Klinger Lake Rules & Regulations

Highlights of Michigan Water Safety Rules and Regulations

For the complete regulations, see the Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws & Responsibilities. You can read it online here, or you can download the handbook as a PDF here.

Indiana visitors, please note: Boating Rules & Regulations are different in Michigan! You must go counter-clockwise around the lake unless moving at a slow, no-wake speed. A violation is a misdemeanor under Michigan law. Please check the Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws & Responsibilities before operating your boat or watercraft in Michigan.

The 2024 Michigan Fishing Regulations are in effect from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. Download a copy.

DNR Hotline: 1-800-292-7800
Sheriff's Marine Patrol: 269-467-9045

New rules for PWC operation are in effect! Please scroll down to the section on Personal Water Craft for details.

We have clarified with the DNR that ALL sailboats regardless of length must be registered. The only boats that are exempt are nonpowered boats under 16 feet.

ALL BOATS (see below for PWC)

WHO MAY OPERATE A BOAT
Those less than 12 years of age:

May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions.
May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp only if they are directly supervised on board by a person at 16 least years of age.
May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any conditions.

Those 12 to 15 years of age:

May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 hp without restrictions.
May legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp only if they have passed a boating safety course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have on board their boating safety certificate - OR - are accompanied on board by a person at least 16 years of age.

Those 16 years of age or older:

Those born on or after July 1, 1996, may not operate a motorboat that is powered by a motor or motors totaling more than 6 hp on the waters of this state unless the person has been issued a boating safety certificate.
Those born before July 1, 1996, may operate a boat legally without restrictions.

BOATING

All power boats must go in a counter clockwise fashion.
Speed limit on the lake is 55 MPH.
Vessels must operate at least 100 feet from rafts, docks, occupied bathing areas and shoreline, except when proceeding at a "slow, no wake speed" which is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain forward movement.
ALL boats - except privately owned non-motorized canoes, kayaks or row boats 16 feet in length or less - must be registered in Michigan, another state or another country. Registration must be in effect and the paper registration must be carried on board.
Registration numbers and decal must be properly displayed.
All vessels must have at least one type I, II, III or V Personal Flotation Device (PFD) that is U. S. Coast Guard approved wearable and the proper size for each person on board. Vessels 16 feet and longer also must have at least one type IV throwable PFD on board and readily accessible. Children under 6 years of age must wear an approved type I or II PFD when riding on the open deck of any boat.
All boats are required to have at least one type B-1 fire extinguisher on board if any of the following conditions exist:
- Permanently installed fuel tanks.
- Closed compartments in which Gasoline may be stored.
- Closed living space.

WATER SKIING AND TUBING

May not be done during the period from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
When pulling skiers, tubes, etc. boat must have both operator and observer.
The "100 foot rule" applies to both boat and skier, tube, etc…the exception is when starting up or dropping off.

NIGHT OPERATION

Non-powered vessels must be equipped with a white light, displayed in sufficient time to prevent a collision.
Power boats must have white light aft and bow lights showing green to starboard (right) and red to port (left).

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC) - JET SKIS, WAVE RUNNERS, ETC.

WHO MAY OPERATE A PWC
Those less than 14 years of age:

May not legally operate a PWC.

Those 14 and 15 years of age may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate and …

He or she is accompanied on board by his or her parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian or …
He or she is operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from his or her parent or legal guardian or from a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian.

Those 16 years of age or older:

Those at least 16 years of age and born after December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
Those born on or before December 31, 1978, may operate a PWC legally without restrictions.

These rules are taken from the Michigan Personal Watercraft Safety Act (324.80215). They went into effect on Oct 1, 2011.

OPERATING A PWC

All PWC's must go in a counter clockwise fashion.
Speed limit on the lake is 55 MPH.
The lanyard of the PWC's ignition safety switch must be attached to the person, clothing or personal flotation device of the operator.
PWC's must operate at least 100 feet from rafts, docks, occupied bathing areas and shoreline, except when proceeding at a "slow, no wake speed" which is defined as the minimum speed necessary to maintain forward movement.
A person operating a PWC shall not cross within 150 feet behind another vessel, other than another PWC, unless the PWC is operating at a slow no wake speed, and shall not weave through congested vessel traffic, or disregard the rights or safety of others, or in any way operate a PWC in a reckless manner.
PWC registration must be in effect and the paper registration must be carried on board. Registration numbers and decal must be properly displayed.
Each person 12 years of age or older, riding or being towed, must wear a type I, II, or III personal flotation device (PFD). Each person less than 12 years of age, riding or being towed must wear type I or II PFD.
Each PWC must be equipped with one type B-1 fire extinguisher.

