VILLAGE OF ELKHART LAKE POLICE BOAT PATROL

The Village of Elkhart Lake Police Department has an active water patrol. In addition to patrolling Elkhart Lake, the Police Department contracts with the Town of Rhine to patrol both Crystal Lake, and Little Elkhart Lake. The department utilizes three boats, one of which is kept on each of the lakes.

Elkhart Lake

At 118 feet deep and 286 acres, this lake is called home by a wide variety of fish species. Musky, walleye, northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, and occasional crappie all inhabit the lake. The lake is open to the public with a public boat landing located on County Highway P just south of County Highway JP. There is also a public beach called Fireman’s Park, typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are shelters and volleyball courts available for family functions. For additional information regarding the public beach call 920-889-2103.

Crystal Lake

At a maximum depth of 61 feet, the 152 acres of clear water on Crystal Lake provide good habitat for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch. Northern pike and walleye are also present. There is a public boat landing located on County Highway C just east of the Crystal Lake Golf Course.

Little Elkhart Lake

This small but scenic lake, at only 54 acres and about 21 feet deep, holds primarily largemouth bass, bluegill and yellow perch. There is a 14-inch size limit on largemouth bass. A public boat landing is located on Schwaller Drive, just north of State Highway 67.

Local Regulations for All Three Lakes

A speed of Slow-No-Wake is in effect all year long from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

There is a 35-mph speed limit.

No Sunday operation of motor driven boats is allowed, during the hours of 12:01 a.m. to midnight on Sundays, beginning the second Sunday in June through and including the second Sunday in September. Electric motors are allowed.

Slow-No-Wake is defined as the slowest possible speed at which a boat can operate while still maintaining steerage.

A counter-clockwise course should be maintained while boating.

Additional Local Regulation for Elkhart Lake Only

There is a speed limit of Slow-No-Wake at all times, between the shoreline and the No-Wake buoys which go around the perimeter of the lake.

The outlet, where the boat landing is located, is a Slow-No-Wake area. You must operate at Slow-No-Wake until you clear the outlet area, reaching the main body of water, and drive past the Slow-No-Wake buoys which go around the perimeter of the lake.

A complete listing of the State of Wisconsin Boating Regulations is available at the Elkhart Lake Police Department, your local DNR office or on the Wisconsin DNR website.