If you see events on West Battle Lake that are causing issues such as boats or personal watercraft operating unsafely or too close to swimmers, docks, diving platforms, shore or other items of concern on the water, please call the non-emergency Otter Tail County phone number noted below.

Otter Tail County Sheriff Non-Emergency phone number

218-998-8555

A small subset example of watercraft rules are: 

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT Personal watercraft (PWC) are also known as Jet Skis or Wave Runners. Personal watercraft is defined by law as a motorboat that is:

• Powered by an inboard motor powering a water jet pump or by an outboard or propeller-driven motor.
• Designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the craft, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside a motorboat.

All personal watercrafts are considered motorboats and therefore, any regulations that govern other motorboats (such as fishing boats, cabin cruisers, etc.), also govern personal watercraft.

Personal Watercraft Laws: In summary, the law requires that:

• Anyone operating or riding on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket that is compatible with that activity (check the label).
• Personal watercraft must travel at slow no-wake speed (5 mph or less) within 150 feet of nonmotorized boats, shore (unless launching or landing skiers directly to or from open water), docks, swim rafts, swimmers, or any moored or anchored boat.
• Operation of personal watercraft is allowed only from 9:30AM to 1 hour before sunset

NOTE: For more personal watercraft operating rules Click HERE (Starting on page 42 of rules)

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DNR Enforcement Contact Info

Wish to Report Lake Issues / Concerns . . .

Tricia Plautz 218-924-4322

Tricia is based in Henning and would handle any DNR issues on West Battle Lake

Battle Lake Police Department 218-864-8989 or 911 for Emergencies