Bonner County Boating Regulations & Safety

If you will be boating more in Bonner county that's Priest Lake or Lake Pend Oreille Than anywhere else, We strongly encourage you to register your boat in Bonner County, The funds we raise from this helps us maintain our waterways throughout the year.  Click the hyperlink Vendors for an assortment of Registration Locations.


No Wake Zones: A designated area where the operation of watercraft must be accomplished at not more than 5 miles per hour, nor with more than a 6-inch wake, whichever is greater. The listed limit on Bonner County Waterways is 200 feet from the shoreline or structure.

Regulatory Buoys: verbiage about types of buoys, where and why. How to apply for a new reg. Buoy to be placed in a specific location, (clickable link to application)

Speed Limits: Where speed is not otherwise regulated, the speed limit should be reasonable but not in excess of 50mph on Lake Pend Oreille, Pend Oreille River, Priest Lake, & Upper Priest Lake, and 35 mph on the Clark Fork River and Come Back Bay.

Boating Accidents: If your boat is involved in an accident you need to stop the vessel immediately at the scene and assist anyone who may be injured or in danger from the accident. The operator must give in writing his or her name, address, and vessel identification to the owner of any property damaged by the accident.
*It is unlawful to operate or to allow the operation of a motor-driven watercraft by a person under the age of 10 except under direct adult supervision.*
If you have questions feel free to check out the Marine Division Website or call the Bonner County Sheriff's Office: (208) 263-8417 or non-emergency dispatch: (208) 265-5525.

Education: many organizations and Government Agencies offer education courses and training for boat operations, such as the Idaho Department of Parks & Recreation, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the U.S. Power Squadron, and Bonner County Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's office will be conducting a Boat Idaho Course about 3 times each spring/summer for anyone wanting to learn basic boating laws and safety. Visit HERE to sign up for their class or inquire for more information.

Boat Responsibly! For more information see the links for Facebook and Twitter below:
https://www.facebook.com/IdahoBoatingProgram  &  https://twitter.com/boatidaho

Wear a life jacket.
Never operate a boat under the influence.
Take a boating safety course.
Get a free Vessel Safety Check.