Open Water Marine

North Dakota’s minimum age for solo operation of a motorboat propelled by more than 10 horsepower, including a personal watercraft, is 12 after passing a boating course approved by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Anyone under 12 must be accompanied by someone age 18 or older. Operators ages 12 through 15 must either have that adult accompaniment or pass the approved course; from age 16, this youth course requirement no longer applies. These rules appear in North Dakota Century Code section 20.1-13-07. The rental operator sets its own minimum age, so confirm it when booking.

Source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department (gf.nd.gov)

North Dakota does not require a general boating license, but operators ages 12 through 15 must complete an approved boating course to operate alone a motorboat over 10 horsepower. Otherwise, they must be accompanied by someone age 18 or older. Children under 12 may operate such a boat only with that adult accompaniment. These rules include personal watercraft.

There is no separate exemption for rental customers, so the same age rules apply to rented boats. Students completing an approved online course can print a temporary certification card while awaiting the permanent card. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department administers the program.

Source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department (gf.nd.gov)

North Dakota’s best boating variety is found along the Missouri River system, at Devils Lake and in the Turtle Mountains. From northwest of Williston through the Bismarck area, the Missouri offers river boating, sandbars and the immense Lake Sakakawea reservoir before becoming Lake Oahe near the South Dakota border.

In northeastern North Dakota, Devils Lake is the state’s largest natural body of water and accommodates motorboats and experienced paddlers. Farther north, Lake Metigoshe offers a smaller motorized lake surrounded by the aspen forests of the Turtle Mountains, making it a more sheltered alternative to the state’s largest waters.

Source: North Dakota Tourism (ndtourism.com)

North Dakota’s most popular boating destinations include Lake Sakakawea around Garrison and Pick City, prized for its immense open water, marinas and fishing access; Devils Lake, a major destination for anglers and motorboats with several access points; the Missouri River between Bismarck and Mandan, known for free flowing water and sandbars; Lake Ashtabula near Valley City, with boating, swimming and seven launching ramps; and Lake Metigoshe in the Turtle Mountains, popular for motorized recreation and scenic paddling among aspen forest. Together, they offer big reservoir cruising, river outings, fishing and quieter lake days.

Source: North Dakota Tourism Division (ndtourism.com)