Boating in Wisconsin

With over 15,000 inland lakes, 43,000 miles of rivers, and 659 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, water is a focal point of outdoor recreation in Wisconsin. It is estimated that over 1 million boats take to Wisconsin waters each year making courtesy, safety and education important issues for boaters.

Know Before You Go - Take a Boating Safety Course!

• Boat Registrations - Boat registration application and instructions.
• Boat Renewals Online - Renew your Boat Online
• Boating Safety Education - Upcoming boating safety education classes, who is eligible to take a class, course content.
• Safety Tips - Tips to make boating fun and safe!
• Age Requirements - Age requirements for boat operation in Wisconsin.
• PFD's (Life Jackets) - Legal requirements and help with choosing the right PFD for you.
• What You Need to Know About Life Vests for Children - Advice on choosing the right PFD for your child.
• Boating Ordinances and Waterway Markers - What are local boating ordinances and what those buoys really mean.
• Boating Regulations (PDF 959KB) - A synopsis of the most recent boating regulations.
• Reporting an Accident and Accident Statistics - When and where to report an accident and information on accident trends.