Understanding Indiana’s New Wake Surfing Law

The Watershed Foundation is excited to share additional information and answer questions about the new wake surfing law that will take effect on July 1. 

Thank you to the hundreds of people who contacted their state representatives in support of HB 1062 to address concerns about the impacts of wake boats on shoreline erosion, water quality in smaller lakes, and nighttime safety. Indiana State Rep. Dave Abbott has been working for 7 years to pass this legislation and with the help of TWF and our lake community, we did it!

What does this new law say?

• Wake surfing is prohibited between sunset and sunrise on all public lakes in Indiana.
• Wake surfing is prohibited on small lakes (299 acres or less), which have a 10-mph speed limit, unless a special ruling has been granted from the Natural Resources Commission. In addition, if a small lake has speed exemptions already in place (for example, skiing only between the hours of 1-4 pm), then wake surfing must align to the same hours.

How will this bill impact wake surfing on our local lakes?

• There are NO major changes on the high-speed boating lakes, including Tippecanoe, Little Tippy, Oswego, Webster, Wawasee, Syracuse, Winona, Big Chapman, Dewart, and Big Barbee – except for the prohibition of surfing at night.
• Wake surfing is NOT permitted on the smaller lakes with a 10 mph speed limit including Pike, Center, Ridinger, Waubee, most of the Barbee Chain of Lakes in Kosciusko County, as well as Old, New, Goose, and Crooked Lakes in Whitley and Noble Counties.
• Two lakes in our watershed have special speed exemptions. Big Lake and Loon Lake in Noble and Whitley Counties are small lakes with a 10 mph speed limit most of the time, but they allow skiing and other high-speed boating activities from 1-4 pm each day. Wake surfing is now only permitted during these same times.

Is TWF against wake surfing?

No. We are not against wake surfing. TWF advocated for this bill to protect and improve water quality and reduce the ecological impact of wake boating activities on small lakes. We also believe these changes will help make our waters safer for all to enjoy, but that was not our focus.

Why was this legislation necessary?

We’ve heard from many lake residents who thought these activities were already illegal because they believed the speed limit at night was idle speed only. But in fact, the speed limit at night and on small public lakes (< 300 acres) is actually 10 mph. Since wake surfing can be conducted at 9.9 mph, it was legal to undertake this activity at night and on small lakes. 

Why is this legislation important for water quality and lake protection?

TWF takes action based upon scientific evidence. The most comprehensive research on boating impacts was conducted by the University of Minnesota’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory – one on wave impact released in 2022 and one on the impact below the lake surface in 2025. By following these links, you can find summary reports, full scientific articles, videos, and FAQs.

Key Takeaways

• When researchers compared the wake waves of the four boats during their most typical mode of operations, the data indicated that wakesurf boats require distances greater than 500 feet from the shoreline/docks and other boats to decrease their wake wave characteristics to levels similar to the non-wakesurf boats. Larger, more energetic waves need to travel a greater distance to decrease in wave height, energy, and power.
• More powerful turbulence from wakeboats can directly resuspend sediments in the water. This can indirectly lead to the release of nutrients like phosphorus from sediment that can stimulate excessive algae growth, which adversely impacts lakes.
• All powerboats, when leisurely cruising or planing, should operate in 10 feet of water or greater to minimize impacts caused by motions generated by a boat’s hull.
• During surfing, wake boats should operate in depths of 20 feet or greater to minimize negative impacts on the lake environment.

Based on this data and many other studies, many states have passed or are considering wake surfing legislation.

In fact, many states have proposed or enacted legislation requiring wake surfing or boating in wake-surf mode to be conducted at distances of 500’ or greater from shore and in depths of 20’ or more.

However, the Wake Sports Industry Association (WSIA) is pushing for legislation allowing surfing at 200’ from shore and in 10’ or more depth.

Looking Forward

The Watershed Foundation and its Executive Director, Lyn Crighton, are experts in Indiana on wake boat legislation. As a member of the National Lakes Partnership, Lyn participates in monthly deliberations on advocacy and the impacts of wake surfing. We supported this bill to ensure that recreation and stewardship can coincide on our smaller, more delicate lakes.

TWF is currently creating lake maps to help recreationists identify the best places on their lakes to wake surf and participate in other water sports with minimal impact on lake health.

HB 1062 represents an important step toward protecting and improving Indiana’s small lakes. The Watershed Foundation will continue advocating for our lakes—sharing science-based information and promoting responsible recreation on all lakes.