Boating Laws
Hardwood Lake Boating Laws & Safety Guidelines
This information is current as of July 2025 and is displayed here as a courtesy.
Always check for the latest regulations before boating. Your Boat - Your Responsibility.
Michigan DNR Boaters Safety Information
Life Jackets (Personal Flotation Devices)
- Everyone on board must have access to a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket of the right size and in good condition.
- Children under 6: Must wear a life jacket at all times on the open deck of a moving vessel.
- Personal Watercraft (PWCs), like Jet Skis: All riders must wear a non-inflatable, Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, or III life jacket at all times—no exceptions.
- Tubing, waterskiing, or being towed: Everyone must wear a Type I, II, or III life jacket; inflatables are not allowed.
Boater Safety Education Requirements
- Born after June 30, 1996: Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating certificate and have it on board the boat.
- Personal Watercraft (PWC) operators:
- Under 14: Cannot operate a PWC at all.
- Age 14–15: May operate a PWC if they have a safety certificate and are accompanied on board (or within 100ft) by a parent/legal guardian or an adult designated by them.
- Age 16 or older: Must have a valid safety certificate if born after December 31, 1978.
Boating safety courses are approved by the state and may be taken online or in person.
Vessel Registration Numbers
- All motorized boats and PWCs must display a valid Michigan registration number and current decal.
- Validation Decal: Boaters need to check the expiration date on the decal. If the decal reads “25,” then it expired March 31, 2025.
- Registration must be renewed every three years.
- Canoes, kayaks, and other hand-powered vessels are exempt unless motorized.
High-Speed Boating
- Statewide speed limit: No vessel may exceed 55 mph, except when one mile or more offshore on the Great Lakes or Lake St. Clair.
- No-wake (slowest possible speed) within 100 feet of:
- The shore
- Swimmers
- Docks, rafts, anchored boats, or moored boats in water under 3 feet deep
- High-speed boating is restricted during specific hours
Water Skiing, Tubing & Towing
- Skiing, tubing, or towing allowed only during daylight hours (from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset).
- Operators must ensure at least one additional observer (other than the driver) is on board to monitor the skier/tow.
- Persons being towed must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Counter-Clockwise Operation
- All boats must travel in a counter-clockwise direction (keeping the shoreline on your right when circling the lake) when towing skiers or operating at speed, unless prohibited for safety reasons.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) Regulations
- Must not be operated within 150 feet behind another vessel (unless following another PWC), or within 100 feet of the shore except at slow, no-wake speed and when traveling perpendicular to the shore.
- Cannot operate in water less than 2 feet deep except at no wake to dock or launch.
- No PWC operation between sunset and 8:00 a.m..
Right-of-Way & Navigation Rules
- Practice good seamanship, maintain a proper lookout, and operate at a safe speed.
- Yield right-of-way as required by navigation rules—powered boats generally yield to sailboats and human-powered craft.
Additional Safety Notes
- Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited. Operators with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher face significant penalties.
- Keep noise to a minimum and avoid disturbing wildlife or damaging vegetation.
- Attach ignition safety lanyards (kill switches) if your boat or PWC is equipped with one.
Helpful Resources
For full law details, safety class registration, or updated regulations, check with official state and local resources.
Boating is fun, but safety is mandatory. Please review Michigan’s boating handbook whenever you plan to hit the water, and encourage all guests to do the same. Safe boating protects your family, friends, and fellow lake enthusiasts.
This information is current as of July 2025. Always check for the latest regulations before boating.
