HIGHEST QUALITY LAKE Classification Helped Drive Recommendation to Ban Wake Surfing
Spider Chain of Lakes is among 97 Wisconsin lakes (out of 15,000 - 17,000 depending on data source) with "OUTSTANDING RESOURCE WATERS" classification. Fewer than 1% of state lakes are in this highest water quality class.
The rare, unique high water quality helped drive the recommendation to ban wake surfing on the Spider Chain of Lakes
BACKGROUND
On February 26, 2025 the TOSL Boating Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee (BOAHC) leaders presented a robust set of key findings and recommendations to the Town Board of Supervisors. The committee was charged with reviewing the TOSL boating ordinance to:
- Ensure and maintain public health & safety
- Protect and preserve natural resources
- Understand fiscal and legal impacts
The BOAHC was asked to inform Town Supervisors:
- Whether and in what areas the current ordinance needs revision
- Whether separate ordinances are needed for different bodies of water
- Best methods of enforcement
- For Spider Lake Chain: How best to share, schedule, regulate recreation on the lake for individuals with diverse interests.
Committee members used a fact based, data driven process and divided due diligence work across published research and community input. The 56 slides presented at the meeting highlighted a summary of the deep-dives into a vast array of information on the topic.
RECOMMENDATIONS (Driven by Highest Quality Lake Designation... Fewer than 1% of Wisconsin Lakes are designated "Outstanding Resource Waters" - Spider Chain of Lakes is Among Them)
Impact on Spider Chain of Lakes:
- Immediately enact an ordinance to prohibit wake surfing and all activities that use “enhanced wakes” in the Town of Spider Lake
- Retain the hours for water skiing on the Spider Chain of Lakes: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Enforcement: focus on education, evaluation of key components, and implementation of a plan that meets the needs of the town
Impact on Other Lakes:
- Designate Ghost Lake as a quiet lake
- Retain the current 10 m.p.h. speed limit
- Place WDNR approved “slow no wake” buoys in critical areas on Lost Land and Teal lakes
One of the main drivers of the recommendations is the uniquely high water quality of town lakes:
FIVE LAKES in the town (TOSL) are designated “High Quality Waters,”
TWO (Spider Chain of Lake and Teal Lake) are designated “Outstanding Resource Waters.”
It is far more effective to protect and preserve outstanding and high water quality than it is to restore it after damaging it.
Reach out to Town officials to share your thoughts on the recommendations - Send email: Clerk@TownOfSpiderLakeWi.gov
For a PDF copy of the BOAHC presentation click here. Thank you to all members who served on the committee. Your service to our community is appreciated by all who value this uniquely pristine chain of lakes and its neighboring high quality lakes!
LAKE OWEN and other high quality lakes in our area have protection from wake surfing. The towns of Drummond, Cable, Round Lake and Hayward have already passed ordinances that restrict wake surfing. For a copy of the Lake Owen related ordinance click here.
NEXT STEPS: Spider Lake Town Board of Supervisors will review, deliberate and manage next steps. To stay current subscribe to Town updates here.
See how wake surfing affects lakes: Video here.
