15. BOAT MOTOR RESTRICTIONS
Please check for signs at access points or call the
Game and Fish Department. “Idle speed only” is defined
as operating a boat at the slowest possible speed necessary
to maintain steerage (i.e., trolling – with no wake).
Electric Motors Only: (Note: Boats may be propelled
If I'm missing something here, please let me know. To me, it simply is explaining what idle speed means. So who else takes this way? So when they say "operate a motorboat within 100 feet of a person fishing from a shortline..that means they can use idle speed within 100ft? So at 101 ft they can go full speed? Honestly not trying to be a dick, just looking for clarification, as the text isn't clear.
- - - Updated - - -
16. BOATING REGULATIONS
Where signed at Devils Lake, boats used for fishing
may not obstruct normal boat traffic underneath bridges.
See pages 14-15 for federal refuge boating closures.
• An owner of any watercraft propelled by a motor must
register that vessel with the North Dakota Game and
Fish Department, or the state in which he/she resides.
34
• If your address changes, boat ownership changes,
boat is destroyed, abandoned, stolen or recovered –
you are required to notify the Department within 15 days.
• The certificate of number is not transferable. Anyone
purchasing a boat must register the boat in his/her
name.
• The Department can issue a new certificate of number
to replace one that is lost. The cost is the same
as for a new one.
• No person under 12 years of age may operate a
motorboat (includes personal watercraft, jetskis, etc.)
propelled by a motor of more than 10 horsepower
unless the operator is accompanied by a person 18
years of age or older.
• No person 12 through 15 years of age may operate
a motorboat or personal watercraft propelled
by a motor of more than 10 horsepower unless the
operator is accompanied by a person 18 years of
age or older, or the operator has taken and passed a
Department approved boating course.
• All boats must have a Coast Guard approved life
preserver for each occupant, and those boats over
16 feet in length must also have an approved throwable
life preserver. Boat occupants age 10 and under
must wear their life preserver.
• No person may operate any vessel in a reckless or
negligent manner such as:
- Endangering the life or property of another.
- Use of excessive speed during periods of reduced
visibility or while in close proximity to other vessels.
- Operating in overloaded condition.
- Operating within swimming areas designated by
markers or by the presence of swimmers.
- Operating near dams and other hazardous waters.
- Operating in such a manner as to cause a
dangerous or damaging wake.
35
- Operation in such a manner as to molest or annoy
a person lawfully engaged in fishing.
• No person may operate a motorboat (includes personal
watercraft) within 100 feet of a person fishing
from a shoreline, a swimmer, swimming/diving raft,
or an occupied, anchored or nonmotorized vessel,
or within 250 feet of a reduced speed or slow or nowake
sign at greater than slow or no-wake speed.