As long as you have sandy soil, and roots can continually seek water, you stand a good chance. Look around the lake in coves, see if you find willows anywhere else. If so, are they dead, or alive? Use real world situations around the lake, and try to duplicate what is naturally working.
Willow roots will grow up, down, sideways, seeking water. As a matter of fact, I have too many willows with extensive root systems above the soil, from growth in high water situations.
It's a cheap experiment. For your lake, I would do it.
For everyone else, especially in private waters, avoid willows at all cost.

Teach a man to grow fish...
He can teach to catch fish...