MINNEAPOLIS — Heads up for those planning to live lake life this summer: Beginning July 1, you'll need a valid permit to operate boats or personal watercraft.

The July implementation of the law passed in 2023 requires people born after June 30, 2004, and are aged 12 and older; accompanying operators for people without a valid operator's permit; and people who want to rent/operate motorized watercraft on Minnesota's waterways to obtain the permit before getting behind the helm.

“Minnesota has a long and proud tradition of safe outdoor recreation, and a key part of that is safety education,” said Capt. Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator, in a statement. “While this new law won’t initially apply to many boat operators, we still encourage all boaters — regardless of their age — to ob

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