Boating FAQs
Click the links below to jump to a spcific section of the FAQs page:
What do I need to do to make my boat "legal" and ready to go?
This varies depending on the make, propulsion type and length of your boat. First, make sure your boat is properly titled, registered, and the bow numbers are displayed correctly. Sailboats and motor boats are required to be registered whenever on the water and all registrations expire December 31.
The minimum safety equipment for both powered and non-powered boats includes life jackets and a sounding device. Additional items such as visual distress signals, an oar and bucket are required on federal waters such as Lake Coeur d'Alene and Bear Lake. Gas-powered motors require fire extinguishers if there are any closed compartments (even a live well) and fire extinguishers need to say "marine approved" and "approved by the Coast Guard" on the label. Inboard motors need to have a backfire flame arrester. Boats with a cabin or berth usually call for a special toilet called a marine sanitation device. If equipped with a marine sanitation device, it must be Coast Guard approved.
A good way to be sure you have what you need is to contact the local county sheriff's office or the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a free inspection. An inspection sticker tells others that you care not only about your own crew but about other boaters. Above all, make sure your motor, electrical, and fuel systems have been checked out by a mechanic, and any fuel spills in the bilge are cleaned up before you go.
Does my vessel need to be registered if it is being powered by an electric trolling motor?
Yes, vessels powered by electric trolling motors need to be registered in Idaho. Adding the electric trolling motor makes the vessel a motor-driven vessel, and all motorized vessels must register.
Does my drift boat, canoe, kayak, or other manually propelled vessel need to be registered?
Your vessel only needs to be registered if it has any kind of motor. This includes electric trolling motors.
Where can I find the Idaho Safe Boating Act?
To view an electronic copy of the Idaho Safe Boating Act, click here.
What waters in Idaho are Federally controlled and what does that mean to me?
Federally controlled waters have some differences from other waters in the state of Idaho. For example, additional safety items such as visual distress signals, an oar, and bucket are required in Federal waters. To learn more about Federally controlled waters and for a list of waters within the state of Idaho that are Federally controlled, click here.
What should I do if I am involved in a boating accident?
If you are involved in a boating accident and the accident meets any of the following criteria, you must file a report with the sheriff in the county where the accident occurred:
- Damages to persons or property involved in the accident are $500 or more.
- The accident results in an injury, missing person, or fatality.
An electronic copy of the report form can be downloaded here. Once you fill the form out, take it with you to the local sheriff's office.
Are there special regulations for riding personal watercraft?
Personal Watercraft (PWC) are small, jet-propelled boats designed to carry one to three people to sit on top rather than inside a vessel. Often referred to as "jet skis," these watercraft are considered motorboats and are subject to the same regulations as motorboats, including equipment and responsible handling. Additionally, for a life jacket to be considered "readily accessible" on a PWC, it must be worn. All riders must wear their life jackets at all times while the PWC is under way.
There are no additional rules addressing PWCs, except when renting them. Idaho law requires those who rent PWCs to deliver education. Afterwards, each rider must carry the state's verification of education card whenever operating (driving) a rented PWC. If one person out of a large group pays for the rental, he or she is legally responsible to make sure everyone else who rides also views the educational video and carries their own wallet card when they drive. Contact the Boating Program Specialist if you are a PWC rental business needing information.
Idaho counties have the authority to enact restrictions for personal watercraft that are more strict than state law. Examples of counties that have stricter laws than the state regarding PWC operation include Bonner and Kootenai Counties. It is your responsibility to know the rules for the county in which you plan to recreate.
Idaho and PWC manufacturers recommend that all drivers be at least 16 years old, and that all riders wear a helmet, protective shoes and life jacket.
Special concerns for PWC Operators:
- There is a statewide no-wake zone. Slow to 5 mph within 100 feet of a dock, structure or person in the water.
- Wake jumping, when the craft is "airborne" close behind another boat is restricted. A safe distance is 100 feet.
- Towing a skier or tuber requires a manufacturer's capacity rating for three people.
- It takes three to ski. The driver must have a passenger serve as the spotter and operate the skier-down flag. The PWC must have three-person seating for the operator, observer, and skier.
- Operating at night is prohibited without the proper combination of lights installed by the manufacturer.
