Before taking a motorboat onto Minnesota waters, consider who will operate it, whether a permit or accompanying operator is needed, and how the equipment will leave the landing. The state's boater education and invasive-species rules address different parts of that trip. Both deserve a place in the planning, whether the outing uses an owned boat, a rental, or equipment being moved between lakes.
Who Needs a Watercraft Operator's Permit
Minnesota's permit law took effect July 1, 2025, and expands by birth date. The Minnesota DNR's boater education guidance gives this schedule for operators age 12 or older:
- July 1, 2025: operators born after June 30, 2004.
- July 1, 2026: operators born after June 30, 2000.
- July 1, 2027: operators born after June 30, 1996.
- July 1, 2028: operators born after June 30, 1987.
The 2026 step is in force; the 2027 and 2028 steps are still ahead. The requirement includes personal watercraft. A watercraft operator's permit is also commonly called a boater safety certificate. People who already hold a watercraft operator's permit are not affected by the change. Someone without a permit may operate with an accompanying operator aboard, subject to the restrictions for younger operators.
The DNR also lists exemptions for operators age 12 or older with qualifying U.S. Coast Guard or Canadian marine credentials, for operation under a dealer's license, and for emergencies. A nonresident temporarily using state waters for no more than 60 days may qualify by meeting applicable home-state or home-country requirements, or by holding a Canadian pleasure craft operator's card. Check the relevant category rather than assuming that every visitor has the same exemption.
Young Operators and Accompanying Operators
Children younger than 12 may not operate personal watercraft or motorboats with motors over 75 horsepower. For a motorboat that is not personal watercraft and has a motor under 75 horsepower, the DNR describes operation with an accompanying operator aboard. The small-motor exception below is also relevant.
An accompanying operator must be at least 21, aboard the watercraft, and within immediate reach of the motor controls. That person must hold a valid watercraft operator's permit or qualify as an exempt operator. Having an adult somewhere aboard does not by itself meet that definition; age, position, and permit or exemption all matter.
People born before July 1, 1987 generally do not need a permit, but the DNR identifies renting a motorboat or personal watercraft and serving as an accompanying operator as exceptions to that age-based rule.
Small Motors, Rentals and Resorts
The law does not affect operation of a motorboat with a factory-rated motor of 25 horsepower or less, provided it is not personal watercraft. For that category, people of any age need neither a watercraft operator's permit nor an accompanying operator under this law. The factory rating and watercraft type are therefore useful starting points when checking which requirement applies.
Rentals have their own distinctions. Minnesota residents age 18 or older renting from a rental business may qualify as exempt operators, complete the Minnesota watercraft rental course, or hold or obtain a watercraft operator's permit. The rental-course certification lasts 180 days; the operator's permit lasts a lifetime. Minnesota residents renting from resorts must meet the operator-permit age requirements.
For nonresidents age 18 or older renting from a rental business or resort and using Minnesota waterways for fewer than 60 days, the DNR says applicable home-state or home-country requirements must be met. People under 18 cannot rent watercraft. Minnesota residents under 18 may operate rental watercraft with a valid operator's permit. Rental businesses and resorts may impose requirements stricter than state law.
Nonresidents under 18 may operate rental watercraft when using Minnesota waterways for fewer than 60 days and meeting applicable requirements of their state or country of residence. The distinction between renting and operating matters when planning who will take the controls.
Clean, Drain, Dispose: Invasive Species Rules
The DNR's invasive-species law summary prohibits transporting aquatic plants except where statutes allow it, and prohibits transporting zebra mussels and other prohibited animal species. It also prohibits placing or attempting to place a boat, seaplane, or trailer into state waters with aquatic plants or prohibited invasive species attached. Remove attached material before moving the equipment.
These are separate transport and launching rules. The listed civil penalties include $100 for transporting aquatic plants and $200 for launching with plants attached. Transporting zebra mussels or other prohibited animals, or launching with prohibited invasive species attached, carries a listed $500 civil penalty; the summary also identifies misdemeanor possibilities.
Before leaving the water access or shoreline property, drain water-related equipment, including bait containers, live wells, and bilges, by removing drain plugs. Plugs, bailers, valves, and other drainage devices for ballast tanks, bilges, and live wells must remain removed or open during transport. The rule applies when leaving any Minnesota waters.
Moving larger equipment requires more time. A dock, boat lift, swim raft, or associated equipment removed from one water body must remain out of another water body for at least 21 days. Include that minimum interval when planning a move.
Infested Waters and Ice Season
The DNR designates waters containing listed invasive species as infested waters. Its list includes zebra mussels, starry stonewort, and Eurasian watermilfoil. That statewide list describes the designation system; it does not establish the status of any particular lake.
Ice season brings a specific exception to the water-transport rule. Portable bait containers used while fishing through the ice are exempt from that draining requirement, except on waters designated infested for viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. Keep that exception tied to the container and the water's designation when considering an ice-fishing trip. The general prohibition on transporting aquatic plants and prohibited animals remains a separate consideration.