It's the Law: On the Water

Enforcement

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks officers and all other law enforcement officers enforce the boating laws of South Dakota. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.

It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a law enforcement officer. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his/her vessel to an immediate stop.