Wyoming Boating and Watercraft Information · Registration Information · Boating Safety · Watercraft Accident Reporting · Boating Regulations · Places to Boat in Wyoming.
What is required to operate a boat in Wyoming?
In Wyoming, all boats with any size motor, both gas and electric, need to be registered. Wyoming does not require registration of non-motorized watercraft, but be aware that some states do and you should check if you intend to use your non-motorized watercraft in another state.
Is it legal for my 15-year-old child to operate a jet ski?
Only if accompanied by an adult. Boating laws specify that no person shall operate or be in physical control of a numbered motorboat unless he or she is 16 years of age or is accompanied by an adult. This includes personal watercraft such as jet skis and waverunners since these craft are classified as motorboats under Wyoming law.
Under what age are children required to wear a life jacket when boating?
If you’re 13 or older, then you are not required by law to wear a life jacket – but it is recommended. However, wearing a life jacket is required in some boating activities, including water skiing and being towed by a boat on other devices. Boaters are encouraged to read the section in the Wyoming Boating Regulations dealing with the various safety equipment required for different classes of boats.
Do I need to register my canoe, kayak or drift boat?
In Wyoming, all boats with any size motor, both gas and electric, need to be registered. Wyoming does not require registration of non-motorized watercraft, but be aware that some states do and you should check if you intend to use your non-motorized watercraft in another state. In addition, some national parks, including Yellowstone, require a permit to operate a non-motorized boat in the park. All watercraft using Wyoming waters are required to display an Aquatic Invasive Species decal. Non-motorized inflatable watercraft 10 feet or less in length are exempt.
Do I need life jackets in a boat that doesn’t have a motor?
Yes. Whether the boat has a motor or not is immaterial to the life jacket law. Wyoming law requires that watercraft, whether motored or not, must carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device (PFD) of a suitable size for each person on board. “Water sport toys” — float tubes, air mattresses — are exempt from the PFD requirement in most instances. “Toy” users must wear a PFD if being pulled by a boat or if a motor is attached to the toy, as some anglers are doing by attaching an electric motor to their float tube
Why do some lakes have boating and horsepower restrictions?
It’s a matter of safety and outdoor ethics. Lakes with boating or motor restrictions are usually smaller waters that attract small craft, such as rowboats, canoes and rafts. On these waters the wake created by large motorboats can capsize smaller craft. Motorboat waves crashing the shore can also cause ill feelings with bank anglers. Boating restrictions are listed in the Wyoming Fishing Regulations.
Required Wyoming Boat Safety Equipment
You are required by law to carry the necessary safety equipment aboard your watercraft. Safety equipment requirements vary by the class of your boat, which is determined by the boat’s length. This reference will help identify the safety equipment you will need on board.
Class A – Less than 16 feet
Class B – 16 to <26 feet
Class C – 26 to <40 feet
Class D – 40 feet and up
Flotation Devices
- All boats are required to carry a properly-sized U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person on board.
- Class B, C and D boats are also required to carry a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable flotation device (ring buoy or float cushion).
- Life jackets must be worn at all times when riding a personal watercraft or when being towed by or riding in the wake of a watercraft. Kids 12 years of age and under are required to wear a life jacket while the watercraft is underway.
Fire Extinguishers
- All boats with inboard engines, compartments where fuel tanks or combustible material may be stored; double bottoms not sealed to hull; closed living spaces; or permanently installed fuel tanks must have the proper fire extinguisher(s).
Lights
- From sunset to sunrise all motorized watercraft and sailboats must display red and green combined lantern in the front of the boat and a white light aft visible 360 degrees when underway.
- All watercraft at anchor or adrift between sunset and sunrise must display a white light to show all around the horizon and visible for two miles.
- Hand-powered watercraft must have lighting ready at hand to avoid collision.
- From sunset to sunrise no other lights which may be mistaken for navigation lights shall be used.
- Different classes require different lighting. Refer to the watercraft regulations for more information.
