Montana Administrative Code

12.11.3106 SWAN LAKE Swan Lake is located in Lake County. Swan Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed pursuant to ARM 12.11.115. The northern outlet of Swan Lake to the southern tip of the southern most island (approximately 3/4 of a mile south), or as buoyed, is limited t…

12.11.3110 FLATHEAD LAKE A portion of Flathead Lake is located in Lake County. In Lake County, Flathead Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1), in the following areas: Cromwell Channel at its narrowest section approximately 800 feet in lengt…

12.11.315 LIGHTS Lights required on motorboats or vessels on waters of this state: in operation between sunset and sunrise; motorboats and sail power auxiliary boats less than 26 feet; display one white light aft on rear of vessel to show all around the horizon 32 pts. (360 E ) h…

12.11.320 SOUND PRODUCING DEVICES ON MOTORBOATS Motorboats shall have efficient sound producing devices as follows: less than 16 feet in length - none; 16 feet to less than 26 feet in length - one hand, mouth, or power-operated whistle, or horn, audible at least one-half mile; 26…

12.11.3201 CANYON FERRY RESERVOIR - LEWIS AND CLARK COUNTY In Lewis and Clark County, Canyon Ferry Reservoir is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1), within 300 feet of docks or as buoyed or described otherwise below, in the following areas: China…

12.11.3204 HAUSER DAM Hauser Dam is located in Lewis and Clark County on the Missouri River and forms Hauser Lake. The waters 250 feet above the dam to 600 feet below the dam are closed to all boating, sailing, floating and swimming. The closed waters will be identified and delin…

12.11.3205 HAUSER RESERVOIR Hauser Reservoir is located in Lewis and Clark County. Hauser Reservoir is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1), in the following areas: Lakeside marina within 300 feet of the docks or as buoyed; Hauser Lake State Park …

12.11.3210 HELENA VALLEY REGULATING RESERVOIR The main purpose of the Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir is to impound the waters for irrigation and for domestic water supply for the city of Helena. No boathouse or landing float, pier, or other docking or mooring device shall be …

12.11.3214 HOLTER DAM Holter Dam is located in Lewis and Clark County on the Missouri River and forms Holter Lake. The waters 150 feet above the dam to 900 feet below the dam are closed to all boating, sailing, floating and swimming. The closed waters will be identified and delin…

12.11.3215 HOLTER LAKE Holter Lake is located in Lewis and Clark County. Holter Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1), in the following areas: Bureau of Land Management boat landing on Holter Lake as buoyed; Juniper Bay; Log Gulch; Departur…

12.11.3220 LAKE HELENA Lake Helena is located in Lewis and Clark County. Lake Helena is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1), during the following times: from April 1 to the opening of waterfowl season. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, …

12.11.3225 SPRING MEADOW LAKE Spring Meadow Lake is located in Lewis and Clark County. Spring Meadow Lake is closed to use for any motor-propelled watercraft. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR p…

12.11.3230 WOOD LAKE Wood Lake is located in Lewis and Clark County. Wood Lake is closed to use for any motor-propelled watercraft. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR p. 18, Eff. 1/12/01.

12.11.325 MEASURING LENGTH OF BOAT For determining the length of a vessel, the distance is measured in a straight line from the foremost part of the vessel to the aftermost part of the vessel, parallel to the center line, exclusive of sheer. Bowsprits, bumpkins, rudders, outboard…

12.11.330 DEFINITION OF "VESSEL" The definition of "vessel" in 23-2-502 (13) , MCA does not include inner tubes (motor vehicle type) , float tubes (belly boats) , air mattresses and sailboards when used without mechanical propulsion by one individual. Authorizing statute(s): 23-2…

12.11.331 SNOWMOBILES ON PUBLIC WATERS All public waters within the state of Montana are closed to snowmobile operation. Snowmobiles may cross or enter upon public water if the water is frozen or it is necessary to cross a small stream to continue travel on snow. When it is neces…

12.11.340 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY State fish and game wardens are hereby authorized and directed to enforce the laws of the state of Montana, and the regulations of the commission, relating to the operation, use, and equipment of boats and other water vessels within the state with …

12.11.3401 BANANA LAKE Banana Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Banana Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined is ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, …

12.11.3402 ALVORD LAKE Alvord Lake is located in Lincoln County. Alvord Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed as defined in ARM 12.11.101. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2011 MAR p. 901, Eff. …

12.11.3405 BOOTJACK LAKE Bootjack Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Bootjack Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1…

12.11.3410 CAD LAKE Cad Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Cad Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Histo…

12.11.3415 CARPENTER LAKE Carpenter Lake is located in Lincoln County. Carpenter Lake is closed to the use of all watercraft propelled by machinery of over 10 horsepower. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW…

12.11.342 REMOVAL OF VEGETATION AND PLUGS (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 80-7-1007, 80-7-1012, 87-1-201, MCA Implementing statute(s): 80-7-1007, MCA History: NEW, 2016 MAR p. 882, Eff. 5/21/16; REP, 2017 MAR p. 438, Eff. 4/15/17.

