Potter Lake Boating/PWC Safety Laws,
Town of East Troy Ordinances, and Wisconsin DNR Laws
All ordinances are enforced by the Town of East Troy police and community service officers, who may stop anyone on Potter Lake for enforcement and/or inspection purposes. Violations are punishable by fines, jail, or both. Town ordinances can be found under Title 16.05, Public Waters; https://townofeasttroywi.gov/. All aquatic recreation on Potter Lake is also required to follow laws set forth by the WI Department of Natural Resources: https://widnr.widen.net/s/0vw8hwrae3.
Boating/PWC Safety
- No littering on land or water - $200 fine
Speed Limits
- "Slow-no-wake" means the lowest possible speed to maintain steerage.
- Speeds are limited to slow-no-wake from sunrise to 10:00 a.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to sunrise on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- Daily, other than Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays - sunrise to 8:00 a.m. and after sunset, slow-no-wake.
- At all other times, speeds will be reasonable and prudent with regard to the conditions existing at the time.
- Motorboats and personal watercraft (PWC) must always operate at slow-no-wake speed within 200 feet of shoreline and within 100 feet of shore, piers, rafts, buoyed restricted areas, and anchored boats.
Right of Way
- Boats/PWCs may not be operated within 100 feet of another boat or person being towed.
- All boats/PWCs 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.
Safety
- All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards) 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).
- It is unlawful to operate any boat beyond its safe carrying capacity for passengers or cargo, as per Chapter 30 of the Wisconsin DNR rules.
- No swimming beyond slow-no-wake zones unless accompanied by a boat.
Equipment
- 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 with a motor 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.
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 / PWCs too. Don’t drink and drive!
Water Sport Activities
Equipment
- 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 8:00 a.m. to sunset (as defined by the U.S. weather service).
- Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- One tow rope behind a boat at a time on weekends and holidays.
Safety
- A boat or PWC towing a person on water skis, a surfboard, or other device must have another competent person, in addition to the driver, serving as an observer unless the vessel is equipped with a wide-angle rearview mirror.
- All persons being towed behind a boat or PWC must wear an approved personal flotation device.
- All boating / PWC regulations apply while persons are being towed.