The Michigan DNR requires that boaters born after June 30, 1997, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan must have a boating safety certificate.

Responsible Boating: Ensuring our lake remains clean

Dumping garbage and plastics into federally controlled and state water is illegal. You must store trash in a container on board, and place it in a proper receptacle after returning to shore.

Stop the spread of nuisance species!

To prevent the spread of nuisance species:

• Inspect your boat and trailer, and remove any nuisance species (zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil) you see before leaving the lake.
• Before leaving the lake, drain your motor and bilge on land.
• Never release live bait into the lake or release aquatic animals from one lake into another. Empty your bait on land.

Who may operate a boat?

Those younger than age 12:

• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) without restrictions.
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised onboard by a person at least 16 years old.
• May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions.

Those born on or after July 1, 1997, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.

Those born before July 1, 1997, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.

Who may operate a personal watercraft (PWC):

• Those younger than age 14 may not legally operate a PWC.
• Those 14 and 15 years old may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and:
  • They are accompanied on board by their parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years old who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.
  • They are operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from their parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years old who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.
• Those at least 16 years old and born after Dec. 31, 1979, may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
• Those born on or before Dec. 31, 1979, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

Towing skiers, tubers, wakeboarders, etc.:

• Every vessel (boat or PWC) towing a person(s) on water skis, tubes, wakeboards, or similar devices must have a person-spotter in addition to the operator observing the towed person(s) at all times.

It is illegal to tow skiers, tubers, etc., or any device of this type between:

• One hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise if towed behind a boat.
• One hour before sunset and 8:00 a.m. if towed behind a PWC.

People being towed must stay at least 100 feet away from:

• Any moored or anchored vessel.
• Any docks or rafts.
• Any marked swimming area or person(s) in the water.

Those being towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III personal floatation device (PFD). Inflatable PFDs may not be used.

Diver down flags:

• Divers or snorkelers must display a diver down flag to mark their diving area. Divers must stay within 100 feet of the vertical position of their diver-down flag.
• Boats/PWC must remain at least 200 feet away from diver-down flags.
• A diver down flag is a rectangular red flag, at least 14 inches by 16 inches, with three white diagonal stripes.

To obtain a copy of the Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities Click Here.

To obtain The Study Guide for Boating Education click here.