Before the boat even touches the water, owners must remember that an Indiana certificate of registration is required to operate a vessel legally on public waters unless the vessel is non-motorized (vessels using an electric trolling motor require registration) and display a registration decal. You must keep the certificate on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever the vessel is operated. For more information on boat registration you can visit
DNR's boating handbook.
All motorboat or PWC operators must have a valid driver’s license to operate on all Indiana public waters. Motorboat operators who are 15 years of age may operate a motorboat or PWC until they become a licensed driver only if they complete a boater education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board an ID card issued by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
The boating laws of Indiana are enforced by the conservation officers of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard officers, and any other authorized peace officer or law enforcement officer. Officers have the authority to stop and board boats in order to check for compliance with state and federal laws.
There is one public boat launch on Lake Wawasee and another on Syracuse Lake. There are also three marina's on Lake Wawasee - we recommend visiting
Main Channel Marina for gasoline and supplies. For exact locations please see our
interactive map.
Remember to be prepared for sudden weather changes. You can check current weather conditions and a live radar map by visiting our
weather page. Make sure there is a life-preserver onboard for every passenger. Powerboats must have navigation lights by its length, a horn or whistle that is audible from a distance of at least a half mile, an anchor of sufficient strength and a line of sufficient length. Boating under the influence of alcohol and consuming it while driving is dangerous, illegal, and strictly enforced.
Because the lake is not exclusively used for boating, vessels must respect less powerful users of the water. Vessels should avoid red scuba divers' flags, swimmers, paddle boats, and other small objects in the water by a distance of at least 100 feet. Motorized boats should also remain outside of the orange buoys placed along shore. Canoe paddlers should be warned that canoes are better for shoreline boating than use in the main lake. The speed limit is 5mph when within 100 feet of shore, dock, or stationary vessels such as boats, rafts, floats, etc.
Know the right-of-way rules: in crossing situations, the boat on the starboard (right) side has the right of way. A boat being overtaken by another also has the right of way. Powerboats must yield to sailboats that are under sail alone and windsurfers, except when the powerboat is slower. Remember that weather is unpredictable and sudden, and wind gusts can change speed and direction. Do not cut in front of the bow of any wind-powered vessel. If two powerboats are meeting head-on or nearly so, they should pass port-to-port (left side facing left side).
Boats with a water ski, wakeboard, or tube attached are required to have an observing passenger age 10 or older. Skiers and related personnel must wear life-saving devices. This activity is prohibited from dusk 'til dawn.
Though it looks like a lot of rules, an experienced and courteous boater will know that most of these are common sense safety laws. Each is easily observable and hardly a sinker on the amount of fun there is to be had while boating on Lake Wawasee.