Minnesota Boating Regulations

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how far you have to be(under power moving) from another boat while they are fishing? The reason I ask this is last night fishing in the backwaters on the Mississippi there was a guy in a Ranger Bass boat that went by at 20′ minimum in 2′ of water doing 45-50mph. He raced through Indian Slough like he was one of those racers from Australia racing in those swamps. Is all I could see was he had MN registration. I only saw the color of the sticker to tell that. I just wondered if they had different regs than Wisconsin. I know it was greatly appreciated when he flew by twice….for a couple of boaters out there. Who says that JetSki’s are a problem????

I had a similar situation happen to me one day while fishing on Lake Zumbro. I was fishing a large weedbed in about 2 feet of water and there was a small inlet nearby. All of the sudden a guy and a gal on a jetski came flying by me about 20-25 feet away doing 20-30 mph heading into the inlet. Needless to say I was fuming mad and as I heard the jerks annoy-toy bog down I stood up as high and as noticeably as I could and displayed the number “11” with both hands put together . As he came out he didn’t take one look at me and his lady-friend gave me a shrug…. So I’d be curious also about the law too although I’m sure I could find it online. I’d just rather see everyone elses comments on the subject. Someone was looking out for me though because I boated an 11lb 2oz northern about 10 minutes later.

The thing is I don’t have the problem with the jet ski. It is the bass boats going soooo fast. If I would have been going across the channel with my trolling motor like I was just minutes before he would have killed me!

To me both instances are an issue of lack of respect and neither should occur.

AGREEED, I just wish the guy would have it a stump when he went flying by me…. I would have like to see what a 225 merc and Ranger look like for a fishing crib.

I don’t think it’s a lack of respect on the Ranger owner at all. Until you know what it’s like to drive a boat like that in that kind of water, it’d be nice if you guys wouldn’t make assumptions like that. Keep in mind a boat going wide open throws much less than half the wake as it does going 1/4 speed. I drive a 20+ft Champion & I can tell you, you don’t want me going by you at 1/4 speed unless you like waves.

C’mon, 20′ away isn’t a lack of respect? or maybe I misunderstood his post. That is the length of your boat away from you… Wake is a fact of life when you’re on the water and if you can’t deal with it you shouldn’t be there.

Chris Low

I’ve looked for this before, I’ve never found a minumun distance

I don’t know about Minnesota regulations but here in Iowa I believe you cannot pass an anchored boat within a certain distance at more than no wake speed. I believe the distance is 50 feet? This also applies to boats not under power (drifting). I was on Clear Lake a few years ago and was being checked by the DNR when a boat came within 30 to 50 feet from our boats. The DNR guy took off (with my fishing license) immediately and stopped the other boat. He did come back with my license but asked for more info in case they needed to subpoena me as a witness for the state.
I know that many boats make much less wake at full throttle than they do when they slow down but it isn’t the wake that is the problem. Many, many things can go wrong when you combine high speeds, shallow water and tight areas. I would much rather put up with wake than be trolling in some slough with my electric and have some speed demon not be able to react in time. All it would take is for me to make a turn the other boat driver isn’t expecting and for him to take his eyes off of me for a second. Even though boats make less wake at full throttle I always slow to no-wake speed (or close) when going past anchored/drifting boats in a narrow slough. Most of these people out there fishing a snag get pissed off when a boat goes flying by. They don’t seem to mind how much wake you make as long as you slow down.

Eyehunter

Drive safe and watch for deer

What happened to the good old days, when the passing boat would slow way down as he passed an anchored boat, and everybody would wave at each other? That’s the way I was taught. And 20 feet at any sort of speed leaves no room for error. Sounds like a scary encounter.

Rootski

The Mn DNR website provides its boating guide at this url: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf

I could not find any reference for minimum passing distance for a boat. This is a quote from the boating guide on two boats that are meeting:
Meeting
When two watercraft approach each other
“head-on,” each must alter course to the right to
avoid collision. If the two watercraft are far enough
to the left of each other, no change in direction is
needed for safe passage. Both watercraft will
maintain their course and speed so as to pass clear
of each other, and keep to the right in narrow
channels.

