Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

This handbook includes a summary of Wisconsin boating laws. For complete information on what is legal when boating in Wisconsin, see the Wisconsin Statutes and Regulations and federal laws.

• To stay up-to-date on Wisconsin boating laws, contact the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
  • Call 1-888-936-7463
  • Visit our website at www.dnr.wi.gov.
• For federal boating laws, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website at www.uscgboating.org.

Find out about ...

• online boat license renewal
• fishing and hunting permits
• places to boat, fish, and hunt
• education and outdoor programs
• state parks, trails, and campgrounds

Everything you need to know about boating in Wisconsin is just a click away!

Boating Safety Instructors and Boating Ambassadors

Boating Safety Instructors and Boating Ambassadors are people like you who want to make a difference on the lakes in their community.

A Boating Safety Instructor:

• Is a certified volunteer instructor whose main responsibility is to teach boating safety education classes in their community.
• As the name “volunteer” would imply, the compensation for instructors is the satisfaction of knowing that what you are doing is important, that your contribution may save lives and positively influence the attitudes and actions of those who share or will share Wisconsin waterways with you.

Are you interested in getting involved with your community?
Contact your local Recreational Safety Warden to learn more about this program.