Sound Producing Devices
- All motorized watercraft shall have an efficient sound producing device on board.
Wyoming 22-1 CHAPTER 22 WATERCRAFT REGULATION
Section 2. Regulation.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission hereby adopts the following regulation governing watercraft. This regulation shall become effective January 1, 2022, and shall remain in effect until modified or repealed by the Commission.
Section 3. Definitions.
For the purpose of this regulation, definitions shall be as set forth in Chapter 13, Title 41 and the Commission also adopts the following definitions:
(a) “Accompanied by an adult” means no person under the age of sixteen (16) years shall operate or be in physical control of a motorized watercraft on the waters of the State unless an adult is also physically aboard the motorized watercraft and is responsible for the operation of the watercraft.
(b) “Adult” means a person eighteen (18) years of age or older.
(c) “Aft” means a direction toward the back of a watercraft.
(d) “Beam” means the width of a watercraft at its widest part.
(e) “Bow” means the front of a watercraft.
(f) “Certificate of number” means watercraft registration.
(g) “Degrees of a compass” means the gradations in a compass; there are three hundred sixty degrees (360) within a compass.
(h) “Diver down flag” means a rectangular shaped flag either blue and white in color (alpha flag) or red in color with a white diagonal stripe (diving flag), not less than twelve (12) inches x twelve (12) inches and displayed no less than three (3) feet above the surface of the water.
(i) “Duplicate number or duplicate certificate” means a certificate of number issued by the Department to replace an original certificate of number.
(j) “Enclosed cabin” means a permanent structure with hardened sides, which is intended for human occupation.
(k) “Gunwale” means the upper edge of the side of a watercraft.
(l) “HIN” means a Hull Identification Number that meets the specifications listed in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(m) “Kill switch” means a device for shutting off the engine of a personal watercraft in the event the operator falls off the personal watercraft while it is underway.
(n) “Length of a watercraft” means the length of the hull of a watercraft measured in a straight line from the stem to the stern excluding the deck, bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard motor brackets and similar fittings or attachments.
(o) “Motorized watercraft” means any watercraft powered by an internal combustion or electric engine.
(p) “Motorized watercraft dealer ” means a person who is engaged in the business of manufacture or sale of motorboats in Wyoming and who is required to be licensed with the Wyoming Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax or a person whose motorboat sales business is outside Wyoming, but who demonstrates motorboats in Wyoming.
(q) “No wake” means the speed of a watercraft when underway that does not cause water action that disturbs another watercraft at rest, a dock, or swimmers, and, in no case shall the speed of the watercraft when underway be in excess of five (5) miles per hour.
(r) “Operator” means the person in physical control or in charge of a watercraft while it is in use. When the person in physical control of a watercraft is under the age of sixteen (16) years, the accompanying adult may be considered the operator.
(s) “Personal watercraft” means any inboard motorized watercraft less than sixteen (16) feet in length which has a water-jet pump as its primary source of motor propulsion and that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on the watercraft, rather than the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the watercraft.
(t) “Port” means the left side of a watercraft as one faces forward and is denoted by a red light.
(u) “Proof of ownership for temporary operation” means a notarized bill of sale stating the name of the previous owner of the motorized watercraft, the name of the purchaser of the watercraft, description of the watercraft with correct HIN or a copy of a properly transferred title, a bill of sale with correct HIN from a motorized watercraft dealer, or a copy of a notarized affidavit by the builder of a homemade watercraft that indicates a description of the watercraft and the date construction was completed.
(v) “Rental boat owner” means a person who rents watercraft to the public for a fee.
(w) “Safe carrying capacity” means the capacity shall not exceed the number of persons or the weight limit, whichever is reached first, as stated on the capacity plate affixed to the watercraft.
(x) “Starboard” means the right side of a watercraft as one faces forward and is denoted by a green light.
(y) “Stem” means the line where the port and starboard hulls join together at the bow.
(z) “Stern” means the transom or rear end of a watercraft.
