Wisconsin Lakes

Have Ideas for Wisconsin's Surface Water Grant Program?

The Wisconsin DNR is currently accepting public comments on the Surface Water Grant Program guidance. These grants have helped fund lake management plans, aquatic invasive species control, water quality monitoring, shoreline restoration, education programs, and many other projects across the state.

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/SurfaceWater.html

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board recently sent a controversial proposed open-water duck hunting rule back for additional public input instead of approving it outright. The proposal would remove current concealment requirements that help direct hunting activity toward more natural shoreline areas and away from developed lakeshore.

Wisconsin Lakes submitted a letter of opposition and testified during the hearing process, raising concerns that the emergency rule process unnecessarily fast-tracked the proposal without adequate input from potentially affected groups, including lake property owners, anglers, boaters, and other lake users.

The proposed rule change would eliminate current requirements that hunters be at least 50% concealed by natural vegetation rooted to the lake bottom. Opponents argue the change could potentially expand open-water hunting opportunities from the current 16 authorized lakes to more than 15,000 Wisconsin lakes, while also eliminating the current 500-foot minimum distance-from-shore requirement.

Wisconsin Lakes is a statewide nonprofit organization representing lake associations, lake districts, and individuals dedicated to protecting and improving Wisconsin’s lakes and waterways. The organization regularly reviews proposed legislation and administrative rules that may impact lakes, shoreline property owners, recreation, water quality, and public use, and frequently provides testimony and public input during the rulemaking process.

See original story: https://www.outdoornews.com/2026/05/08/open-water-duck-hunting-rule-kicked-back-to-public-by-wisconsin-natural-resources-board/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Only a few days until the Southern Wisconsin Lakes Conference!!! Join us May 30th for a day of great learning and networking about lake issues. Check out a couple of the sessions highlighted below. Register at https://ticketstripe.com/events/4274108827911428