Updated August 2026
Wakesurfing on Iola Lake
Depth Limited · Room Limited
About the water
Iola Lake covers roughly 220 acres and reaches about 9 ft at its deepest, giving it room for a wake-boat setup when conditions cooperate. Public access varies — confirm a launch before you go. Wisconsin sets statewide wakesurf rules, and individual lakes often add no-wake zones, hours, or horsepower limits — check the Wisconsin rules page and the local ordinance before launching.
Wisconsin wake-sport rules
Wisconsin has no statewide wakesurfing-specific law as of mid-2026; competing bills remain unenacted. Proposals include AB 1033 (200/300-foot setback, no depth limit; Assembly-passed) and SB 1024 (500-foot setback and 20-foot depth). In the absence of statewide rules, towns have adopted local wake-surf bans (e.g., Lake Waramaug-style ordinances and Waupaca/Long Lake actions), some of which are being litigated. Limits are currently local/waterbody-specific.
This rating classifies measured depth and surface area against published wake-sport guidance. It is not a safety clearance and not permission to ride: local no-wake zones, hours, and horsepower limits are set by the county, lake district, or land manager, and they take precedence. Lake measurements from Wisconsin DNR — Lakes.
Where to stay near Iola Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Iola Lake
Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Iola Lake rates Limited for wakesurf suitability. Shallow or small for wake sports — ride with extra care and a wide setback. The rating is based on its measured surface area of 220 acres. This is a read of the water's dimensions, not legal permission — check the Wisconsin rules and the local authority for this lake before you launch.
No maximum-depth measurement is on record for Iola Lake in the state agency data we use, so its depth factor is unrated. We do not estimate depth.
Iola Lake has a water quality grade of B (Good), from EPA and state monitoring of nutrients and algae. Water clarity is shown on the lake page; it is not the letter. That is a separate question from wakesurf suitability: a lake can be excellent to ride and mediocre to swim in, or the reverse. See the full lake page for the grade breakdown.
Wisconsin has no statewide wakesurfing-specific law as of mid-2026; competing bills remain unenacted. Proposals include AB 1033 (200/300-foot setback, no depth limit; Assembly-passed) and SB 1024 (500-foot setback and 20-foot depth). In the absence of statewide rules, towns have adopted local wake-surf bans (e.g., Lake Waramaug-style ordinances and Waupaca/Long Lake actions), some of which are being litigated. Limits are currently local/waterbody-specific. Individual lakes often add stricter local limits on top of the statewide rule — no-wake zones, operating hours, and horsepower caps are all common — so confirm with the local authority for Iola Lake.
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