The Personal Watercraft requirement in the boating guide states this: Personal watercraft must travel at slow – no
wake speed (5mph 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 .

I don’t know if this answered your basic question or not.

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I don’t think it’s a lack of respect on the Ranger owner at all. Until you know what it’s like to drive a boat like that in that kind of water, it’d be nice if you guys wouldn’t make assumptions like that. Keep in mind a boat going wide open throws much less than half the wake as it does going 1/4 speed. I drive a 20+ft Champion & I can tell you, you don’t want me going by you at 1/4 speed unless you like waves.

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Blue the wake doesn’t bother me at all!!! I didn’t like the fact he was “your boat” distance away from me in the 2′ of water. There was no room for error. I found out who it is and the person is getting an a$$ chewing on the way home. I understand that is the way to get back in those holes. I’m the same way in the shallow river I fish in. You have to stay on plane and stay up or you go no where. Oh and I forgot we were in Wisconsin waters. Here is the link one of the DNR Wardens gave me. If you look under speed restrictions it has the rules. I can give you the fine and statute number, but I think you get the idea anyway. I just wanted to let people know that this happens way too often and accidents happen. I don’t want to be that accident. Thanks for the replies guys!!!!

Yes, thanks for the info Mr. DeMars. Next time I won’t feel any guilt for giving such a rude gesture.

Krisko, I totally agree with you on the respect/safety thing.I believe the wiscconsin law says “It is unlawfull to make a “hazardous” wake” And to me if that means you can’t fish the places that are 2′ deep, well the so be it! Not to start an argument Blue, but if that means you need to slow down to a “No Wake” speed, rather than 1/4 throttle, then it is your obligation as a boat owner to do so. I think we all have been on Pool 4 in the spring. In my opinion this is where it all stems from. When you get a couple dozen boats come flying,50 feet or less from you, each day, your bound to have the attitude….”well everyone else does it to me I’m going to do it too!!” I think some guys think everyone is going to be impressed because they have a 225 and can do 75, well I for one am not, esspecialy if my son is with me! NO fish is worth the hazzard someone creates by doing this. The fish will still be there when you get there! And in my opinion yes it is a lack of respect!

I found what you were looking for in the MN Boating Guide on pages 32 to 33:

It’s against the law:
 To operate a watercraft in a careless or
reckless manner.
 To operate a watercraft so that its wash or wake endangers, harasses, or interferes with any person or property.

I have a story to share with you. It just happened this past Sunday.
First let me state that I am a Tournament fisherman.
I was on the water at 530am waiting for a customer whom I was going to pick up at the city dock under the Bridge in Wabasha.
I made a couple jigging runs and relined a couple reels.
This guy shows up on shore to fish and we chit chat.
I catch a walleye and a crappie. And I think he got a catfish.
Ok I think it is a few minutes before 7:00 and close to twenty bass boats come ripping down the river. I am use to this just another tournament day.
However the reaction from the guy fishing on shore really surprised me. Him being a fellow fisherman an all.
This man was very pissed off at the waves slamming the shore line. He turned the air blue about Bass Tournaments.
And the “crazy rocket ships that tear around.” quote.
I just wanted to share this to make everyone aware.
I am not taking sides. I just wanted to share the story.
I hope that everyone understands that you are responsible for your actions.
Tournament fisherman are still in the minority even though the sport is growing.
I can only change myself..
I can tell you that I do not like it when some one comes by my boat too close and to fast.
And it happens way to often.
I have had Tuna boats throwing 4 foot wakes come with in 20 feet of me and they get the one finger salute and a few choice screams.
I have also had the 14 footer with the 35 hp race within 20 feet I have no idea what these people are thinking.
It is wrong and very bad boating etiquette.
And hey I am guility I have passed people way to close.
I have to keep reminding myself to be a leader and do the right thing.
Slow down, stop sooner, wave say hello. Pass it on..Teach by setting an example those are a few of my goals for the rest of this season and the next.
Hope to see you on the water.
Play safe watch out for the little guy.

i do not think there is a close-by regulation. it is more of a courtesy than anything else to slow it down and keep it safe. the golden rule is not a bad one to follow when on the river. the river will be heating up in less than a month. and the number of anglers has increased every year. courtesy and common sense go hand in hand, some people just don’t have any, and we have to deal with them anyway. that is just life on the water. Jack.. be safe !!!!

ReefRunner is RIGHT ON, we can control our own actions and reactions. let’s JUST DO IT.

I am a fisherman first and a pleasure boater second….Yes, I own a beautiful 20′ Glastron that is on the water when ever my wife and I can have the same days off…..It’s a great boat to get out and cruise the waterways in…The reason I bring this up is because being a fisherman, I know several back sloughs that are deep enough to bring my boat into…these sloughs also have several weekend fisherman in them…I use ” Slow No Wake” speeds thru these sloughs and always wave to the fishermen and women…lots of them i know and some I don’t…I always get a good smile and a wave from them because i have showed respect for them and their peaceful location to fish….

Vandy is right….“Slow down, stop sooner, wave say hello. Pass it on..Teach by setting an example”

I will echo the slow down and wave sentiment. I fished tournaments for 15 years before the fast boats got on the scene. I was a member of the anchor crowd before that and appreciated the courtesy of people that slowed for me. I spend 100 days a year on the water and still idle past other people fishing and enjoy the time on the water. What’s the rush? The point is being out there and enjoying yourself. Slow down, smile, wave, and enjoy what nature has to offer.

I agree with Blue Fleck that people who are not familiar with driving a bass boat don’t understand that going past them at speed in many cases, is being courteous and not rude. In fact I will even speed up when passing another boat to minimize my wake if that is the best option available. (For instance, passing a pan fisherman “hiding” in the trees. He may cuss that I went by fast, but that’s a lot safer than throwing a 3 foot wake at him by trying to stop at the last instant.)

The area was described as being “2 feet deep.” If this water was in fact LESS than 2 feet deep, sitting a bass boat down and dragging the prop and lower unit for no reason other than to give someone their “proper respect” is nonsense. As to the “going across the channel with my trolling motor like I was just minutes before he would have killed me” I equate crossing a narrow channel with looking both ways before crossing the street, I look and listen before crossing. In a narrow channel I will also move aside to give boats passing me more room if I’m around a corner, etc. where they may have trouble seeing me from a distance.

Given the option, yes, I nearly always will idle past other boats in close quarters, but there times that is not an alternative.

Dan

P.S. Duck hunters have scared me way more often than people in bass boats. Bass boaters generally watch the water intently and have extensive boating experience, as opposed to some hunters that are twice a year boaters that are looking up in the sky for ducks. Yikes!!!!

I have another slant on this. I firmly believe we should ALWAYS slow down and show respect for other fisherpersons, whether they are in a boat or on the bank. Unless you are passing >150 foot away from them. In pool ten recently I dropped off of plane, planning to idle past 2 anchored boats and found myself sitting in the sand in about 1 1/2 foot of water. I got the Ranger off the spot but it cost me $233.00 to get the sand out of the motor. (I am handicapped so getting out to push is not an option!) Even so I am responsible for knowing what the depth is and for operating my rig in a manner so as not to endanger others. I believe any other operating method is detrimental to the perception people have of our sport.

It doesn’t matter what type of rig you run.

Running 40mph withing 20 feet of another is dangerous and deserves to crack open up a can of “whoop @$$”.

If you can’t run your rig in water like that unless you are doing 40mph……don’t go there………

There is no excuse for being dangerous on the water.

Honestly, if I’m musky fishing and I would of seen then coming. The guy would of caught an 8″ reefhawg in the side of the head………..a 20 foot cast……..I won’t miss…….

Doing what they guy did is as stupid as the dolt running 200 mph on the motorcycle……

Couldnt agree with you more gary, it is uncalled for no matter how they try to justify it. Unlike you, I would be whipping a 10/0 hook and a 4 oz no roll sinker missing my target and getting stuck in a tree

Cattin_Addict

gloves? we don’t need no stinkin gloves!!!