LIABILITY OF OWNER

The owner of a PWC is liable for any injury caused by a negligent operator. It is the responsibility of the owner to instruct anyone using his or her PWC about how to operate the PWC and about all applicable regulations.

WATER SKIING AND TUBING

When pulling skiers, tubes, etc., PWC must have both operator and observer. The PWC must be designed to carry not less than two persons.
The "100 foot rule" applies to both PWC and skier, tube, etc. The only exception is when starting up or dropping off.

NIGHT OPERATION - IS ILLEGAL

A person shall not operate a PWC during the period that begins at sunset and ends at 8 a.m. This is a change in the rules this year; previously PWC had to be off the lake one hour before sunset.

Trash Burning Restrictions Are In Effect

Jean Tefft at the White Pigeon Township Office would like to remind Klinger Lake residents that you are not allowed to burn without a burn permit. The only time you don't need a permit is when there is snow on the ground or if you are burning in a burn pit. Permits are free and can be obtained at the Township Office. Hours are Mon-Wed-Fri. 9am-5pm and Tues-Thurs. 9am-3pm.

On April 19 Public Act 102 of 2012 was signed into law, prohibiting the open burning of household trash that contains plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, or hazardous materials. The burning of these household trash items poses a danger to human health and the environment. The law amends the open burning provisions contained in Section 11522 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Public Act 451 of 1994). The changes took effect October 16, 2012 and contain penalty provisions, which may be enforced by local units of government, should a local ordinance not exist.

Health Risks of Burning Trash

Chemicals from the burning of household trash may include hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, lead, mercury, and dioxin. The fine particulate matter, containing a variety of chemicals, can have acute and chronic health effects on exposed people including cardiovascular and respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma). Long-term and repeated exposure to some of the chemicals emitted during trash burning have been shown to impair neurodevelopment in children, the immune system, and thyroid function. Some pollutants have been shown to contribute to the onset of diabetes and cancer. Many of these pollutants emitted can persist in the environment, resulting in future exposures to both people and wildlife. People conducting open burning of household trash as their main method of disposal will frequently be exposed to these hazardous substances. People living in the surrounding area (i.e., neighbors within several hundred feet) will also be frequently exposed to these hazardous substances.

Information provided by, and Copyright 2012 by the State of Michigan.

Fires and Burning Regulations

You must have a permit to have an open fire except when the ground is snow covered, or for domestic purposes, or to protect persons or property in case of fire
Any person who sets a fire without taking reasonable precautions to prevent the escape thereof or leaves the fire before it is extinguished is guilty of a misdemeanor
Any person who maliciously sets a fire which endangers human life or destroys the property of another, may, upon conviction, be assessed a fine of not more than $10,000, or imprisonment for a term of not over ten years, or both such fine and imprisonment
Any person who negligently allows a fire to escape is liable for all expenses incurred by the State of Michigan in the suppression of such fire
Any permit issued may be removed if conditions are such that burning may not be done safely
A permit does not supersede any other Act, Ordinance, or Rule which further restricts or prohibits the setting of fires

This is only a summary; please contact the Township for further information concerning permits and regulations

Regulations Concerning Dogs and Other Animals

All dogs in the state of Michigan must be licensed by 4 months of age
All dogs must be confined to the property of the owner or kept under restraint at all times
All dogs shall be kept from disturbing the peace. Your neighbor has a right to privacy! Your dog does not have the right to excessively bark, whine, or howl in a frequent, loud, or untimely fashion
Anytime a dog bites someone, you must notify your local police, Animal Control, or Health Department within 24 hours of the bite.
If your dog bites someone, even on your own property, you are liable. You can be sued and held responsible both criminally and civilly
Wild animals (including raccoons) cannot be kept as pets without proper permits. Keeping a wolf/dog hybrid is prohibited

This is an unofficial summary. Here is a link to download the St. Joseph County Animal Ordinance as a PDF If you have further questions, please contact the the St. Joseph County Animal Control office for information. The office is located at 652 E. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032. Telephone (269) 467-6475. According to our information, the office hours are currently 8 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Who Manages What?

Download our handy list of Who Manages What (PDF format).