Lake Michigan shorelines in Wisconsin

McRad

Newbie
May 16, 2010
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While I'm new to this site, I have many years of TH under my belt. Yesterday, I ran into a law enforcement officer walking on a Lake Michigan beach near Milwaukee. He did not say anything to me, but I was a bit concerned he was going to pull out his pad and start writing or kick me out.

With all the changing regulations in Wisconsin, can anyone shed some light on the legality or rights of metal detecting on the sandy shorelines of Lake Michigan?

Where can you find information from the DNR as it pertains to public rights on the sandy shorelines,(not in the water), either on public or private lands?

This is a great site, especially for the folks in our state. I look forward to contributing. Meanwhile, your help is appreciated.
 

Bumpstick

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Jun 1, 2008
602
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Lake Country WI.
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Glad to have you join in on the Wisconsin forum.
Since Johnny law didn't bother you I wouldn't worry.
I have never been accosted by the law for running my detector.
Some parks are a different story since they manicure the lawn.
Ask before you dig and fill all your holes. Treat it like it was your own front yard.
There may be some law some where but I haven't seen or read any.
 

jimb

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Feb 22, 2008
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Back in the middle seventies the Wisconsin Association of Treasure Hunters met with the Milwaukee parks commissioner and pleaded the case for detecting in the city parks. So by their efforts all can detect in the parks there with no problems. Just fill in your holes and pratice making their lawn look like your lawn. It is best to use a screw driver as a probe. It takes pratice but you will find that if done right no one will ever know that you were there.
 

onfire

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Nov 30, 2004
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I've done many inland lakes by asking for a permit get one at the local DNR office for that area it has restrictions but fair most have time s when to hunt so you don't bother the bikini crowd. Never heard about lake Michigan though.
 

Bum Luck

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May 24, 2008
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onfire said:
I've done many inland lakes by asking for a permit get one at the local DNR office for that area it has restrictions but fair most have time s when to hunt so you don't bother the bikini crowd. Never heard about lake Michigan though.

You aren't going to get one anymore from the DNR, thanks to their archaeologist, Mark Dudzik. All DNR controlled lands are off limits, and we are being portrayed as grave robbers and looters.
 

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