Q&A: Do you need a license to take a boat onto a lake or canal or if not license do you need a contract/agreement?

Question by crazy…: Do you need a license to take a boat onto a lake or canal or if not license do you need a contract/agreement?
I just wondered since I am considering buying a small rowing boat is I can just go to a canal or lake and jump in or if I need something like a license or similar first?

Best answer:

Answer by Marty M
It’s my understanding that some really overused places are demanding boating licenses–but it’s rare still and caused by accidents due to alcohol consumption usually. Here in Missouri a rowboat wouldn’t ever take any kind of license, driving or otherwise. HOWEVER, you do need to make sure that wherever you take your rowboat allows that kind of activity. Some places allow swimming and boating on their tapwater, some places want all activity ceased in their tapwater. You can usually tell if there are people around swimming, or there are regulatory boats with corp of engineer supervision. Some water is under city regulation (city water source), and some under state supervision, some under federal. Local people will all know the story. Just call the city main phone number and tell the operator what you want to know–she’ll either just tell you, or forward you to a good department that probably/will know. Don’t get discouraged about how vague this answer is–you’ll only have to find out about what you can do on the water the first time, and anybody standing around the water will know. ALSO, if fishing is involved with your rowboat, you absolutely need a license and know exactly what fish you can keep–“Fish and Wildlife” will be able to help you. You can usually buy a day pass to fish which is quite inexpensive if you don’t go often.

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