The Handbook of South Dakota: Boating Laws and Responsibilities is the official boating handbook developed for the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The handbook introduces you to South Dakota laws governing boating and provides general information about safe vessel operation on South Dakota waterways.
Once a prehistoric inland sea, South Dakota’s Lake Oahe is now the fourth-largest reservoir in the U.S. and the perfect location for fishing and boating. The most popular visitors to Lake Oahe, however, are trailersailors looking for a peaceful few days on South Dakota’s serene waters.
Use this handbook to familiarize yourself with steps to make all your boating outings safe and enjoyable. Remember, safety on South Dakota waterways is the responsibility of all boaters.
Topics include:
Boater Education
You may have heard that you need a boating license to operate your boat, but what you really need is a boaters safety course. Whether or not your state requires education, it can reduce boating accidents and injuries on the water. Boaters can keep themselves and their passengers safe by learning about responsible boat operation, etiquette, and the rules of the waterways.
Many boaters also take the South Dakota-approved boat education course to save money on their boat or PWC insurance or to go boating in other states that require boat education.