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We hope you are having a wonderful summer in Vacationland! Here are a few reminders to keep everyone on the lake, including wildlife and our shorelines, safe:
- "Headway Speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft. You must operate a watercraft at "headway speed" while:
- Within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands.
- Within a marina or an approved anchorage in coastal or inland waters.
This law was designed to keep everyone on the water safe, reduce erosion, and to help protect wildlife such as loons that nest on the shoreline.
- When towing someone on water skis, a surfboard, tube, or another device, ALWAYS have a responsible person at least 12 years of age in a position to observe the towed person(s) continuously, in addition to the boat operator. The person(s) being towed must wear a life jacket.
- You are responsible for your wake. Always pay attention.
- Be respectful of others. Give other boaters, swimmers, and anglers plenty of space and always drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for conditions, congestion of other boats, and wildlife.
- ALWAYS wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again.
- Stay alert! Never drink and boat.
Before you go, view all of Maine's boating laws at mefishwildlife.com/laws
Take a boating safety course, online or in-person
The key to an enjoyable boating season? is to be safe and prepared, for yourself, your passengers, and everyone on the water. Take an online or in-person boater safety course to improve your knowledge of boating safety, laws, and rules.
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Register for an online class or find an in-person class near you.
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Consider your impact! Help protect our waters for the next generation.?
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Maine waters, as well as the fish, wildlife, and recreation they support, are threatened each year by introductions of fish, plants, diseases, and other aquatic hitchhikers that compete with and displace native natural communities,?
Once an invasive aquatic species has established in a body of water, it is extremely difficult for it to be eradicated. These efforts are costly, often risky, and not always successful.
Therefore,?prevention is key. It?s our duty as those who enjoy using Maine?s waters to protect them against invasive species.
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Help keep it Maine and stop the transport and spread of invasive species!
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CLEAN?your gear before entering and leaving the water access site. Remove all plants, fish, animals, mud and debris from boots, gear, boat, trailer, and vehicle and throw it in the trash.?
DRAIN bilge, ballast, wells and buckets away from the water before you leave the area.?
DRY?equipment completely before launching watercraft into another body of water.?
DISPOSE?of unused or unwanted bait?baitfish on land or in the trash. Never release any live baitfish into a water body.
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Helpful links
Boat registration
Lake and river protection sticker
Aquatic Invasive Species awareness?
Boating safety tips
Boating safety courses
Maine boating laws (PDF)
Stand up paddleboard guidelines (PDF)
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