Alliance
6. Wisconsin Trout Unlimited
7. Yahara Fishing Club
8. Vilas County Lakes and Rivers Association
9. First Muskies Inc
10. Walleyes for Tomorrow
11. Sawyer County Lakes Forum
12. Headwaters Chapter, Muskies Inc
13. Diamond Lakers Inc
14. Buffalo County Conservation Alliance
15. Mondovi Conservation Club
16. Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association
17. Burnett County Lakes and Rivers Association
18. Oneida County Clean Waters Action (OCCWA)
19. Izaak Walton League of America, Wisconsin Division
20. Wisconsin Trappers Association
21. Washburn County Lakes and Rivers Association (WCLRA)
22. Winnebagoland Conservation Alliance, representing 13 orgs
23. Musky Fool Fly Fishing Co.
24. Lake George Lakes Association
25. Chippewa Flowage Area Property Owners Association
26. Friends of the Kettle Moraine State Forest
27. River Alliance of Wisconsin
28. Muskies, Inc. Between the Lakes Chapter 20
29. Friends of the Black River
30. Great Bass Lake Improvement Association
31. Town of Schleswig Sanitary District 1 – Cedar Lake
32. Boot Lake Association
33. Big Cedar Lake Property Owners Association
34. Three Lakes Waterfront Association
35. Pickerel Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
36. Friends of Lake Mohawksin
37. Boulder Lake Association
38. Twin Lakes Preservation Association
39. Rock Lake Improvement Association
40. Friends of Vernon Marsh
41. Dane County Conservation League (DCCL)
42. Geneva Lake Association
43. Rutabaga Paddlesports
44. Little Sissabagama Shore Owners Association
45. Round Lake Management District (Burnett County)
46. Boulder Lake Advancement Association
47. Lake Julia Association, Inc.
48. 14 Mile Watershed Alliance
49. Lower Nashotah Lake Association
50. Wisconsin Bass Team Trail
51. FLaG Baits
52. Lake Mildred and Clear Lake Property Owners Association
53. LoonWatch
54. Upper Midwest Bass Challenge Series
55. Otter Street Fishing Club
56. Stockbridge Harbor Fishing Club
57. West Shore Fishing Club
58. Southwest Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow
59. Waukesha County Conservation Alliance
60. Dodge County Sporting Conservation Alliance
61. Silver Lake Management District
62. Waupaca Chain O’Lakes Association
63. Lake Helen Protection & Rehabilitation District
64. Bass Lake Association (Washburn Co.)
65. Big Bass Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District
66. Manitowoc County Fish and Game
67. Lake Poygan Sportsmen’s Club
68. Wisconsin Society for Ornithology
69. Lake Wisconsin Alliance
70. Forest County Association of Lakes
71. Protect Lake Beulah
72. Tahkodah Lake District
73. Lake Alice Association
74. Okauchee Fishing Club
75. Friends of the Eau Claire Lakes
76. Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance
77. Green Lake Association
78.  7 Island Lake Association
79. Clark Lake Advancement Association
80. Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance