Water Craft Rules

State of Michigan, Twps., & Lake Ogemaw

Please post this in your home or trailer.  Inform your family and guests to observe these rules for their safety and the safety of others.

1.  Jet skiing, high speed boating, tubing and water skiing are permitted between 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. D.S.T.  The hours before 11 a.m. and after 7:30 p.m. are no wake hours.  This applies to all types of watercraft, including pontoon boats.  (Twp. Ordinance.)

2.  Jet skis, personal water craft, high speed boating, water skiing and /or tubing is not permitted within 100 ft. of a shore, dock or swimming area.  (State Law)

3.  All watercraft are to travel in a counter clockwise direction, keeping the shore to the right.

4.  Be aware of and observe the NO-WAKE areas on the lake.  

5.  No high speed boating between the islands.  This is a NO-WAKE ZONE.  keep off the dam site and islands.  This is private property.

6.  Do not exceed state inland lakes speed limit of 55 mph.  (State Law)

7.  Please observe caution and common sense when on any watercraft.  Know your boating regulations.

8.  Persons born after December 31, 1978 shall not operate a personal watercraft unless they obtain a Boating Safety Certificate.  These operators of a personal watercraft must carry their Boating Safety Certificate and display it upon the request of an enforcement officer. 

9.  Each person 12 yrs. or older operating, riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a Type I, Type II or Type III PFD.  Additional state PFD laws require that each person less than 12 years of age riding on or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear a Type I or Type II PFD.  (State Law)

10.  Children under the age of 6 must wear a U.S.C.G. approved PFD.  When riding on the open deck are of any boat.  All vessels less than 16 ft. or longer must be equipped with one U.S.C.G. approved Type I, II or II wearable PFD.  For each person on board, plus one Type IV throw able PFD.  (State Law)

11.  All watercraft must have current registration.  Make sure you display this current registration sticker on the bow of your watercraft.  You also must have a fishing license to fish on Lake Ogemaw.  Please observe all the state fishing rules as to size and amount of fish caught.  ( State Law)

12.  Anyone using the boat launch, please park your vehicle and trailer in the Association Parking Lot.  DO NOT PARK on the property across from the boat launch as this is private property and you can be ticketed.  You must have your association membership card with you  to launch your boat.  

If everybody observes these rules we can have a safe and happy summer on the lake.  This is just a portion of the state boating regulations.  For more info go to www.michigan.gov/dnr

Revised:  02/07/2005