Gary,

I have a friend who claims to keep a rod ready with a heavy old muskie treble hook layden lure ready in his boat for just such an occasion. Although I have never seen this weapon I would not put it past him to actually have it or use it.

Down in this neck of the woods running fast through shallow water doesn’t always work like it does up north where you have a mostly sand bottom. We have far less sand bottom and more mud, rock and flooded stump fields. On top of that the water clarity is never what it is in the upper pools of the river. You just don’t see that big rock until after you have hit it. Plus the river changes constantly and what may have been safe last year may not be this year. You just have to use common courtesy. I totally agree with slowing down to a no wake speed in tight areas. A friendly wave from boat to boat is much better than a one-finger wave any day.

I’m not sure if some aren’t understanding what I mean. It isn’t a total respect thing I’m talking about. Where I was at there are a couple of ways out. I heard the boat coming and before you can blink it is there. It would be nearly impossible to get out of the way or anticpate it. If I would be broke down or an old man in a little fishing boat(which there was just down from me) there was no time to react. I have gotten into the tournament fishing. I fish and ride in one of these boats on weekends. I know when I first started fishing with one of the guys I told him some of the things he/we were doing was totally wrong and stupid. He agreed….I hate to say it but you don’t see the walleye guys racing around even on the channel…..Sorry for complaining….this is just a sore subject….more about safety not courtsey.

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I hate to say it but you don’t see the walleye guys racing around even on the channel

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You’re kidding, right?

Come on down to 16 during the RCL and see how much room you get if you’re parked between a qualifier and his fish. If they’re running to 14 like it sounds, then that’ll be three pools where you either deal with flybys or stay off the water.

A friend was out fishing Mille Lacs a couple years ago during the RCL. He had at least two boats cut what he thought was plenty close to him (worrying distance) at top speed – granted in a walleye rig this is only 65 or 70mph. Keep in mind that this was on the flats on Mille Lacs. Where in the world could you possibly have more room to go around someone who’s backtrolling at idle speed?

If it’s unsafe, then I understand why people get peeved about it. Complaining here is justified, and we can all hope that the unsafe boaters catch a whiff of this thread and cut the next guy a little more slack. If it’s just an annoyance though, I’d say prepare to stay T’ed off, ’cause I don’t see it stopping.

Hats off to those who are courteous though… if all we had were the others I’d consider giving it up. (naaah)

I agree. Idiocy is not shown by the type of boat, it is by the type of man.

OK,
I understand your frustrations but the few “close calls” are basically people whining about people getting to close to them. The river has areas that you have to run through and if there is a guy in a Jon Boat parked at the entrance and you are heading that way then all I can say is I am sorry. Wake or no wake. If this guy was out on the lake would you blow past him.. Well most likely 99% of the guys who fish would do exactly that. Give them plenty of room. I know I was running out of spring lake in low water conditions a couple years back and at the “Bat Turn” was a guy fishing in a Jon Boat. As I screamed by with my lower unit leaving a trail in the mud I shrugged and said I was sorry but either way I was not going to set down and call in a huey to get me off the giant mud flat. Things happen but the skill of the driver dictates the safety of all involved. I would feel completely safe running past your boat on pad 60+ at 5 feet and not even think twice. I would never do this unless I had no choice and I would make sure you were safe if you were in a 10 foot flat with 9” sidewalls. If you are worried about safety I would surely think you would not opts for a boat that dangerous in the first place.

I guess the thing that get me is that every day to and from where ever I am going I see people cutting people off, riding bumpers, going the wrong way down one way streets and the other. Accidents, hard words, the one finger solute and the other. The river is going to get busier and busier and eventually you will have boats just about everywhere you try to go. These same people with the road rage are buying boats.

Honestly there is not much we can do here so I suggest we all get used to it. Lead by example and relax “you are fishing”. Why would we let ourselves get worked up about something we can do virtually nothing about.
Jc

I agree Jeremy. Sometimes there is no option on setting down. Like you said, small entrances to larger areas seem to be the most problematic. If I was fishing a tight area like that I would expect people to run by. On the flip side if theres plenty of area to run we need to use it and give some way.