Local Boards Collaborate on River Regulations for Slow No Wake Zones from Fremont to Lake Poygan

FREMONT- The Village of Fremont, Town of Fremont, and Town of Wolf River met Wednesday, November 13th, for a rare joint board session at the Fremont Village Hall. With full attendance from both town boards and a majority of the Village Board present, leaders focused on a shared goal. Discussing clear and consistent river rules for everyone enjoying the Wolf River system.

Officials agreed that matching Slow No Wake and Gap Day ordinances would make it easier for residents, visitors, and waterfront businesses to understand when rules apply. Consistent wording would also support better education on the water and reduce confusion as boaters travel between municipal borders.

Slow No Wake Hours

The three municipalities compared their current hours.

• Village of Fremont: 11:59 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday

• Town of Fremont: believed to be 12:00 a.m. Saturday to 12:00 a.m. Monday, pending verification

• Town of Wolf River: 6 p.m. Friday to 12:00 a.m. Sunday

Town of Wolf River officials noted their 2024 shift to a 6 p.m. Friday start was partly based on the belief that surrounding municipalities might make similar changes, which did not happen. The boards agreed that clear, shared wording is needed, no matter what hours are ultimately chosen.

The Town of Wolf River emphasized that no decisions have been made regarding their timing. They will hold a public forum before considering any changes. Regardless of whether they keep 6 p.m. Friday or adjust, all municipalities acknowledged that portions of the ordinance language will need revision.

The shared goal is to have updated, matching wording ready for each municipality to consider at their January 2026 meetings, so that the Fremont Chamber of Commerce can update their maps and signage in time for the 2026 boating season, depending on the outcome of Wolf River’s public feedback.

Gap Days, Holidays, and How They Work

The boards also reviewed draft updates to holiday and Gap Day language. Gap Days are extra holiday dates when Slow No Wake automatically applies due to heavier traffic. Under current wording, Slow No Wake runs from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., though the municipalities discussed adjusting the start time to 12:01 a.m. for clarity.

Slow No Wake is enforced on:

• Memorial Day Weekend: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

• Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

• July 4

• July 3 when July 4 falls on a Tuesday or Saturday

• July 5 when July 4 falls on a Thursday or Sunday

These “float days” that surround the Fourth of July ensure the busiest days are covered. All three municipalities expressed support for adopting the same holiday list, float days, and times.

The Town of Wolf River noted its ordinance contains a wording error that must be corrected regardless of any future updates.

Seasonal Alignment and Enforcement

Board members also voiced support for matching the seasonal Slow No Wake period used along the river. All three municipalities expressed interest in adopting a shared seasonal framework that spans from ice out to October 1. This follows the structure currently used by the Town of Wolf River and would give boaters a unified timeline.

Enforcement was another major theme of the evening. Officials noted that Waupaca County has been doing a strong job of enforcing Slow No Wake in the downtown Fremont area. Winnebago County has faced staffing challenges that make consistent patrol on the river more difficult.

Board members discussed the general idea of seeking coordination among the two county sheriff departments and the Wisconsin DNR. This included asking whether the DNR, which keeps a boat in the Village of Fremont, could focus efforts in the Town of Wolf River area when the county is unable to have a boat available. No specific commitments were made.

A Productive Meeting

While Slow No Wake topics often generate strong opinions, the joint session remained focused and cooperative. Officials agreed that any major future changes should again be discussed together in a similar joint meeting format to allow board members and residents to be on the same page.

The joint session highlighted the value of open communication among the three small communities. By continuing to work together and share information, the boards aim to provide clear and consistent guidance for residents, visitors and waterfront businesses!

Weyauwega Fremont News will publish details once the Town of Wolf River schedules its public forum.

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