The Most Common Boating Ticket in Minnesota Isn’t For Speeding

Welcome to summer in Minnesota. There are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy, one of which in the land of 10,000 lakes is boating. If you've got a boat, you know just how important it is to know the different rules and regulations that surround the safe operation of a boat on the water. What do you suppose is the most common ticketable offense for boaters in Minnesota?

Make Sure You Know Before You Go

While you are loading up the boat, getting ready to take it out on the lake with the whole family for perhaps the first time this year, besides remembering to bring extra gas, waterskis, a tube, sunscreen, and of course snacks, make sure you've got life jackets for everyone on board, including your kids.

Believe it or not, Minnesota has a law on the books that requires all boats to have Coast Guard-approved lifejackets for every child under 10 on a boat that is underway, meaning not tied to a dock.

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On top of having a lifejacket for each child, everyone on the boat must have a wearable and accessible lifejacket that is Coast Guard-approved. You'd be surprised at how many times enforcement officers inspect boats and find there are not enough life jackets on board, which often leads to citations for that boat owner.

New Boating Rules In Effect For 2026

According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources: Starting on July 1, 2025, a new law requires some adults and youth who operate motorboats—including personal watercraft—to have a valid watercraft operator's permit (commonly also known as a boater safety certificate).

That new rule will take effect over the next 3 years, including this year, where anyone born after June 30th, 2000, will need a watercraft operator's permit. So if you or someone you know will be turning 26 after July 1st, before they can operate a boat, they will need to get their permit.

You can get caught up on that change here.

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