Ned Kehde would like to be the only guy on the lake when he goes fishing.

“But there’s nothing I can do about it,” he said. “I like to fish public waters. It’s more of a challenge.”

As a result, Kehde tries to fish around other people at a variety of lakes — including Lone Star Lake in southwest Douglas County. But Lone Star is less peaceful than it used to be.

“There’s been some complaints about the fact that boaters are not adhering to the ‘no-wake’ policy,” Douglas County Public Works Director Keith Browning said. “Boats need to keep at a slow speed so they don’t cause waves.”

Frustration with fast boaters on the lake has prompted a half-dozen complaints to county officials — including one from Kehde — in recent days.

Lake users complained they saw several fishing boats “going fast,” Browning said.

More people are using Lone Star than in the past, Browning said. But signs about the “no wake” policy were taken down briefly for replacement.

“That may be part of the problem,” he said.

While one fisherman casts his line in calm water at Lone Star Lake, a second fishing boat goes speeding by, kicking up waves. A few people have complained that motorboaters are breaking no

Douglas County commissioners have authorized enrolling in the community fisheries assistance program through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

That means lake patrons no longer must purchase a special license from Douglas County to fish and boat at Lone Star Lake — and that is bringing more boaters and fishermen to the area.

“New people out there may not be aware of the policy,” Browning said.

The no-wake policy is in place because it makes the experience at the lake more peaceful. Limiting the waves also slows erosion of the shoreline.