- Yield the right-of-way to other powerboats and skiers.
Are there speed limits on Idaho's waterways?
Idaho has designated a 100-foot "no-wake zone" from all docks, structures and persons in the water on public waters statewide. Often, local agencies such as Benewah County, Kootenai County or McCall City pass additional speed restrictions from the shoreline, between boats and at specific sites. It is a good idea to contact local organizations where you plan to ride. County-specific ordinances dealing with speed limits are posted below. (This is not an all-inclusive list. Please contact your local county sheriff’s office for more information on county ordinances/laws pertaining to boating).
State law allows for exemptions when pulling a water skier. Unless otherwise marked, it is ok to travel over a no-wake zone within 100 feet from the dock or person in the water when safely pulling a water skier straight out from a dock, or when safely dropping off a water skier back to a dock, or when the "other person in the water" is the vessel's skier.
County-Specific Boating Laws & Ordinances
Adams (258KB)
- 35 m.p.h. during the day, 20 m.p.h. at night. This includes the Snake River from Hells Canyon Park south to Oxbow Dam, and on Oxbow Reservoir from Eagle Island to Brownlee Dam. Click above to read about Adams County boating laws.
Benewah (485KB)
- 50 m.p.h. during the day and 35 m.p.h. at night, county wide. 25 m.p.h. at all times from Cherry Bend Park to St. Maries Plywood Mill.
Kootenai (106KB)
- 50 m.p.h. during the day, 20 m.p.h. at night, county wide. On the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene Rivers, and Lower Twin Lakes the speed limits are 35 m.p.h. during the day and 20 m.p.h. at night. Click above to read about Kootenai County boating laws.
Bonner
- 50 m.p.h. during the day and 25 m.p.h. at night, county wide. Click above to read about Bonner County boating laws.
Valley
- 50 m.p.h. during the day and 20 m.p.h. at night on Payette Lake. Click above to read about Valley County boating laws.
Are wake surfing and teak surfing legal in Idaho?
County sheriffs and deputy sheriffs are responsible for enforcement of boating laws in Idaho and county marine deputies may issue a negligent operation citation for these activities. The reason that wake surfing and teak surfing are considered negligent operation is for a variety of reasons including the potential for surfers to collide with the stern of the boat if the boat slows down or changes direction, the potential for surfers to fall and be struck by a propeller, and the potential impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning. Researchers have noted over 150 fatalities and over 800 poisonings for boating-related carbon monoxide incidents nationwide. If a county marine deputy feels that you are surfing in a manner that is hazardous a citation could be issued. For more information, contact your local county marine deputy. Click here to find your county sheriff's phone number.
Is there a minimum age or proficiency exam required to operate a power boat?
While there is yet no state law requiring a minimum age or proficiency exam, some counties are adopting such laws for their local waterways. Be sure to contact the county where you plan to ride.
Here is a brief run down of county-specific ordinances involving age. (Keep in mind that there could be other county ordinances that are stricter than state law.) Make sure you check with your local marine deputies before heading out!
If you would like to read the entire ordinance for each county, just click on the county's name.
- Adams County: Children under the age of ten cannot operate a motor driven watercraft except they are under direct adult supervision; Anyone under the age of 14 cannot operate or allow to be operated without adult supervision if the vessel is powered by a motor rated higher than 15 horsepower
- Benewah County: Children between the ages of 10-14 cannot operate a motorboat with a motor rating of 15 horsepower or higher unless they are under direct supervision of an adult operator; Children under the age of 10 may not operate any motorboat except under the direct supervision of an adult
- Bonner County: Children under the age of 10 cannot operate a motor-driven watercraft (including Personal Watercraft) unless under direct adult supervision; Children between the ages of 10-14 cannot operate a motorboat with a motor rating higher than 10 horsepower
- Kootenai County: Adult supervision is required when an operator of a boat or other vessel is between the ages of 10-14, unless the motor is 15 horsepower or less
- Valley County: Anyone under the age of 12 cannot operate a motorized vessel unless they are under direct adult supervision; Anyone under the age of 16 cannot operate a motor driven vessel if the motor is rated greater than 15 horsepower
Are boaters or rafters required to wear life jackets?