(aa) “Temporary operation” means the operation of a motorized watercraft without a certificate of number during the thirty (30) consecutive days immediately following the date of purchase.
(bb) “Throwable device” means a U.S. Coast Guard approved ring buoy or buoyant cushion.
(cc) “Underway” means the watercraft is being propelled by mechanized power, wind, or human effort.
(dd) “Vessel” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water.
(ee) “Wake” means the water action caused by a watercraft that is underway that disturbs another watercraft at rest, a dock, or swimmers, and, the speed of the watercraft exceeds five (5) miles per hour.
(ff) “Water sport toy” means a sailboard, float tube, kite board or any aid to swimming or fishing that is not defined as a watercraft.
(gg) “Watercraft” means any contrivance used or designed primarily for navigation on the water that is designed to be propelled by paddles, oars, sails or motors, except devices defined as water sport toys. Amphibious vehicles designed for travel over land and water with propeller or jet propulsion systems shall be considered watercraft for the purpose of this regulation.
(hh) “Wearable personal flotation device” means a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device that is intended to be worn by an individual.
Section 4. Motorized Watercraft Registration and Numbers.
(a) All numbers assigned to motorized watercraft in the State shall consist of three (3) parts. The first part, the prefix, shall consist of the letters “WY” signifying the State of registration; the second part shall consist of not more than four (4) Arabic numerals; the third part, the suffix, shall consist of not more than two (2) capital letters, but “I”, “O” and “Q” shall not be used because of their similarity to Arabic numerals. The first capital letter in the third part, the suffix, shall indicate the Class of motorboat as A, B, C, or D. Numbers assigned to motorized watercraft dealers shall have the letters “DL” as the suffix. Numbers assigned to rental watercraft shall have the letters “AL,” “BL,” or “CL” as the suffix.
(b) All numbers shall be displayed on each side of the bow of the motorized watercraft in such a manner that the numbers shall be clearly readable when the motorized watercraft is underway.
- (i) Numbers shall be affixed on each side of the exterior bow of the motorized watercraft to read from left to right. The number shall be:
- (A) In plain, block vertical, not slanted, letters and numerals of the same proportion;
- (B) A minimum of three (3) inches high excluding shading and bordering; and,
- (C) A color that shall contrast with the color of the background, i.e., dark numbers on a light background or light numbers on a dark background.
- (ii) A hyphen or a space, equal in width to the letter “W” in the prefix, shall separate the three (3) parts of the number. For example: “WY-1234-A” or “WY 1234 A”.
- (iii) All numbers assigned to motorized watercraft, except those assigned to motorized watercraft dealers, shall be painted on or securely attached to the bow of the motorized watercraft. Motorized watercraft dealers may affix the number for motorized watercraft that are for sale to a removable board(s) to permit transfer of the assigned number upon sale. Display of such number shall be in accordance with this section.
- (iv) A motorized watercraft dealer is eligible to receive more than one (1) registration certificate and one (1) motorized watercraft registration number. A motorized watercraft dealer registration number is not assigned to a specific motorized watercraft. Motorized watercraft dealer registration numbers shall not be transferred to another motorized watercraft dealer or motorized watercraft owner.
(c) Upon payment of the motorized watercraft registration fee, each applicant for a motorized watercraft certificate of number shall be issued a registration certificate and two (2) decals upon which shall appear a designation of the year(s) for which the registration fee was paid and the abbreviation WYO. One (1) decal shall be displayed on each side of the motorized watercraft to which the number is assigned aft and directly in line with the assigned number of the motorized watercraft. No other type decal shall be displayed on the front half of the hull. Only the decal that is currently valid shall be displayed.
(d) Transfer of ownership for registration or first time registration of a motorized watercraft shall require a copy or original certificate of title issued in the name of the applicant(s) with the correct HIN.
- (i) A watercraft registration shall only be issued in the name of the owner as it appears on the certificate of title.
