DNR Waterway Protection

Find useful information about Wisconsin lakeshore at:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/waterways/

DNR Warden Comments

The warden, this is list of the most common violations they have encountered on Half Moon over the past 4-years.

  1. Fishing w/o a license

  2. Possession of undersized fish

  3. Failure to have enough PFD's

  4. Pull a water-skier w/o an observer

  5. Operate boat w/o registration.


... If you are out in a boat on the lake you are required to have one wearable life jacket for every person on board. It also must be the proper size. Boats 16ft and over must have a throwable PFD on board. All motorized boats must have registration. If you have not received decals in the mail yet, a signed copy of the registration for must be kept on board. Boats should be registered in the state of principal use. All boats of closed construction must have a fire extinguisher on board. ( So if you have a false floor or your gas tanks are enclosed you need one). All boats batteries must be strapped down and have the terminals covered.


... These are the common (fishing) violations on the lake. The bass size limit is 14" and a bag limit of 5, the walleye size limit is 15" and a bag limit of 3. Fish are to be measured with the mouth closed and the tail pinched together. This is demonstrated in the fishing regs. The panfish bag limit in total is 25 fish. The possession limit is 50. This means that if some one came up for a week they could only have in their possession in the freezer of no more that 50 fish. You are allowed to eat fish to keep your possession limit down.

Loon Protection

Harassing common loons in Wisconsin violates both the state guidelines and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Intentional harassment of harming of loons carries maximum federal penalties of up to $500 fine and 6 months in jail. While local state enforcement actions and severe violations can range up to $100 in fines and 90 days in jail.

Protection Rules and Guidelines

  • Keep your distance: Stay at least 150 to 200 feet away from loons, their swimming areas, and nests.

  • No-wake zones: Obey slow-no-wake speeds near shorelines and areas with loon chicks to prevent propeller strikes

  • Ethical interaction: Avoid chasing loons with watercraft or fishing too close to nesting pairs.