For Immediate Release Monday, June 30, 2025
Contact: Steve Lyons
(608) 220-7478
Coalition to Protect Wisconsin’s Lakes Now Largest in the U.S.
Surge in Group Size Hits 80 WI Groups
Membership Now in the Tens of Thousands
Madison… A coalition focused on protecting Wisconsin’s lakes from wake-enhanced boating has become
the largest of its kind in state and national history. Starting with five groups months ago, it now
includes eighty state-wide Wisconsin groups.
“The fact of the matter is that people throughout Wisconsin are demanding that something be done to
stop the damage being done by wake-enhanced boating. At the local level, fifty-five Wisconsin towns
have passed ordinances to protect our glacial lakes. But there is a concern that politicians in Madison
may try to silence the voices of local residents by removing local control or watering down the needed
regulation to protect our lakes. That would be a recipe for disaster for any Madison politician who
attempts to take away the local (and powerful) voices behind the movement,” stated Dr. Fred Prehn, a
well-known conservative activist.
“The coalition’s rapid, organic growth shows just how deeply Wisconsinites care about the health of our
lakes. Thousands of voters across the state want to ensure these natural treasures are preserved for
future generations,” explained Cody Kamrowski, Executive Director, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.
Walleyes for Tomorrow (WFT) joined the coalition in September 2024 because of their mission “…to
improve the quality of walleye and sauger fishing through habitat improvement and spawning grounds
protection.” Mike Arrowwood, Chairperson of WFT, adds that “wake-enhanced boating stirs up lake
sediment, forcing muddy water over walleye habitats and endangering future generations of this key
species to Wisconsin’s economy.”
“We want to make it clear that reforming wake-enhanced activity is a statewide priority, and taking
away local control will energize additional groups that haven’t even weighed in yet,” proclaimed Jeff
Meessmann, board member of Last Wilderness Alliance, an environmental advocacy group.
Strength in numbers and empowering a common voice is the hallmark of grassroots coalition building, a
concept used frequently by coalition member Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF). “When facing controversial
issues and well-funded opposition, the power of people gathering to create change is what this is all
about. Together we can and will do remarkable things,” said Meleesa Johnson, Executive Director of
WGF.
The continually expanding coalition represents Wisconsin fishing experts, outdoor enthusiasts,
advocates for local control, lake property landowners, sailors, those concerned with spreading invasive
species, and others. All are concerned about the devastating and immense impacts of wake-enhanced
boating on Wisconsin’s lakes and various waterways.
The list of the 80 coalition groups can be found at https://www.lakesatstake.org/important-documents