(e) Persons making application for a watercraft dealer’s registration shall provide the Department with a properly completed Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement – Certificate of Exemption form. The form, which can be obtained from the Department of Revenue, indicates the watercraft is being purchased for resale and the purchase is exempt from sales/use tax. The dealer’s sales tax license number shall appear on the form.
(f) Duplicate Certificate of Number.
- (i) The Department shall not charge a fee for issuance of a duplicate certificate of number when the loss or destruction of the certificate was the fault of the Department. The Department shall charge a fee of ten dollars ($10) for issuance of a duplicate certificate of number when the loss or destruction of the original certificate of number was not the fault of the Department.
Section 5. Watercraft Safety Equipment Requirements.
Except as provided in this section, it shall be the responsibility of the operator of the watercraft to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft during operation. If the owner of the watercraft is aboard the watercraft during operation, it shall be the responsibility of the owner and not the operator to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft during operation. In the case of rental watercraft, it shall be the responsibility of the rental boat owner to ensure that all required safety equipment is aboard the watercraft at the time the watercraft is rented.
- (a) Every watercraft when underway on the waters of the State from sunset to sunrise shall carry and exhibit lights in accordance with the provisions of this section. From sunset to sunrise, no other light that may be mistaken for those listed in this section shall be used.
- (i) Every motorized watercraft of classes A and B shall carry the following lights:
- (A) A bright white light aft to be visible three hundred sixty degrees (360) all around the horizon; and,
- (B) A combined lantern in the front of the motorized watercraft and lower than the white light aft, showing green to starboard and red to port, so fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5) aft the beam on their respective sides.
- (ii) Every motorized watercraft of classes C and D shall carry the following lights:
- (A) A bright white light in the front of the motorized watercraft as near the bow at the center axis as practicable, so constructed as to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of two hundred twenty-five degrees (22.5), and fixed as to show the light one hundred twelve and five tenths degrees (112.5) on each side of the motorized watercraft from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5) aft the beam on either side;
- (B) A bright white light aft to show three hundred sixty degrees (360) all around the horizon and higher than the white light forward; and,
- (C) On the starboard side, a green light constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and five tenths (112.5) degrees, and fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5) aft the beam on the starboard side. On the port side, a red light constructed to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of one hundred twelve and five tenths degrees (112.5), and fixed as to show the light from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5) aft the beam on the port side. Each light shall be fitted with inboard screens of sufficient height set to prevent light from being seen across the bow.
- (iii) Every white light referred to in this section shall be visible at a distance of at least two (2) miles and every colored light shall be visible at a distance of one (1) mile.
- (iv) Sailboats, when propelled by sail alone, shall exhibit the following lights: On the starboard side, a green light and on the port side a red light to show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon from directly ahead to twenty-two and five tenths degrees (22.5 ) aft the beam. Sailboats shall also carry at the stern a white light to show the light sixty-seven and five tenths degrees (67.5) from aft on each side of the watercraft. In a small sailboat if it is not possible on account of bad weather or other sufficient causes for the light to be fixed, sailboats shall carry ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision. Sailboats less than forty (40) feet in length may carry a combined light in lieu of separate side lights.
- (v) All manually propelled watercraft operated between sunset and sunrise shall have ready at hand a lantern or flashlight to show a white light that shall be exhibited in sufficient time to avoid collision.
- (vi) All watercraft at anchor or adrift between sunset and sunrise, unless anchored at a designated site such as a marina, shoreline, etc., shall display in the front of the watercraft or where it can best be seen a white light to show all around the horizon and visible for two (2) miles.
