Personal Watercraft Laws

From MN DNR Boating Regulations in 2025:

• Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard- approved wearable life jacket that is compatible with that activity (check the label).

• Personal watercraft must travel at slow no-wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of non-motorized boats, shore (unless launching or landing skiers directly to or from open water), docks, swim rafts, swimmers, or any moored or anchored boat.

• Operation of personal watercraft is allowed only from 9:30 a.m. to 1 hour before sunset.

• If you tow a person on water skis, or any other device, there must be an additional person on board the personal watercraft to act as an observer. (The observer does not have to be facing backward.)

• Factory-installed or factory-specified wide-field rearview mirrors are allowed instead of an observer when pulling a skier or other device (tube, kneeboard, etc.).

• After-market mirrors, stick-on mirrors, motorcycle mirrors, etc., do not qualify for the observer exemption.

• The skier/knee-boarder etc. must also be wearing a life jacket or there must be one on board the personal watercraft for the skier.

• If the machine is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch, it must be attached to the person, life jacket or clothing of the operator when underway.

• You may not operate a personal watercraft if any part of the spring-loaded throttle system has been removed or tampered with so it interferes with the return-to-idle system.

• You may not chase or harass wildlife.

• You may not travel through emergent or floating vegetation at greater than slow no-wake speed.

• You may not operate a personal watercraft in a manner that unreasonably or unnecessarily endangers life, limb or property.

• You may not weave through congested watercraft traffic, or jump the wake of another watercraft within 150 feet of the other watercraft. This includes other personal watercraft.

• A personal watercraft rules decal issued by the DNR needs to be on the craft in full view of the operator.

• You may not operate a personal watercraft while facing backward.

• It is unlawful for the owner of the personal watercraft to permit its operation in violation of the age restrictions (see below).

• Some lakes have additional restrictions, see mndnr.gov/boatingsafety and click on local water restrictions

• A person on a waterjet propelled accessory to a personal watercraft is operating a personal watercraft and must follow all regulations.

OPERATOR AGE RESTRICTIONS:

LESS THAN 12 YEARS

• Cannot operate – even with an adult on board.

12-21 YEARS

• Must possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit for personal watercraft. Adults born on or after July 1, 2004, must hold a permit to operate a PWC, effective July 1, 2025 and expanding over the following three years to include older age groups.