Minnesota DNR Boating Regulations

In Minnesota, the DNR requires that all motorized watercraft be licensed. Non-motorized vehicles need only be licensed if they are longer than nine feet. If your watercraft requires a license and does not have one, it is illegal to operate the vehicle in Minnesota lakes and rivers.

Register your boat or other watercraft at your local Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office. You'll need to know the usual registration items, such as the boat's HIN (Hull Identification Number), the manufacturer, model and year. You must also know the length of your boat, what the hull is made of and the type of propulsion it uses. Remember to bring your sales receipt to prove that you have paid the sales tax on the vehicle. The registration fee depends on the type and length of your boat.

Once you receive the registration number for your craft, you are required to display that number on the sides of the hull, forward half, only if your boat is motorized. Letters and numbers must be at least three inches high, in block-letter form, and contrast in color with the background color. For non-motorized craft, such a kayaks, canoes and sail boats, you will receive two small decals that must be affixed to the forward half of each side of the vehicle.

At least one personal flotation device (PFD) must be included on any boat for each person. Children under 10 must wear a life jacket at all times. Ring-type buoys are no longer included in the list of acceptable PFDs; however, vehicles longer than 16 feet must carry at least one. A portable white light is required for all craft that do not have built-in lighting. Depending on the size of the boat, at least one, but as many as three, fire extinguishers must be carried on board.

The Minnesota DNR provides a 72-page guide that you can download free of charge (see Resources). The Minnesota Boating Guide is a summary of the rules and laws that apply to boaters who operate watercraft on Minnesota's rivers and lakes.