See Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws & Responsibilities under USEFUL LINKS for complete regulations.

DNR Hotline: 1-800-292-7800
Sheriff's Marine Patrol: 269-467-9045

Recently there have been questions about sailboat registration. We have clarified with the DNR that ALL sailboats regardless of length must be registered. The only boats that are exempt are nonpowered boats under 16 feet.

ALL BOATS (see below for PWC)

WHO MAY OPERATE A BOAT

Those less than 12 years of age:

• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 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 on board by a person at 16 least years of age.
• May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions.

Those 12 to 15 years of age:

• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions.
• May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board their boating safety certificate - OR - are accompanied on board by a person at least 16 years of age.

Those 16 years of age or older:

• May operate any boat (except PWC) on the waters of Michigan.

BOATING

• All power boats must go in a counter clockwise fashion.
• Speed limit on the lake is 55 MPH.
• Vessels must operate at least 100 feet from rafts, docks, occupied bathing areas and shoreline, except when proceeding at a "slow, no wake speed" which is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain forward movement.
• ALL boats - except privately owned non-motorized canoes, kayaks or row boats 16 feet in length or less - must be registered in Michigan, another state or another country. Registration must be in effect and the paper registration must be carried on board.
• Registration numbers and decal must be properly displayed.
• All vessels must have at least one type I, II, III or V Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that is U. S. Coast Guard approved wearable and the proper size for each person on board. Vessels 16 feet and longer also must have at least one type IV throwable PFD on board and readily accessible. Children under 6 years of age must wear an approved type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any boat.
• All boats are required to have at least one type B-1 fire extinguisher on board if any of the following conditions exist:
  • Permanently installed fuel tanks.
  • Closed compartments in which Gasoline may be stored.
  • Closed living space.

WATER SKIING AND TUBING

• May not be done during the period from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
• When pulling skiers, tubes, etc. boat must have both operator and observer.
• The "100 foot rule" applies to both boat and skier, tube, etc…the exception is when starting up or dropping off.

NIGHT OPERATION

• Non-powered vessels must be equipped with a white light, displayed in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
• Power boats must have white light aft and bow lights showing green to starboard (right) and red to port (left).

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) (JET SKIS, WAVE RUNNERS, ETC)

WHO MAY OPERATE A PWC

Those less than 12 years of age:

• May not legally operate a PWC

Those 12 and less than 14 years of age may operate a PWC only if all the following conditions are met:

• The person is accompanied by his or her parent or guardian, and
• Both the person and the parent or legal guardian must have a boating safety certificate, and
• The parent or legal guardian has the safety switch lanyard attached to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device (PFD) and
• The PWC is designed to carry at least two people.

Those 14 years of age or older:

A person born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC only if he or she has obtained a boating safety certificate, which must be carried on board.

A person born on December 31, 1978, or earlier may operate a PWC with our restrictions.

OPERATING A PWC

• All PWC's must go in a counter clockwise fashion.
• Speed limit on the lake is 55 MPH.
• The lanyard of the PWC's ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing or personal flotation device of the operator.
• PWC's must operate at least 100 feet from rafts, docks, occupied bathing areas and shoreline, except when proceeding at a "slow, no wake speed" which is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain forward movement.
• A person operating a PWC shall not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel, other than another PWC, unless the PWC is operating at a slow no wake speed, and shall not weave through congested vessel traffic, or disregard the rights or safety of others, or in any way operate a PWC in a reckless manner.
• PWC registration must be in effect and the paper registration must be carried on board. Registration numbers and decal must be properly displayed.
• Each person 12 years of age or older, riding or being towed, must wear a type I, II, or III personal flotation device (PFD). Each person less than 12 years of age, riding or being towed must wear type I or II PFD.
• Each PWC must be equipped with one type B-1 fire extinguisher.

LIABILITY OF OWNER

• The owner of a PWC is liable for any injury caused by a negligent operator. It is the responsibility of the owner to instruct anyone using his or her PWC about how to operate the PWC and about all applicable regulations.

WATER SKIING AND TUBING

• When pulling skiers, tubes, etc., PWC must have both operator and observer. The PWC must be designed to carry not less than two persons.
• The "100 foot rule" applies to both PWC and skier, tube, etc. The only exception is when starting up or dropping off.

NIGHT OPERATION - IS ILLEGAL

• A person shall not operate a PWC during the period that begins at sunset and ends at 8 a.m. This is a change in the rules this year; previously PWC had to be off the lake one hour before sunset.