Be aware of the new slow-no-wake law!
For those who haven't already heard, it is now illegal to operate a boat at greater than slow-no-wake speed within 100 feet of the shoreline of any lake in Wisconsin. This is primarily meant to reduce shoreline erosion and destruction of shallow-water fish habitat. The only general exception is for picking up and dropping off waterskiers. I sent an email to Randy Stark, the DNR's Chief Warden, and he indicated that the new law does include the shorelines of islands, not just the main outer shoreline of the lake. This is going to have a significant impact on boaters on the TFF, where many of the safe travel areas are less than 100 feet from shorelines. The narrow section of the channel heading out from Springstead Landing is one obvious example, but there are many other areas where following the safest route will put you within 100 feet of shorelines and islands. It will be interesting to see how active they are in enforcing the new law and whether they're more interested in issuing warnings and educating boaters this season, or just start handing out citations. PWCs already had a 200 foot restriction, which remains in effect. The previous law requiring slow-no-wake within 100 feet of any dock, pier, raft or restricted area also remains in effect.
With the early ice-out providing an opportunity to get out after some preseason panfish, it's also important to be aware of the 3 seasonal fish refuges on the TFF:
1. No fishing is allowed from April 1 until opening day on the Little Turtle River within 200 feet upstream and downstream of Popkos Circle Road.
2. No fishing is allowed from April 1 through May 14 from the Lake of the Falls dam to 1000' downstream.
3. No fishing is allowed from April 1 through May 14 within 200 feet of the shoreline of Seifert's Point. I don't think most people are aware of this one, and it isn't marked.
Interesting story about the theft/vandalism...
I had a few minor things like wiring harnesses and winch straps stolen off my trailer many years ago, and stopped leaving it overnight. But I hadn't heard about tires being flattened. Tough to do much about it unless people want to start taking turns as volunteer night watchmen.
Last year or the year before, I was coming back to the TFF at about 3:00 AM, which isn't uncommon because I have friends up in Hurley who play in bands and like having their pictures taken. As I drove past the road to Springstead Landing, I saw headlights in the parking lot, which I found a little suspicious at that time of the night. I suppose it could have been some campers who had been out doing more or less the same thing I was, but it's not something I see regularly. So I stopped and called the Iron County Sheriff to report the suspicious activity. The dispatcher up in Hurley said, "Well, I only have one deputy on duty tonight and he's bringing a DUI up from Mercer right now and has to get him booked into jail, so it'll be a couple hours, but we'll make sure somebody checks it out." The point, I guess, is that the downside to getting away from it all is that you're away from it all. Video surveillance might be an option if the DNR can be convinced that there's enough of a problem. Here's an idea - if anybody has a trailcam, test it to see if it works through glass - you could put it in the back of your vehicle pointed at the trailer.
100' Slow-No-Wake for Boats
I don't agree with the Warden on the Lake-Link post mentioned by Ski2313.
Here is a partial copy of the news release put out by the DNR when this rule went into effect this spring:
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All boats required to operate at slow-no-wake within 100 feet of shoreline
(Weekly News Article Published: May 4, 2010 by the Central Office)
MADISON – A new boating rule in Wisconsin is designed to make lakes safer while protecting shorelines and improving water quality. The law prohibits boaters from operating their boats at speeds greater than slow-no-wake within 100 feet of lake shorelines.
The law applies to all lakes,including the lake areas of flowages
“The law will make it safer for people wading, swimming or fishing near shore, and it should help reduce conflicts between near-shore recreationists and boaters,” said Scott Bowe, a Department of Natural Resources conservation warden in Chippewa County.
Moreover, boats operating in shallow waters often churn up sediment and chop up vegetation, decreasing water quality, and potentially spreading invasive aquatic species like Eurasian water-milfoil. Slowing these boats will reduce this problem. In addition, eliminating near shore wakes will reduce shoreline erosion.
This change is in addition to current law which already prohibits boaters on lakes from operating at speeds greater than slow-no-wake within 100 feet of docks, rafts, piers and buoyed restricted areas.
Personal watercraft (PWC) operators must also follow these laws in addition to speed restrictions that apply specifically to PWCs. PWC operators cannot operate at a speed greater than slow-no-wake within 200 feet of the shoreline of any lake. They also are required to cut back to slow-no-wake speed when passing within 100 feet of other boats, including other PWCs. This law applies to both rivers and lakes.
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Tight Lines,
Tom502