Boating rules and regulations

Know the rules

Hours for towing are from 11:00 am and 7:30 pm. (This includes, but is not limited to, surfing, wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, etc.) There is an unwritten agreement among lake residents not to create a wake outside of these hours to allow for pontoon cruisers and fishermen to enjoy the lake as well. The St. Joseph County sheriff’s office has jurisdiction on our lake and has the authority to fine violators if needed. If you feel there has been a violation, please contact the Sheriff’s office at 269-467-9045.

Please follow these rules to ensure safety and fun for all:

• Boat traffic should travel around the lake in a counterclockwise direction.

• Care should be taken when crossing the “narrows” between the small side and big side. Take notice of other boaters including those that are towing.

• The minimum age to operate a wave runner is fourteen years old with a boaters safety certificate.  Any boater that is born after June 1996 is required to have a boaters safety certificate. You can go online and take the course:  www.boatEd.com and print your certificate to keep in your boat. Or, call the St. Joseph Sheriff’s Department in the spring to find out when they will be hosting the Boaters Safety Class. The phone number is: 269-467-9045 and ask for T. J. Baker

• Personal watercrafts are to be operated at slow speed as to not make a wake when crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel. Please be courteous to your fellow boaters so everyone can safely enjoy the lake!