DNR - Boating

Boating in Michigan

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• Michigan Waterways Commission creates emergency dredging plan With current water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron at all-time lows - and levels in lakes Michigan, Huron and St. Clair expected to continue dropping - the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that the Michigan State Waterways Commission has adopted an emergency dredging plan that will provide zero-match grant funding opportunities for harbors of refuge, recreational boating harbors, marinas and boat launches most affected by the low water levels.
View documents from the Emergency Dredging Meeting

• Online Boating Safety Classes and ExamMichigan now offers two online boating safety classes and Exam:
BoatEd.com and BoaterExam.com

• Harbor Listing

• Download a Copy of the Michigan Harbors Guide This publication is designed to offer information, location and amenities of Michigan's many harbors. It provides an aerial photograph and short description of each harbor to offer you a view of what to expect while traveling on Michigan's waters.

• Eagle Lake Land Acquisition Process Eagle Lake, located in Cass County, is a 379 acre body of water with no public boating access site. Providing public boating access on Eagle Lake has been a priority for the DNR for several years, however adequate land has not been available for development of such a site. Over the last few years a potential land acquisition opportunity was identified near the southeast corner of the lake along Eagle Lake Road. The property, commonly known as The Dock Property, contains a boat ramp on Eagle Lake and a former restaurant across Eagle Lake Road. The property also presents an opportunity to provide public boating access on a channel along the north of the property that leads to the chain of Christiana, Juno, and Painter Lakes.

• Houghton Lake Dredged Holes Houghton Lake has a large amount of dredged holes that can present a hazard to those unfamiliar with them. These holes were created many years ago by a dredging machine that pulled material from the bottomlands of Houghton Lake. The holes, which vary in size and depth, are shown on the map which is available here. There is also a listing of the known holes which have been inventoried by members of the Houghton Lake community. This list contains detailed location, depth and size information for reference. The list can be found here. The DNR does not certify the accuracy of this information and it is provided as a reference only.

• Who Needs to Take a Boater Safety Course? Michigan conservation officers and Michigan county sheriffs encourage all persons operating boats in Michigan to enroll in a boating safety course.

• Welcome to the Water No matter if you love the open sea, enjoy the whine of a reel or just like the whip of the wind through your hair, the water is there, waiting for you.

• The Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities The Handbook defines the basics of boating, laws and regulations, navigation rules, weather emergencies, encountering other vessels and much more. Safe navigation on Michigan waterways is the responsibility of everyone. NOW AVAILABLE Kindle edition

• Map of Michigan Harbors

• Anglers and Boaters: You are an important partner in preventing the spread of fish diseases and other aquatic nuisance species Anglers and boaters can take some easy steps to prevent the spread of fish diseases and other aquatic nuisance species such as zebra mussels by taking the following steps to help prevent the spread of the virus.

• Waterways Watch Be on the lookout for suspicious activity this summer and help keep Michigan's waterways safe.

• Michigan Recreation Boating Information System (MRBIS) There are over 1,300 public boating access sites and over 80 harbors and marinas throughout the State of Michigan administered by State, county, and local units of government. This website gives you the ability to locate and map boating access sites, harbors, and marinas for your next boating adventure! Use the Fish Finder!!

• Inland Lake Maps Now you can access bathymetry maps from the DNR Web site!