WI · State boating guide
Wisconsin
boating laws
Last verified
At a glance
- Boater card
- Required for specified operators
- motorboat and personal watercraft operators born on or after January 1, 1989
- Operating age
- Under 10 may not operate a motorboat. Ages 10 and 11 may only with a parent, guardian or designated adult 18 or older who holds a certificate or was born before 1989. Ages 12 to 15 need a certificate or that same adult supervision. No one under 12 may operate a PWC; ages 12 to 15 need a certificate (adult supervision is not a substitute), and no one under 16 may rent a PWC.
- Life-jacket age rule
- Wisconsin has no separate state child-wear rule, but federal law requires children under 13 to wear one while underway on federally controlled waters.
- BUI / BAC limit
- 0.08 BAC
- Registration fee
- $11.00–$100.00
- Published categories; see fees and exceptions below.
- Registration term
- 3 years
The short answer
Do I need a boating license in Wisconsin?
Boating Safety Certificate is required for motorboat and personal watercraft operators born on or after January 1, 1989.
Confirm with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ↗Wisconsin requires a boating safety certificate for motorboat operators born on or after January 1, 1989, unless a qualified adult 18 or older is aboard. Children under 10 may not operate a motorboat, and no one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft. All motorized boats, including those with electric trolling motors, and sailboats over 12 feet must be registered for three years at a time. The impaired-boating limit is 0.08 BAC.
Before you operate
Boater education & operating age
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education required | Yes — see who needs a card below |
| Who needs a card | motorboat and personal watercraft operators born on or after January 1, 1989 |
| Card or certificate | Boating Safety Certificate |
| Minimum operating age | Under 10 may not operate a motorboat. Ages 10 and 11 may only with a parent, guardian or designated adult 18 or older who holds a certificate or was born before 1989. Ages 12 to 15 need a certificate or that same adult supervision. No one under 12 may operate a PWC; ages 12 to 15 need a certificate (adult supervision is not a substitute), and no one under 16 may rent a PWC. |
| Out-of-state cards | An out-of-state equivalent boating safety certification is accepted for operators born on or after January 1, 1989. |
Your boat’s paperwork
Boat registration & fees
All motorized boats, including those with electric trolling motors, sailboats over 12 feet, and boats registered in another state that stay in Wisconsin more than 60 consecutive days. Non-motorized boats other than sailboats are exempt. Registration runs three years (April 1 to March 31 of the third year), and boats 16 feet or longer must also be titled.
- Motorized boats less than 16 feet$22.00
- Motorized boats 16 to less than 26 feet$32.00
- Motorized boats 26 to less than 40 feet$60.00
- Motorized boats 40 feet and over$100.00
- Non-motorized sailboats$17.00
- Voluntary registration (non-motorized boats)$11.00
Registration fee data and sources
| Boat / fee category | Fee | Term | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorized boats less than 16 feet | $22.00 | 3 years | Official source: Motorized boats less than 16 feet ↗ |
| Motorized boats 16 to less than 26 feet | $32.00 | 3 years | Official source: Motorized boats 16 to less than 26 feet ↗ |
| Motorized boats 26 to less than 40 feet | $60.00 | 3 years | Official source: Motorized boats 26 to less than 40 feet ↗ |
| Motorized boats 40 feet and over | $100.00 | 3 years | Official source: Motorized boats 40 feet and over ↗ |
| Non-motorized sailboats | $17.00 | 3 years | Official source: Non-motorized sailboats ↗ |
| Voluntary registration (non-motorized boats) | $11.00 | 3 years | Official source: Voluntary registration (non-motorized boats) ↗ |
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) rules
- Everyone on board a PWC must wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III or V life jacket.
- If the PWC has a lanyard engine cut-off switch, attach the lanyard to your person, clothing or life jacket.
- No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise.
- Stay at slow-no-wake speed within 100 feet of any other boat, within 100 feet of a dock, pier, raft or restricted area on a lake, and within 200 feet of shore on any lake.
- No one under 12 may operate a PWC, and operators 12 to 15 must hold a boating safety certificate.
- Jumping a wake within 100 feet of another boat, weaving through traffic or chasing wildlife is prohibited.
Towing & watersports
- When towing a person, carry a competent observer besides the operator or use a wide-angle rearview mirror.
- No towing between sunset and sunrise.
- A PWC may tow only if the manufacturer rates it for at least three people, and it needs an observer or a wide-angle mirror.
- Boats towing people must stay at least 100 feet from occupied anchored boats, PWCs, marked swimming areas and public boat landings.
Life jacket rules
- All vessels, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, must carry a USCG-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
- Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry one immediately accessible USCG-approved throwable device.
- Everyone on a PWC must wear a USCG-approved life jacket.
- Wisconsin has no separate state child-wear rule, but federal law requires children under 13 to wear one while underway on federally controlled waters.
Boating under the influence
Published limit: 0.08 BAC. Read the linked official guidance for the full rule and any age-specific provisions.
At a glance
- Boater education applies to anyone born on or after January 1, 1989.
- Registration lasts three years and starts at $22 for motorboats under 16 feet.
- No PWC riding between sunset and sunrise.
- Kids under 12 may not operate a PWC.
Plan your day
Before you launch
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Sources and last checked
Sources
Official guidance is the final reference. Rules and fees may change after this guide’s verification date.
- Safety Education: Boating ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wisconsin Boating Regulations (PDF) ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Boat registration and titling ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Registration fees ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- General information on boat registration and titling ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- What you should know before you operate your boat ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Life Jackets ↗Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
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