FWP Reminds Boaters Of Boating Rules For Western Region

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Much of Western Montana has special rules for boaters.   Boating rules apply to all Western Montana public lakes and reservoirs—any lake with legal public access—and to all lakes surrounded by Plum Creek Timber Company lands in FWP’s Regions 1 and 2. The rules include:

?          No-Wake Distance From Shore: A ll watercraft must maintain no-wake speeds within 200 feet of the shoreline of all lakes.

?          No-Wake on Lakes Less Than 35 acres: All watercraft must maintain no-wake speeds on all lakes 35 acres or less.

Exceptions are: a few older-style personal watercraft which must maintain a certain minimum operating speed to stay upright and motorized watercraft towing a water skier from or to a dock or the shore. Both must travel the most direct route through the no-wake zone.

Lakes greater than 35 acres located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes are excluded from the rule on no-wake speeds within 200 feet from shore. Wake restrictions on these lakes were set earlier by the FWP Commission in a public process specifically related to the Thompson Chain of Lakes.

For details about Montana’s boating laws, pick up a copy of the Montana Boating Law booklet at any FWP regional office.