Updated July 2026
Wakesurfing on Lower Vermillion Lake
Depth Excellent · Room Limited
About the water
Lower Vermillion Lake covers roughly 215 acres and reaches about 55 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 Lower Vermillion Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Lower Vermillion Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Lower Vermillion 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 maximum depth of 55 ft and surface area of 215 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.
Lower Vermillion Lake reaches about 55 ft at its deepest point. Wake-boat research from the University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory finds that an enhanced wake needs deep water to dissipate rather than reflect off the bottom, which is why depth is one of the two factors in the suitability rating.
Lower Vermillion Lake carries a LakeQuality water-quality grade of B, computed from EPA and state monitoring data — Secchi clarity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a. 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 Lower Vermillion Lake.
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