TWF Explains Indiana’s New Wake Surf Law, Which Takes Effect July 1

NORTH WEBSTER - The Watershed Foundation (TWF) is providing guidance and answering questions about Indiana’s new wake surfing law, which takes effect July 1, 2026.
On March 13, 2026, House Bill 1062 was signed into law. In the preceding months, hundreds of residents contacted their state representatives in support of the bill, citing concerns about shoreline erosion, water quality in smaller lakes, and nighttime safety. Indiana State Rep. Dave Abbott worked for seven years to advance the legislation, which was supported by The Watershed Foundation (TWF) and local lake communities, according to a news release from TWF.
What the new law says
● 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.
● If a small lake has speed exemptions already in place (for example, skiing only between the hours of 1-4 p.m.), then wake surfing must align with the same hours.
For full bill details, visit iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/house/1062/details
Changes on
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 the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed have special speed exemptions. Big Lake and Loon Lake in Noble and Whitley counties are small lakes with a 10 mph speed limit, but they allow skiing and other high-speed boating activities from 1-4 p.m. each day. Wake surfing is now only permitted during these same times.
Why is this
legislation
important?
This bill helps balance recreation with lake protection on Indiana's smaller, more delicate lakes, the release states. The Watershed Foundation advocated for this bill based on scientific evidence to protect and improve water quality and reduce the ecological impact of wake boating activities on small lakes. Lyn Crighton, executive director of The Watershed Foundation, said, “We also believe these changes will help make our waters safer for all to enjoy, though that was not our focus.”
Many lake residents assumed wake surfing was already illegal due to nighttime speed restrictions. However, the legal limit is 10 mph, and wake surfing can occur below that speed — making it previously allowed on small lakes and at night.
How will
the legislation
protect lakes?
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.
For summary reports, scientific articles, videos, and FAQ’s, visit watershedfoundation.org/blog/understanding-indianas-new-wake-surfing-law/ or contact TWF.
Key Takeaways
● Data indicated that wakesurf boats require distances greater than 500 feet from the shoreline/docks to decrease their wake wave characteristics to levels similar to those of the non-wakesurf boats.
● Wakeboats can directly resuspend sediments in the water. This can indirectly lead to the release of nutrients that can cause excessive algae growth.
● All powerboats, when leisurely cruising or planing, should operate in 10 feet of water or greater to minimize impacts.
● During surfing, wake boats should operate in depths of 20 feet or greater to reduce negative impacts on the lake.
Based on this research, many other states have proposed or enacted legislation requiring wake surfing or boating in wake-surf mode to be conducted at distances of 500 feet or greater from shore and in depths of 20 feet or more.
Looking Forward
The Watershed Foundation is developing lake maps to help boaters identify areas where wake surfing and other water sports can be conducted with minimal environmental impact.
HB 1062 represents an important step toward protecting Indiana’s small lakes, according to the release. TWF will continue to share science-based information and promote responsible recreation.