(b) Every gasoline engine installed in a motorized watercraft after April 25, 1940, except outboard motors, shall be equipped with an efficient means of backfire flame control. Installations made before November 19, 1952, need not meet the detailed requirements of this subsection and may be continued in use as long as they are in good and serviceable condition. The following are acceptable means of backfire flame control for gasoline engines:
- (i) A backfire flame arrester approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. The flame arrester shall be suitably secured to the air intake with flame tight connections;
- (ii) An engine air and fuel intake system that provides adequate protection from propagation of backfire flame to the atmosphere equivalent to that provided by an approved flame arrester. A gasoline engine that has such an air and fuel intake system and that is to be operated without a U.S. Coast Guard approved flame arrester shall be labeled to meet requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard; and,
- (iii) Any attachment to the carburetor or location of the engine air intake by means of which flames caused by engine backfire shall be dispersed to the atmosphere outside the motorized watercraft in such a way that the flames shall not endanger the motorized watercraft, persons on board, nearby watercraft or structures. All attachments shall be of metal with flame-tight connections and firmly secured to withstand vibration, shock and engine backfire. Such installations do not require formal U.S. Coast Guard approval, but shall be accepted by law enforcement officers on the basis of this subsection.
(c) All motorized watercraft, except open boats, shall have at least two (2) ventilator ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the efficient removal of explosive or flammable gases from the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment. There shall be at least one (1) exhaust duct installed so as to extend from the open atmosphere to the lower portion of the bilges and at least one (1) intake duct installed so as to extend to a point at least midway to the bilge or at least below the level of the carburetor air intake. The cowls shall be located and trimmed for maximum effectiveness to prevent displaced fumes from being recirculated. As used in this subsection, the term “open boat” means those motorized watercraft that have all engine and fuel tank compartments and other spaces in which explosive or flammable gases and vapors could form open to the atmosphere so as to prevent the entrapment of such gases and vapors within the motorized watercraft.
(d) Motorized watercraft shall be provided with an efficient sound producing device as set forth in this subsection:
Class of Motorized Watercraft requires what Type of Sound Device?
| Class of Motorized Watercraft | Type of Devices Required |
| A & B | Mouth, hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for at least one-half (1/2) mile. |
| C | Hand or power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for at least one (1) mile. |
| D | Power operated device capable of producing a blast of two (2) seconds or more duration and audible for a distance of at least one (1) mile. |
(e) All watercraft shall carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person on board. Wearable personal flotation devices shall be used in accordance with any U. S. Coast Guard approval label requirements. All U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices shall be readily accessible, in good serviceable condition and shall not be waterlogged, torn, or have straps, buckles, zippers or ties broken or missing.
- (i) Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length shall have a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device (unless otherwise provided by this regulation), on board the watercraft, in addition to a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size for each person on board. Watercraft sixteen (16) feet and over in length being utilized in Class II and above whitewater are exempt from having a minimum of one (1) U.S. Coast Guard approved throwable device if the watercraft has a safety throw rope. Class II whitewater means novice straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels that are evident without scouting; occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers; swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed; rapids that are at the upper end of this difficulty range are designated Class II.
- (ii) All persons aboard personal watercraft and all persons being towed by or riding in the wake of a watercraft shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device of a suitable size while engaged in such activity. All persons utilizing water sport toys are exempt from the requirement of carrying a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device unless the water sport toy is being towed by a watercraft.
- (iii) Requirement For Life Jacket Wear By Children.
- (A) No person shall operate a watercraft underway with any child aboard twelve (12) years old or younger unless each child is either wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable personal flotation device or is riding in an enclosed cabin.
(f) Operators of motorized watercraft shall display a fluorescent orange flag, at least twelve (12) inches x twelve (12) inches in size, above the motorized watercraft anytime persons towed on water-skis, water sport toys, or other contrivances are down in the water to warn other watercraft operators of the situation. The operator of the motorized watercraft shall ensure the flag is displayed in such a manner that it is visible three hundred sixty degrees (360) around the motorized watercraft and the person in the water.
(g) Fire extinguishers
- (i) Fire extinguishers shall be carried in all watercraft that have one or more of the following conditions that make the watercraft of closed construction:
- (A) Inboard engines;
- (B) Closed compartments under seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored;
- (C) Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation materials;
- (D) Closed living spaces;
- (E) Closed stowage compartments in which combustible material are stored; or, (F) Permanently installed fuel tanks.
