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Customer Service
The Water Patrol does more than patrol lakes and rivers to issue tickets. The state legislature outlines the obligations of the Sheriff in Chapter 86B of the Minnesota State Statutes. The Chapter is commonly known as the Boat and Water Safety Act. In addition to enforcing the laws, the sheriff regulates the use of the lakes and rivers by issuing permits for water related activities, inspects charter and rental boats, educates the public and investigates water and watercraft accidents.
This page contains links to many of the services offered by the Water Patrol. If you have any questions about forms or permits, check our page for information.
If you are holding an event on the lakes or rivers of Hennepin County, which will draw spectators, or may interfere with others who use the water, you must apply for a Special Event Permit. Some (but not all) examples of events that require a permit are:
Fishing Contests (both winter and summer)
Boat races and regattas
Festivals (such as golfing on ice)
Water ski or parasail exhibitions.
If you plan on placing a structure in a lake or river (other than a dock) you are required to apply for a Temporary Structure Permit. The most common types of structures are:
Swim rafts,
Floating trampolines and other permanent, in-water play structures,
Swim areas (designated by buoys),
Water ski jumps and slalom courses,
Skating rinks.
Charter Boat and Boat Rental Companies
If you rent boats canoes, kayaks, or if you provide boat rides or cruises for a fee, your watercraft must be inspected annually by the Water Patrol before you can legally rent or charter. Click one of the links below for more information
Education
Sate law requires that before people of a certain age can legally operate watercraft (including PWC's) , Snowmobiles and ATV's, they must have formal, state approved training. The Water Patrol offers Youth Snowmobile Training each December. You can also get online training through the following links.
Adults can get boat training through the US Power Squadron or the US Coast Guard. Click here to see a list of Metro Area classes.
Watercraft and Snowmobile Registration
You can register your boat, snowmobile or ATV online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This page provides a link to the DNR online registration web site. Note: be sure to follow the instructions carefully and make sure to print out the "TAN" card as your proof of registration
These are links to other websites, including the Minnesota DNR, the Lake Minnetonka Conservation District, the Minnehaha Watershed District, and others and to other items of interest such as wind chill calculators and sunrise and sunset times.