It's the Law: On the Water With Your Vessel
In addition to the laws mentioned previously, here are other Montana regulations that apply when on the water.
Unlawful and Dangerous Operation
In Montana, these dangerous operating practices are illegal:
- Negligent Operation: Operating a vessel in a manner that may endanger the personal health or damage the property of any person is considered negligent operation. A vessel’s owner is liable for any injury or damage resulting from negligent operation.
- Careless Operation: Montana law prohibits operating a vessel in a careless manner, which includes:
- Weaving through congested traffic
- Passing unreasonably or unnecessarily close to another vessel
- Buzzing or wetting down others
- Motoring through areas restricted for swimming
- Beaching your vessel within a designated swimming area
- Crossing or jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 yards of the vessel or within 100 yards of a water-skier or anything being towed by the vessel, except when directly entering or leaving a marina or other docking/loading area
- A reckless approach to, departure from, or passage by a dock, ramp, diving board, or float
- Improper Speed: Operating at speeds that are excessive is illegal.
- Vessel operators must observe all “no wake” signs or buoys located on the water.
- Vessel operators are responsible for any damage caused by their wake.
- Vessel operators must not travel at an excessive speed that does not permit stopping the vessel within a desired distance.
- Improper Distance: Operating dangerously close to others is illegal. Specifically:
- Do not operate your vessel within 20 feet of the exterior boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys.
- Do not operate a vessel within 75 feet of a person engaged in fishing or hunting waterfowl, unless it is unavoidable. If unavoidable, travel at “no wake speed” or at the minimum speed necessary.
 Do not operate a motorboat within 200 feet of a tow-float or buoy displaying a red flag with a white slash indicating a “diver down,” except by sail or oar. In an emergency, or if there is insufficient water on either side to avoid passing through the 200-foot safety zone, do not exceed the “no wake speed.”- Do not operate your vessel within 50 feet of a swimmer in the water, except for vessels towing water-skiers.
- Harassing Wildlife: Powerboats and sailboats may not be used to kill, capture, take, pursue, concentrate, drive, or stir up any upland game birds, game, or fur-bearing animals. Motor-driven vehicles may not be used to drive, molest, flush, or harass any game animal or game bird while hunting.
“No Wake Zones” on Lakes in the Western Fishing District
The Western Fishing District includes all waters in Montana west of the Continental Divide.
- Lakes Greater than 35 Acres: All vessels operating on public lakes and reservoirs greater than 35 surface acres within the Western Fishing District are limited to “no wake speed” from the shoreline to 200 feet from the shoreline. The exceptions include:
- PWCs that must maintain a minimum operating speed to remain upright and maneuver in the water may travel at the minimum operating speed following the most direct route through the “no wake zone” to and from shore.
- Motorized watercraft towing a skier to or from a dock or the shore. Watercraft must travel the most direct route through the “no wake zone.”
- Vessels operating on the following lakes located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Lincoln County:
- Crystal Lake
- Horseshoe Lake
- Loon Lake
- Lower Thompson Lake
- McGregor Lake
- Middle Thompson Lake
- Upper lobe of Upper Thompson Lake
- Lakes 35 Acres or Less: All vessels operating on public lakes and reservoirs in the Western Fishing District that are 35 acres or less of surface water are limited to “no wake speed.”
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