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ST. PAUL — With the passage of the Memorial Day weekend not too long ago, lakes and rivers are busier than ever.
Recreation boating season is underway, joining anglers and paddlers who have been on the water since the ice melted.
Lake Benton and Lake Shetek, near Slayton, are two popular destinations for boating enthusiasts.
“Everyone who uses the water has a role in keeping Minnesota’s lakes and rivers safe,” Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Matt Miller said in a prepared press release.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources logo. (Contributed image)
Here are some safety tips the Minnesota DNR would like to share:
•Wear a life jacket, just don’t bring it.
Minnesota law requires children under the age of 10 years old to wear a life jacket when in operation. Wearing a life jacket is the best way for people to survive an accidental fall into the water.
•Leave alcohol on shore.
Operating a boat under the influence is illegal, and the single greatest factor in boating accidents.
•Check safety equipment.
Canoeing is just one recreational water use in Minnesota. (Contributed photo from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Ensure life jackets are in good condition, and fit the wearer. On motorboats, check the carbon monoxide detector, fire extinguishers, navigation lights and sound devices are in working order. Wear the engine cut-off lanyard on your person.
•Own your wake.
Large wakes can affect shorelines, and be hazardous to others enjoying the water.
Also clean your watercraft, drain all water and dispose of unused bait while following the state’s aquatic invasive species laws.
Boaters are encouraged to take a boater education course.
New requirements mean all boaters must complete the course. Look at the DNR website for more information: www.dnr.state.mn.us/.