12.11.3420 CIBID LAKE Cibid Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Cibid Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA…

12.11.3423 KILBRENNAN LAKE Kilbrennan Lake is located in Lincoln County. Kilbrennan Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed as defined in ARM 12.11.101. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2011 MAR p…

12.11.3425 LAKE KOOCANUSA Lake Koocanusa is located in Lincoln County. Lake Koocanusa is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) , in the following areas: Cripple Horse Bay, within 300 feet of dock or as buoyed. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1…

12.11.3430 LAVON LAKE Lavon Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Lavon Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) , including the channel between Lavon and Crystal Lakes. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-30…

12.11.3435 LEON LAKE Leon Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Leon Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Hi…

12.11.3440 LILLY PAD LAKE Lilly Pad Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Lilly Pad Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 8…

12.11.3445 LITTLE LOON LAKE Little Loon Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Little Loon Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-…

12.11.345 USE RESTRICTIONS AT MONTANA POWER COMPANY DAMS (IS HEREBY REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 1990 MAR p. 1003, Eff. 6/1/90; AMD, 1990 MAR p. 1548, Eff. 8/17/90; AMD, 1992 MAR p. 2380, Eff. 10/30/92; AMD, …

12.11.3450 LITTLE RAINBOW LAKE Little Rainbow Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Little Rainbow Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(…

12.11.3455 LOST LAKE Lost Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Lost Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Hi…

12.11.3460 MIDDLE THOMPSON LAKE Middle Thompson Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Middle Thompson Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) in the channel between Middle and Lower Thompson lakes. Authorizing …

12.11.3465 MYRON LAKE Myron Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Myron Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA…

12.11.3470 RAINBOW LAKE Rainbow Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Rainbow Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-30…

12.11.3475 SAVAGE LAKE Savage Lake is located in Lincoln County. Savage Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) , during the following hours: 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. each day. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, M…

12.11.3480 TOPLESS LAKE Topless Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Topless Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) . Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-30…

12.11.3485 UPPER THOMPSON LAKE Upper Thompson Lake is located in Lincoln County within the Thompson Chain of Lakes. Upper Thompson Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) , in the following areas: Middle and Lower lobe. Authorizing statute(s)…

12.11.3501 HARRISON LAKE Harrison Lake (Willow Creek Reservoir) is located in Madison County. Harrison Lake is limited to a controlled no wake speed, as defined in ARM 12.11.101(1) , in the following areas: all of Willow Creek Arm and Norwegian Arm as buoyed 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. Aut…

12.11.3505 MADISON COUNTY All rivers and streams in Madison County east of the continental divide are closed to the use of all watercraft propelled by machinery of over 10 horsepower. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA…

12.11.3506 MADISON DAM Madison Dam is located in Madison County on the Madison River and forms Ennis Lake. The waters 600 feet above the dam to 700 feet below the dam are closed to all boating, sailing, floating and swimming. The closed waters will be identified and delineated by…

12.11.3601 FORT PECK RESERVOIR (REPEALED) Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR p. 18, Eff. 1/12/01; AMD, 2001 MAR p. 847, Eff. 5/25/01; REP, 2012 MAR p. 884, Eff. 4/27/12.

12.11.3701 FOREST LAKE Forest Lake is located in Meagher County. Forest Lake is closed to use for any motor-propelled watercraft. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR p. 18, Eff. 1/12/01.

12.11.3901 LAKE ALVA Alva Lake is located in Missoula County. All watercraft on Lake Alva are limited to a controlled no wake speed as defined in ARM 12.11.101. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR…

12.11.3905 BEAVERTAIL POND Beavertail Pond is located in Missoula County. Beavertail Pond is limited to manually operated watercraft and watercraft powered by electric motors. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History…

12.11.3910 BLANCHARD LAKE Blanchard Lake (on the Clearwater River) is located in Missoula County. Blanchard Lake is closed to the use of all watercraft propelled by machinery of over 10 horsepower. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106,…

12.11.3915 CLEARWATER LAKE Clearwater Lake is located in Missoula County. Clearwater Lake is limited to manually operated watercraft and watercraft powered by electric motors. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History…

12.11.3920 COLT LAKE Colt Lake is located in Missoula County. Colt Lake is limited to manually operated watercraft and watercraft powered by electric motors. Authorizing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA Implementing statute(s): 23-1-106, 87-1-303, MCA History: NEW, 2001 MAR p.…