Ollie’s Service Inc

Minnesota sets the rental age in statute: under section 86B.306, a person who rents or leases a motorboat or personal watercraft must be 18 or older. Someone younger may still operate it if they are named as an authorized operator on the rental agreement and hold a valid watercraft operator's permit.

Operating rules are separate. A person of any age may run a motorboat rated 25 horsepower or less that is not a personal watercraft, without a permit. No one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 75 horsepower. An accompanying operator must be 21 or older, aboard, within immediate reach of the controls, and permitted or exempt.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (revisor.mn.gov)

Yes. As of July 1, 2026, Minnesota requires operators age 12 or older who were born after June 30, 2000, to possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit when driving a motorboat or personal watercraft, unless supervised or exempt. Children under 12 cannot operate a personal watercraft or a motorboat over 75 horsepower; they may operate a non-PWC under 75 horsepower with a qualified accompanying operator. Boats with 25 horsepower or less are exempt.

Renters must be at least 18. Adult rental customers can complete a rental course for a 180-day certificate, but resort rentals follow regular permit rules. Qualifying short-term nonresidents and certain licensed maritime operators are exempt. The Minnesota DNR administers the program.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (dnr.state.mn.us)

From Alexandria, you can spend the day boating Lake Le Homme Dieu, Lake Carlos and Lake Geneva, with Le Homme Dieu providing navigable connections to the other two. Le Homme Dieu is popular for boating and has public access docks and two sandy swimming beaches. Carlos offers the chain’s biggest, deepest water; put in at Lake Carlos State Park’s concrete ramp, which is suitable for large boats and pontoons. Geneva is a peaceful option, with two boat landings and an accessible fishing pier.

Source: Minnesota DNR (dnr.state.mn.us)

Practical Alexandria boating day trips include Lake Carlos State Park, the Lake Agnes waterfront and the smaller west-side paddling chain. At Lake Carlos State Park, boaters can moor along the sandy lower-campground shore, then use the swimming beach and picnic area. On Lake Agnes, the waterfront beside Big Ole City Park and Alexandria City Park offers a boat dock, swimming beach, picnic shelters and fishing pier. Canoe, kayak and paddleboard users can travel through Lake Cowdry, Lake Jessie, North Union Lake, Lake Taylor, Lake Stony and Lake Brophy without leaving the water.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (dnr.state.mn.us)