Children fourteen and under must wear an approved life jacket when they are aboard a boat 19 feet in length or less whenever the boat is underway or under power. This applies to manually propelled boats such as canoes and rafts in addition to powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis) and fishing float tubes.
Also, the right kind of personal floatation device must be on board the motorboat or paddle craft and within quick reach for adults. That is, they must say "Coast Guard Approved" on the label, be the right fit for the person on board, be the kind you wear (not a cushion or ring buoy) and in like new condition. Stored under the seat or in a dry bag is not considered within quick reach. Of course, just like a seat belt during an auto accident, a life jacket won't do you much good if you don't have it on BEFORE you fall overboard. If you have a boat sixteen feet or longer you also need a Type IV floatation aid which is designed to be thrown, not worn (like a ring buoy).
Non-powered canoes and kayaks do not have to carry the Type IV ring buoy or personal floatation aid, by federal exemption.
How To Choose an Appropriate Life Jacket
Not all life jackets are created equal. There are a few things that you need to keep in mind when purchasing and using this important piece of equipment:
- Make sure the life jacket is U. S. Coast Guard approved. If it is not approved, DO NOT BUY IT! It is not considered a valid life jacket and may not work as you would expect it to when needed.
- Make sure the life jacket fits the intended wearer. The easiest way to check to see if it fits is to do up the jacket and tighten the straps. Have someone pull up on the shoulders of the jacket. If the jacket pops up to you ears, it is too large and will more than likely come off when you enter the water.
- Make sure the jacket is in good condition. If your life jacket has any rips, tears, missing buckles, etc., it is time to purchase a new jacket!
- Make sure the life jacket will work for the intended activity. Inflatable life jackets cannot be worn during activities when there is even the slightest chance you will knock unconscious, such as water skiing or riding a PWC. Also, you must also be at least 16 to wear an inflatable life jacket.
How do I obtain information about a specific marina or dock?
Idaho has a county-based boating program. To obtain information about a specific location, contact the county parks and recreation manager, or the county waterways chairperson. Most county commissioners appoint a waterways committee to advise on matters relating to waterways docks, construction, maintenance, local laws and user fees. In some cases the site may be managed by a federal agency, a private marina, a power company or a city.
Where do I get information about permits to build a private dock on a public waterway?
For information and permits to place or maintain docks, buoys, or anything else on the public waterway contact the Idaho Department of Lands, Navigable Waters Section.
Are float tubes really a vessel? Do they have to be registered?
Fly fishing float tubes are considered a vessel in Idaho and do need to have a Coast Guard Approved PFD and a sound producing device on board. They are exempt from registration. You need not carry a life jacket when on lakes smaller than 200 surface acres at natural high water.
Where can I find financial information on county boating programs?
For an overview of local county boating programs, please click the links below:
Where can I find more information on hunting and fishing in Idaho?
To locate information on hunting and fishing, click here to be redirected to the Idaho Fish and Game website.
Do I need a permit to float any of Idaho's rivers?
Non-commercial permits are required to run four rivers in Idaho: the Main Salmon, Middle Fork of the Salmon, Selway, and Snake River – Hells Canyon. This permitting system is run by the U.S. Forest Service and you can find information on this permitting program here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/recreation/4rivers/index.shtml
Permits are not required on other rivers but Federal daily parking/user fees may be required in some areas.
Where can I find more information about floating on the Boise River?
To obtain more information about floating the Boise River, click here to be redirected to the Ada County website.
Where can I find information on hiring a whitewater guide for rafting or jet boating?
For more information on this topic, click here to be redirected to the Idaho Outfitters & Guides Association.
Where can I obtain additional information on boating safety?
Boating Safety Links:
Boat Idaho Course
U. S. Coast Guard 13th District
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety
River Flows New
Click here to access a map showing the water levels at Lucky Peak
U.S. Power Squadrons
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
Water Safety Congress
Safe Boating Council
Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA)
Snow Conditions New
National Transportation Safety Board New
Idaho Power Recreational Facilities New
Boating Organizations:
American Canoe Association New
Idaho Whitewater Association (Rafting/Kayaking)
Western Whitewater Association (Jet Boating)
Southern Idaho Sailing Association (Sailing)
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation New
County Sheriff's Offices
Find a County Sheriff's Office in Idaho