- (ii) Fire extinguishers shall be U.S. Coast Guard or Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) approved. Fire extinguishers are classified by letter and Roman numeral according to the type of fire they shall be expected to extinguish and the size of the extinguisher. The “letter” indicates the type of fire:
- (A) “A” shall be for fires of ordinary combustible materials;
- (B) “B” shall be for gasoline, oil and grease fires; and,
- (C) “C” shall be for electrical fires.
- (iii) Fire extinguishers approved for watercraft shall be hand-portable of either B-I or B-II classification.
| CLASSIFICATION (type-size) | FOAM (gallons) | CARBON DIOXIDE (pounds) | DRY CHEMICAL (pounds) | HALON (pounds) |
| B-I | 1-1/4 | 4 | 2 | 2-1/2 |
| B-II | 2-1/2 | 15 | 10 | — |
- (iv) Dry chemical fire extinguishers utilized on watercraft which do not exhibit gauges or devices indicating the amount of pressure in the extinguisher shall be weighed and display a tag that indicates the extinguisher has been weighed within the immediately preceding twelve (12) months. If the gross weight of a carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher is reduced by more than ten percent (10%) of the net weight, the extinguisher does not meet the requirements of this section and shall be recharged.
- (v) Fire extinguishers shall be readily accessible aboard the watercraft and in such condition as to be ready for immediate and effective use.
- (vi) Requirements for fire extinguishers by length of watercraft are as follows:
- (A) Watercraft less than twenty-six (26) feet in length. When no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery space(s), at least one (1) B-I type approved hand portable fire extinguisher is required. This requirement shall not apply to outboard watercraft less than twenty-six (26) feet in length if the construction of such watercraft shall not permit the entrapment of explosives or flammable gases or vapors. When an approved fixed fire extinguisher system is installed in machinery space(s), one (1) less B-I type extinguisher is required;
- (B) Watercraft twenty-six (26) feet to less than forty (40) feet in length. At least two (2) B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers are required or at least one (1) B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher is required. When an approved fixed system is installed, one (1) B-I type is required; and,
- (C) Watercraft forty (40) feet to less than sixty-five (65) feet in length. At least three (3) B-I type approved portable fire extinguishers are required or at least one (1) B-I type plus one (1) B-II type approved portable fire extinguisher are required. When an approved fixed system is installed, two (2) B-I types are required.
Section 6. Boat Races, Regattas and Water Ski Tournaments.
No regattas, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions, or trials thereof, shall be held without prior written authorization from the Department.
- (a) Department authorization shall not be granted for any regattas, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments or exhibitions or trials thereof, without first assuring that:
- (i) When the Department authorizes an event, water markers, buoys or regulatory signs shall be placed during the hours of the event by the person granted authority for the event to warn other watercraft operators of a controlled area prohibited from entering by anyone other than contestants of the event. The markers, buoys or regulatory signs shall conform with those adopted for use in the State; and,
- (ii) The person granted authority for the regatta, watercraft races, marine parades, tournaments, exhibitions or trials shall satisfy the Department that adequate safeguards and controls exist to protect human life, limb and property.
Section 7. Waterway Marking System.
(a) The Department may restrict and guide watercraft use on waters by placement of such buoys, markers or regulatory signs as it deems necessary. All users of watercraft are required to obey the buoys, markers or regulatory signs. The buoys, markers or regulatory signs signify restricted areas, danger areas and information pertaining to watercraft operation in specific areas. Standard markers used are as follows:
- (i) A diamond shape of international orange with white center shall indicate danger. The nature of the danger may be indicated by words or well known abbreviations in black letters inside the diamond shape, or above or below it on white background;
- (ii) A diamond shape of international orange with a cross of international orange against a white center without qualifying explanation shall indicate a zone from which all watercraft are excluded;
- (iii) A circle of international orange with white center shall indicate a control or restriction. The nature of the control or restriction shall be indicated by words, numerals or well known abbreviations in black letters inside the circle. Additional explanations may be given above or below in black letters;
- (iv) A rectangular shape of international orange with white center shall indicate information, other than a danger, control or restriction that may contribute to health, safety or well being. The message shall be presented within the rectangle in black letters;
- (v) Letters or numerals used with regulatory markers shall be black in block characters of good proportion and spaced in a manner that shall provide maximum legibility and visibility; and,
- (vi) No buoys, markers or regulatory signs shall be placed upon the waters of the State without prior approval of the Department, except that divers or persons snorkeling shall place a diver down flag(s) upon the water in the immediate area of their activity.
