Do you See Something Unsafe on our Lake?
If you see any violations or unsafe conduct:
Please take pictures and/or video and report them to the Wright and/or Stearns County Sheriff’s Water Patrol Department. Please try to get the Boat or Jet Ski Licence Number and Driver in Photo/Video (if possible). Report this incident as soon as possible to:
Wright County Water Patrol Officer:
Drew.Scherber@co.wright.mn.us Direct Phone: (763) 684-4534
New Boater Education Law
Effective Date : July 1 , 2025
Starting on July 1, 2025, a new Minnesota law will require some adults and youth who operate motorboats—including personal watercraft—to have a valid watercraft operator’s permit.
People who already have a watercraft operator’s permit are not affected by the law, which is designed to make boating safer by ensuring everyone operating a motorized watercraft knows the rules and is properly trained. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Adult operators:
· Permit requirement: Some adults (defined below) will need a valid operator’s permit to drive any motorboat or personal watercraft starting July 1, 2025.
· Exemptions: Some adults are exempt from this requirement. Check the law for specific exemptions.
· Supervised operation: People without a permit still can operate a boat, but only if there’s an accompanying operator (defined below) onboard.
Young operators:
· Restrictions on high-powered watercraft: Young operators (people less than 12 years old), can’t operate a personal watercraft or any motorboat with a motor over 75 horsepower.
· Low-powered motorboats: Young operators can operate a motorboat that’s not a personal watercraft and has a motor under 75 horsepower as long as there is an accompanying operator in the motorboat.
Who is considered an adult operator?
Is 12 years old or older, and was born after these dates:
June 30, 2004 (starts July 1, 2025)
June 30, 1996 (starts July 1, 2027)
June 30, 1987 (starts July 1, 2028)
This means people born after June 30, 2004, will need a permit to operate a watercraft.
SIGN UP NOW to take the DNR Watercraft Operator’s Permit Course:
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/education.html.
MINNESOTA PERSONAL WATERCRAFT LAWS
You Must…
· Wear a USCG-approved life jacket. Comply with label.
Travel at slow no-wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of: nonmotorized boats; shore (unless launching or landing skiers directly to or from open water); docks; swim rafts; swimmers; or any moored or anchored boat.
· Operate only from 9:30 a.m. to one hour before sunset.
· Use the cutoff lanyard properly.
· Obey operator age and permit laws for those younger than 18 years old.
You Must Not…
· Chase or harass wildlife.
· Jump the wake of another boat within 150 feet of the craft.
· Operate a personal watercraft in a manner that endangers life, limb or property. Protect Your Sport Respect your neighbors.
· Don’t operate for long periods in the same area or near occupied boats or shore.
This is only a summary of the laws as of June 2018 and is required to be visible to the operator on all personal watercraft in Minnesota. For more information contact: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Boat and Water Safety 500 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, MN 55155-4047 651-296-6157 | 888-646-6367 |
mndnr.gov/boatingsafety. email: info.dnr@state.mn.us
Ice Safety
