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Michigan boating

single boat moving across the water

Michigan boating

Surrounded by one-fifth of the planet’s fresh surface water, it’s no surprise Michigan is home to great boating and fantastic freshwater recreation opportunities. With more than 1,000 public boat launches and 82 public harbors across the state, you'll find easy access to 3,300 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,000 inland lakes and tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams.
boating safety certificate

Boater safety certificate

Boaters born after June 30, 1996 and most personal watercraft operators must have a boating safety certificate.

boat registration

Boat registration

All watercraft, unless exempt, must be registered. All registrations expire on March 31 in the third year of issuance.
closures

Check closures

Know before you go - check our closures page for updated information on boat launch and harbor closures.

safety

Safety information

Understand safety information including life jacket rules, water safety and electric shock drowning hazards.

Avoid power loading - it can damage your boat, motor and trailer, as well as the boat ramp.

Where to boat

Great Lakes harbors

Find resources to help plan your Great Lakes boating trip, including the harbor guide, making a reservation, a harbor map and more.

Boating access sites

Locate and map more than 1,300 Michigan public boating access sites and 80 harbors and marinas administered by state, county, and local units of government.

Boat rentals in state parks

Many of our state parks offer boat rentals, including canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, paddle boats, row boats and more.

Michigan handbook of boating laws and responsibilities

Rules and regulations

Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws

A comprehensive handbook defining Michigan's boating laws and regulations, navigation rules, weather emergencies, encountering other vessels and much more.

Read the handbook »

rules and regulations

ALL boat laws, rules and regulations

Learn about alcohol restrictions, hours of operation, buoys and markers and much more.

operator age restrictions

Age restrictions

Learn how old you need to be to operate a boat or personal watercraft (such as a wave runner/jet ski)

life jacket

Life jacket rules

Who needs to wear a life jacket and what type of personal floatation device needs to be carried on your boat in Michigan.

no wake zone

Local watercraft rules

Know the rules about motorboats, high-speed boating, water skiing and more for particular waterbodies.

Boating and fishing laws Video

Boating and fishing laws

To help prevent the spread of invasive species, there are laws that address the removal of drain plugs and aquatic organisms from boats and trailers, and the disposal of unused baitfish.

What you need to know
clear bag of boat shrink-wrap

Recycling options

There are options to go green, even when you're thinking blue! Thanks to the efforts of Michigan's boating industry, there are easy options to recycle your shrink-wrap and fishing line. There's also a program in the works to recycle fiberglass boats.

Find recycling options »

At work for you

Learn how our waterways are managed to best provide outdoor recreation opportunities for you and future generations.

The Michigan Waterways Program helps fund the construction, operation and maintenance of public boating facilities such as harbors and marinas on the Great Lakes and boating access sites on our inland lakes.

Managing Michigan's waterways facilities »

Waterways Commission »

Boating news

Recreation Passport logo in red and blue with decorative circle

Recreation Passport

Your key to Michigan state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, boating access sites and state trailheads all year long. See where it can take you!

Michigan.gov/RecreationPassport.