- (A) No person shall operate or permit the operation of any motorized watercraft on the waters of this State within one hundred (100) feet of a diver down flag(s) that has been displayed to indicate the presence of a person diving or snorkeling. The diver down flag(s) shall be displayed only when diving or snorkeling is in progress, and shall be displayed so as not to impede normal watercraft traffic. Diver down flag(s) shall not be placed in areas already occupied by other watercraft.
- (b) No person shall alter, damage, deface, destroy, move, remove, tie off to, or otherwise modify any Department approved buoy, marker or regulatory sign.
Section 8. Personal Watercraft.
- (a) No person operating a personal watercraft shall cross or jump the wake of another watercraft within one hundred (100) feet of the watercraft creating the wake.
- (b) No person shall operate a personal watercraft unless the watercraft is equipped with a kill switch installed by the manufacturer. When a personal watercraft is underway, the kill switch shall be attached via a lanyard to the operator of the personal watercraft in such a manner that in the event the operator is ejected from the personal watercraft the engine shall stop.
- (c) Personal watercraft are prohibited on certain waters (refer to Section 9(b) of this regulation).
Section 9. Waters on Which the Operation of Watercraft is Restricted or Prohibited.
(a) No person shall operate a motorized watercraft at a speed that causes a wake within one-hundred (100) feet of a drifting, trolling or anchored watercraft or person(s) in the water.
(b) The use of personal watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year:
- All waters in Grand Teton National Park in Teton County;
- The Snake River from Grand Teton National Park boundary in Teton County to Sheep Gulch boat ramp in Lincoln County;
- Frye Lake in Fremont County;
- Green River Lakes in Sublette County;
- Louis Lake in Fremont County;
- New Fork Lakes in Sublette County;
- Soda Lake on Soda Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area in Sublette County; and
- Worthen Meadows Reservoir in Fremont County.
(c) The use of motorized watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year except as otherwise provided. Emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft are exempt.
- All waters in Grand Teton National Park, excluding Jackson and Jenny lakes, in Teton County;
- Kemmerer City Reservoir in Lincoln County;
- McIntosh Pond 2 (Western Nuclear Pond) in Fremont County;
- North Platte River to include only that area between Glendo Dam and Glendo Powerplant in Platte County;
- North Platte River upstream from the Saratoga Inn bridge in the town of Saratoga to the Colorado state line in Carbon County (the owners or agricultural lessees of property immediately adjacent to the North Platte River, or their agents, may utilize motorized watercraft to carry out agricultural practices);
- South Worland Pond (also known as Golf Course Pond) in Washakie County;
- Snake River from Grand Teton National Park boundary in Teton County to Sheep Gulch boat ramp in Lincoln County, except motorized watercraft, other than personal watercraft, powered by a single motor not to exceed one hundred fifteen (115) horsepower are allowed from South Park Bridge in Teton County (U.S. Highway 26/89/191) to West Table boat ramp in Lincoln County from the day after Labor Day through March 31; and,
- West Ten Sleep Lake in Big Horn County.
(d) The use of internal combustion engines in motorized watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year except as otherwise provided. Emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft are exempt.
