Lake Rules

TOWN OF EAST TROY & POTTER’S LAKE

BOATING/PWC SAFETY LAWS (summary)

All laws are enforced by Town of East Troy police officers who may stop any boat for purposes of enforcement and/or inspection.  Violations are punishable by fines, jail, or both.
           

  • NO LITTERING ON LAND OR WATER............... $200 FINE
  • SPEED LIMITS:
  • Speeds are limited to 10 miles per hour from sunrise to 10:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to sunset on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. 
  • Daily - after sunset, slow/ no-wake.  (“Slow-no-wake” means the slowest possible speed so as to maintain steerage.)
  • At all other times, speeds will be reasonable and prudent with regard for the conditions existing at the time.
  • SLOW - NO WAKE within 200 feet of shore or within 100 feet of piers, rafts, buoyed restricted areas, and anchored boats.
  • Personal watercraft (PWC) follow the same rules as motorboats except SLOW – NO WAKE within 200 feet of shore, piers, rafts, buoyed restricted areas, and anchored boats and no operation from sunset to sunrise. 
  • Boats/PWC’s may not be operated within 100 feet of another boat or person being towed.
  • All boats/pwc’s must navigate in a counter-clockwise direction on weekends and holidays.
  • Boats to the right have the right-of-way.  Pass to the right.  Motorboats must yield to non-motorized boats.
  • All boats must have one approved personal floatation device (PFD) per person, regardless of length.  All boats more than 16’ must have a throwable device (Type IV).  All persons riding a PWC must wear a PFD.
  • All boats should carry a first aid kit, a distress signal, and an oar or paddle.
  • All boats must have and use approved lights from sunset to sunrise.
  • No sitting on the sides, front deck, or top of seat backs while the motorboat is in operation (moving).
  • Boats with cooking or sleeping facilities are not allowed on the lake from sunset to sunrise, nor on weekends or holidays.
  • All boats 12’ in length or greater must be registered with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and have such numbers displayed as required.
  • All motorboats must have approved mufflers and battery covers. 
  • All enclosed inboard and inboard/outboard motorboats must have a fire extinguisher, flame arrestor, and bilge ventilator.
  • It is unlawful to operate any boat beyond the safe carrying capacity of passengers or cargo.
  • No swimming beyond SLOW – NO WAKE zones unless accompanied by a boat.
  • AGE RESTRICTIONS
  • No person under the age of 10 years may operate a motorboat.
  • No person under 12 may operate a PWC.
  • Persons at least 10 but less than 16 years of age may operate a motorboat (except PWC) only if they are accompanied (aboard the same boat) by a parent or designated guardian (over 18) or if they have successfully completed a DNR prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate.
  • Persons at least 12 years of age may operate a PWC if they have successfully completed a DNR prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate.
  • Persons born on or after 1-1-1989 and at least 16 years of age MUST have successfully completed a DNR prescribed Boating Safety Course and possess a safety certificate.
  • Laws regarding operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated apply to motorboats/PWC’s too. 

Don’t drink and drive!

 
Printed September 2006


TOWN OF EAST TROY & POTTER’S LAKE
RULES FOR WATER SPORT ACTIVITIES

All laws are enforced by Town of East Troy police officers who may stop any boat for purposes of enforcement and/or inspection.  Violations are punishable by fines, jail, or both.

  • Water sport activities include, but are not limited to, the use of: water skis, wakeboard, tube, kneeboard, aquaplane or similar device.
  • TIMES ALLOWED:
  • Weekdays from 8:00a.m. to sunset (as defined by the U.S. weather service).
  • Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • No double towing on weekends and holidays.
  • Both boat and person being towed must operate more than 200 feet from shore and more than 100 feet from piers, rafts, buoyed restricted areas, and anchored boats.
  • A PWC may not tow persons engaged in water skiing or similar activities unless the PWC is designed to seat at least three persons.  All other rules regarding water sport activities apply to PWC.
  • Two competent people must be in the boat/PWC at all times, with one observing the person being towed.
  • All persons engaged in water sport activities must wear an approved (Type III) personal flotation device.
  • All boating/PWC regulations apply while persons are being towed.
  • PLEASE OBSERVE ALL BOATING/PWC SAFETY LAWS ON REVERSE

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HELP STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS!
Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.........

  • Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment and remove visible aquatic plants, animals and mud before leaving the water access.
  • Drain water from your boat, motor, bilge, live wells, and bait containers before leaving the water access.
  • Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
  • Spray/rinse boats and recreational equipment with high pressure and/or hot tap water (over 104F) especially if moored for more than a day OR dry boats and equipment for at least 5 days.

By taking these simple steps each time you move your boat from one water body to another you are helping to protect our waters for future generations.
Wisconsin statutes prohibit launching a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment if there are any aquatic plants or zebra mussels attached.

Check the following web sites for lists and maps of Wisconsin waters known to contain:
            Zebra mussels: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/zebra.htm
            Eurasian Water-milfoil: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/milfoil.htm

 

Printed September 2006


Copyright (C) 2006 By The Potter's Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District