Know Your Limits and Don’t Go Beyond Them 

Never Paddle Alone 

Always Wear Your Life Jacket 

Have the Right Equipment for the Right Conditions 

• Most importantly, use a proper watercraft for your experience level and conditions 

• Ensure your watercraft, life jacket, and paddles are in good working order and do not need to be replaced 

• Pack the proper safety equipment in an easy to access area including: a light source for low visibility, safety whistle, bilge pump, paddle floats, paddle tethers or leashes, spare paddles, throw lines, flares, airhorns, etc. 

• Have a means of communication with you such as a marine radio or cell phone. Ensure they are in working order and are charged before your trip 

• Always dress for the conditions, pack extra clothing, and dress in highly visible clothing 

• Wear a wetsuit or drysuit when water temperatures are too cold. Cold water immersion will lead to hypothermia quickly, you have about 10 minutes before bodily functioning starts to deteriorate. Dress for the water, not the weather! 

• Pack other important items for a fun and safe day on the water in a dry bag including: Plenty of food and water, a map and compass, first aid kit, sunscreen, binoculars, etc.  

• Know your watercraft’s weight restrictions and don’t overload your boat with gear or body weight 

Be Weather Aware 

• Always check the weather forecast for your trip. Wind speeds and water temperatures are more important than air temperatures 

• Treat the weather forecast as the best case scenario as it will likely get worse over the day but prepare for the worst case weather. Wind and waves tend to build throughout the day. Delay your trip if necessary  

• Avoid paddling in hazardous weather, lightning kills out on the water, even miles away. 

• Be weather aware and don’t let a storm sneak up on you while on the water. Head to shore quickly and always have an exit strategy 

• Check water temperatures to see if a wet or drysuit is needed. If the water and air temperatures add up to less than 120 degrees, use a suit! 

• Pack extra water and sun protection for hot days. Know the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke 

• Research when sunrise or sunset is and watch the time 

• Use your light source in low visibility conditions such as fog or after sunset 

• Avoid paddling in flood waters, river high flow conditions, or fast moving waters. 300-350cfs or lower is ideal for beginners. St. Louis River water flow levels can be found at - https://mnpower.com/Environment/WaterTable  

Stay Sober 

• Booze and boating don’t mix. Alcohol is the #1 factor in boating fatalities 

• Paddling under the influence of drugs or alcohol reduces your reaction time to weather, boat traffic, river obstacles, performing rescues, etc.. 

• Paddling under the influence increases the rate of dehydration leading to increased sunburns, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. It also decreases your body temperature, increasing the likelihood of hypothermia in cold weather. 

Practice Rescues Before Paddling 

• Remember, preparation and practice leads to proper performance 

• Practice rescues and how to use safety and rescue equipment before your trip. Boat smart and take a safety and rescues coarse 

• If you can’t comfortably reenter your watercraft stay close to shore or paddle with someone who can 

• Take a first aid course in case someone gets sick or hurt 

Obey All Navigational Aids and Follow the “Rules of the Road” 

• You will be paddling in shared waterways. Visit the MN DNR Website to access the MN Boaters Safety Guide - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/boatwater/index.html 

• Obey all navigation markers and buoys 

• Use your light source during restricted visibility or after sunset 

• Avoid boat traffic lanes and cross quickly through them if needed. Stay close to shore and as a tight, visible group 

• Know and practice paddle and whistle signals 

• Veer to the right of oncoming boat traffic and understand the right of way: 

  • Non-motorized Craft - (sailboats, canoes, etc.) have the right-of-way over motorized craft in all situations, except when the non-motorized craft is overtaking or passing 

  • Commercial Vessels - small craft shall not insist on the right-of-way when in the path of large commercial vessels, which are limited in maneuverability. 

  • Emergency Craft - all watercraft will yield right-of-way to an authorized watercraft displaying a red or blue flashing light. 

Have a Plan and Let Someone Know 

• Plan ahead for weather and river conditions 

• Have an escape route and a time when you should turn back 

• Have a secondary option if you first put in does not work 

• Tell someone your plans, route, and when you should be back. Give them a float plan and If you’re not back, they should call 911. 

• Always cancel your float plan upon return so emergency response is not initiated 

Clean, Drain, and Dry 

• Ensuring that your watercraft is clean before put in, and clean after put out helps the spread of invasive species in our waterways, it's also the law 

• CLEAN all visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels, and other prohibited invasive species from watercraft, trailers, and water-related equipment before leaving any water access or shoreland 

• DRAIN and DRY water-related equipment by removing drain plugs, pumping or dumping out excess water, and sponging dry before leaving a water access or shoreline property. Keep drain plugs out and water-draining devices open while transporting the watercraft 

• You may not: 

  • Transport watercraft without removing the drain plug 

  • Arrive at lake access with drain plug in place 

  • Transport aquatic plants, zebra mussels, or other prohibited species on any roadway 

  • Launch a watercraft with prohibited species attached 

  • Transport water from Minnesota lakes or rivers