Pewaukee Lake Rules
This is a brief overview of portions of the summer lake ordinances. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the lake rules. The PLIA advises anyone interested in the lake rules to download a copy of the lake ordinance (including winter rules) for review. A PDF version of the ordinance is available below.
SPEED RESTRICTIONS
a. Speed Limit.
Unless limited otherwise herein, no person shall operate a watercraft at a speed in excess of 50 mph
b. General Limits. No person shall operate a motor watercraft at a speed in excess of 10 mph between the published time of sunset and one hour after sunrise on all waters of Pewaukee Lake, provided that this provision shall not apply to watercraft participating in permitted races over a course laid out plainly marked and adequately patrolled.
c. Special Limits. No person shall at any time operate a watercraft at a speed in excess of slow-no-wake within two hundred (200) feet of any shore, swimmer not in a designated swimming area, marked public swimming area, diving flag, canoe, rowboat, sailboat, non-operating motor watercraft, bridge, public access, or designated anchorage or mooring area or sensitive environmental area.
d. Weekend Limits. No person shall operate a watercraft at a speed in excess of 40 mph from twelve o’clock noon to the published time of sunset on Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: Labor Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and any intervening day celebrated as part of the holiday.
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC RULES
In addition to the traffic rules adopted herein, the following rules shall apply to watercraft using the waters of Pewaukee Lake:
a. Houseboats. Unless specifically permitted by the Water Safety Patrol, watercraft with sanitary facilities, living or camping facilities are prohibited.
b. Tie Ups of Watercraft. Unless specifically permitted by the Water Safety Patrol, prolonged anchoring, mooring or drifting of nested watercraft for more than 2 hours is hereby declared to be in conflict with the intent and purpose of the ordinance and is hereby prohibited.
SAFE OPERATION REQUIRED
a. No person shall operate, direct, or handle a watercraft in such a careless manner as to endanger the occupants of their or other watercrafts.
b. No watercraft shall be operated in a repetitive circular, figure eight or other similar pattern in an area less than 300’ in diameter and in a manner that creates a wake.
c. In addition to the provisions of Section 30.62, Wis. Stats., no person shall modify, tamper or alter any watercraft or the original equipment of any watercraft which increases the standard operating decibel level of said watercraft in Violation of Section 30.62, Wis. Stats.
d. Unless specifically permitted by the Lake Patrol, no person shall operate, direct, or handle a motorized watercraft in a racing manner.
SWIMMING REGULATIONS
a. Unmanned Watercraft. No person shall swim from any unmanned watercraft unless such watercraft is anchored.
b. Distance from shore. No person shall swim more than two hundred (200) feet from the shore unless in a designated swimming zone or when accompanied by a competent person in a watercraft.
c. Hour Limitations. No person shall swim more than two hundred (200) feet from the shoreline between sunset and one hour after sunrise.
WATER SKIING
a. Distance From Shore, Public Accesses, And Beaches. No person shall operate a watercraft for the purpose of towing a person on water skis, aquaplane, glider, kite, parachute, or similar device or permit himself to be towed for such purpose within two hundred (200) feet of the shoreline, outside limits of any swimming zone, other water craft, any swimmer not in designated swimming area, diving flag, of any public access, of any designated anchorage or mooring area of any buoyed/marked race course.
b. Personal Flotation Device. No person shall operate a watercraft for the purpose of towing a person on water skis, aquaplane, glider, kite, parachute, or similar device or permit himself to be towed for such purpose unless the person being towed is wearing a type I, II, III or V personal flotation device.
c. Length of Tow. The maximum length of any tow rope for towing a person water skiing, aquaplaning, gliding, kite flying, parachuting, or similar device shall be seventy-five (75) feet.
d. Exceptions. The limitations of this Section shall not apply to participants in ski meets or exhibitions authorized and conducted as provided in subsection (13).
RACES, REGATTAS, SPORTING EVENTS, AND EXHIBITIONS
a. Permit Required. No person shall direct or participate in any watercraft race, regatta, water ski meet, or other water sporting event or exhibition unless such event has been authorized and a permit issued therefore by the Chief of the Water Safety Patrol.
b. Permit. A permit issued under this Section shall specify the course or area of water to be used by participants in such events and the permittee shall be required to place markers, flags, or buoys approved by the Chief of the Water Safety Patrol designating the specific area or the general race course. Permits shall be issued only if in the opinion of the Chief the proposed use of the water can be carried out safely and without danger to or substantial obstruction of other watercrafts or persons using the lake. Permits shall be valid only for the hours and areas specified thereon.
c. Right-Of-Way Of Participants. Watercrafts and participants in any such permitted event shall have the right- of-way on the marked area and no other person shall obstruct such area during the race or event or interfere therewith.
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