The North Shore boat launch and parking lot at Devil's Lake State Park closed Monday,…
The rule is real. So are the boats. Here’s how it actually works.
If you’ve spent time at Devil’s Lake, you’ve probably noticed boats on the water that don’t look like kayaks and paddleboards. Maybe you’ve heard a motor. Maybe you’ve seen a pontoon. And if you knew that gas-powered motorboats are banned here, you might have wondered what’s going on.
It’s a fair question. The answer is more layered than a simple yes or no.
Why Gas-Powered Motorboats Are Banned on Devil’s Lake
The ban on recreational gas-powered motorboats has been in place since 1972, when the DNR board put it on the books. The current controlling rule is Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 45.11(6)(a), which restricts the waters of Devil’s Lake in Devil’s Lake State Park to battery-powered electric motors operating at slow-no-wake speed — no faster than 5 mph.
That rule has been in place for over 60 years.
Before the ban, the lake looked very different. Motorboats were a normal part of summer here. Water skiing happened on Devil’s Lake. Historic postcards from that era show exactly that. (As the one above)
The Conservation Department’s decision changed that. The lake is a finite, enclosed basin with no inlet or outlet. Keeping combustion engines off the water was a straightforward call for long-term water quality.
What the Rule Actually Allows
“No gas-powered motorboats” has never meant no motors, period.
Recreational boaters can use battery-powered electric trolling motors at slow-no-wake speed. Many visitors bring larger boats — pontoons included — and run them under electric power while on the lake. That’s fully within the rules.
The park’s concessions operation keeps a gas-powered boat on the water. It’s used for recovering loose rental boats, restocking, and assisting customers. This is an operational vessel, not a recreational one, and it has been part of how the park functions for as long as the restriction has been in place.
Park wardens also operate gas-powered craft on the lake. Same category — operational, not recreational.
DNR scientific and research crews can run motorized vessels when their work requires it.
Sanctioned events — regattas and similar permitted activities — can bring gas-powered vessels onto the water under the terms of their permits.
None of this is a loophole. It’s how the rule was written.
What About the Boats You Actually See?
The most visible gas-powered boat on the lake is the concessions boat, usually tied to the dock near the south shore boat rental operation. If you’ve spent a summer afternoon at Devil’s Lake, you’ve probably seen it without thinking much about it.
In June 2026, we posted a reel showing the concessions boat getting tossed around in strong winds from an approaching storm. The footage drew a few thousand views and some comments from people who were certain a gas-powered boat on Devil’s Lake meant it was in some way, “fake”.
It wasn’t, of course. The boat is supposed to be there. It broke loose from the dock shortly after the video was shot and blew into shore — a genuinely dramatic moment, but nothing unexpected at the park.
It’s a good reminder that knowing a partial rule isn’t the same as understanding a situation. The boats are real, the rule is real, and the two aren’t in conflict.
The Short Version
| Boat type | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards | Yes |
| Electric trolling motors (no-wake) | Yes |
| Pontoon boats under electric power | Yes |
| Gas-powered recreational motorboats | No |
| Park concessions and warden vessels | Yes (operational) |
| DNR research vessels | Yes (permitted) |
| Sanctioned event craft | Yes (permitted event) |
The Rule, If You Want to Read It
The full text of Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 45.11(6)(a) is available through the Wisconsin Legislature’s website:
Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 45.11(6)(a)
DevilsLakeWisconsin.com has been publishing information about Devil’s Lake State Park and the Baraboo Hills since 1996. For current trail conditions, weekend events, and park updates, visit the homepage.
For nearly 30 years, the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most out of your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly, to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.
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