Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Enforcement

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officers and all other peace officers enforce the boating laws of Wisconsin. U.S. Coast Guard officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.
• It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources officers and all other officers with law enforcement authority have the right to stop and board vessels in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.

Stay up to date on new boating laws!

Be sure to stay abreast of new boating laws and requirements.

• For state boating law information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, call 608-266-2621 or visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
• For federal boating laws, call the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Infoline at 1-800-368-5647

Information in this manual does not replace what is specifically legal for boating in Wisconsin, which is found in Wisconsin Statutes and Regulations and federal law.