Boating, Paddling & Water Safety

Sharing the water — lake & river etiquette

The plain answer: good etiquette keeps the water safe and pleasant for everyone. A lake full of fast boats and a quiet float stream ask for different courtesies — here's how to be a good neighbor on each.

On the lake

Big, fast, busy water

Own your wake — you're legally responsible for the damage or injury it causes. Go no-wake near docks, anchored boats, swimmers, anglers, paddlers, and the shoreline.
Keep your distance and keep a lookout.
Keep the noise down.
Anchor and raft up considerately, leaving room for others.

On the river

Quiet, shared, fragile water

Pack out all your trash — glass is prohibited on canoes, kayaks, and tubes, and please skip foam coolers (a courtesy, not a law).
Share the gravel bars.
Respect anglers and wildlife — give them room and keep the noise down.
Help other floaters who are stuck or swamped.
Respect private property along the banks — stream access lets you float, not trespass.

And everywhere, you respect the private property along the banks. Missouri's stream access lets you float and wade the river — it does not let you trespass up the bank or onto someone's land. Stay on the water and the gravel, and leave each place better than you found it.

Before you launch

Missouri Porch explains; the Highway Patrol, the DOR, and the agency that runs your water decide.

Last checked: 2026-06-18. Boating law, fees, and local lake and river rules change — and the water itself changes with the weather and the season. Confirm before you launch, and wear your life jacket.

This is a plain-English summary, not the law or a substitute for a boating course. Boating rules and fees change — confirm with the Highway Patrol, the Department of Revenue, and the agency that runs your water. In an emergency, call 911.

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