- A&M Reservoir in Sweetwater County;
- Absaraka Lake in Laramie County;
- Beck Lake Recreation Area including Beck Lake, New Cody Reservoir and Markham Reservoir in Park County;
- Black Hills Power and Light Osage Pond in Weston County;
- Bryan Stock Trail Pond in Natrona County;
- Cook Lake in Crook County; Dollar Lake in Sublette County;
- Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park including all ponds within the Park in Natrona County;
- Festo Lake in Platte County;
- Fiddlers Lake in Fremont County;
- Fish Lake in Fremont County;
- Gillette Fishing Lake in Campbell County;
- Johnson Creek Reservoir in Albany County;
- Kleenburn Ponds in Sheridan County;
- Lake Alice in Lincoln County;
- Leazenby Lake in Albany County;
- Lake of the Woods in Fremont County;
- Little Soda Lake in Sublette County;
- Lower North Crow Reservoir (North Crow Diversion Reservoir) in Laramie County;
- Luckey Pond (Chittim Reservoir) in Fremont County;
- Medicine Bow National Forest including all lakes within the boundaries of Medicine Bow National Forest, except Sand Lake, Turpin Reservoir, Lake Owen, Rob Roy Reservoir and Hog Park Reservoir, in Carbon and Albany counties;
- Middle Piney Lake in Sublette County;
- Murphy Lake in Lincoln County;
- Naughton Plant Pond in Lincoln County;
- Pelham Lake in Fremont County;
- Pete’s Pond in Fremont County;
- Ranchester City Reservoir in Sheridan County;
- Rawlins City Reservoir in Carbon County;
- Sand Mesa Reservoirs No. 1 and 2 in Fremont County;
- Sibley Lake in Sheridan County;
- Soda Lake, on Soda Lake Wildlife Habitat Management Area, in Sublette County shall be closed from May 1 through May 31 to the use of internal combustion motorized watercraft;
- South Springer Reservoir in Goshen County;
- Swamp Lake in Park County;
- Tie Hack Reservoir in Johnson County;
- Upper North Crow Reservoir in Laramie and Albany counties; and,
- Wind River Lake in Fremont County.
(e) The use of any type watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year, except as otherwise provided. Emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft are exempt from this subsection.
- Black Elk Pond in Weston County
- Grayrocks Reservoir to include only that area between the regulatory buoys and the spillway in Platte County;
- Hawk Springs Reservoir in Goshen County from December 1 – February 15;
- Jim Bridger Pond to include only that area inside the pumphouse booms in Sweetwater County;
- North Platte River to include that area between the Dave Johnston Power Plant Public Access Area and the Dave Johnston Power Plant in Converse County; and,
- Wheatland Reservoir No. 3 Canal from the headgate in Reservoir No. 2 to the mouth in Reservoir No. 3 in Albany County.
(f) The use of a motor in excess of fifteen (15) horsepower on motorized watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year, except as otherwise provided. Emergency, search and rescue, enforcement and Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft are exempt from this subsection.
- Crystal Reservoir in Laramie County;
- Deaver Reservoir in Park County;
- Harrington Reservoir in Big Horn County.
- Healy Reservoir in Johnson County;
- Jim Bridger Pond in Sweetwater County;
- Lily Lake in Park County;
- Muddy Guard Reservoirs in Johnson County;
- Newton Lakes Recreational Area including East and West Newton Lakes in Park County;
- Packers Lake in Goshen County;
- Park Reservoir in Johnson and Sheridan counties;
- Renner Reservoir in Washakie County;
- Sloans Lake in Laramie County; and
- Turpin Reservoir in Carbon County.
(g) The use of a motor in excess of ten (10) horsepower on motorized watercraft is prohibited on the following waters throughout the calendar year, except as otherwise provided. Emergency, search and rescue, enforcement, Game and Fish Department administrative watercraft and other watercraft authorized by Grand Teton National Park are exempt from this subsection.
- Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park in Teton County.
For Additional information Contact:
Wyoming Game & Fish
Department Headquarters
5400 Bishop Blvd
Cheyenne, WY 82006