Starting July 1, 2025, some young adults and youth who operate watercraft in Minnesota will need to possess a valid watercraft operator’s permit – a boating license – as required by a 2023 state statute.
This July deadline will not apply to every motorboat or personal watercraft operator in Minnesota. For the July 1, 2025, deadline, people who must possess the valid permit are those 12 years old up to those born after June 30, 2004. So anyone who turns 21 after June 30, 2025 and younger will need the permit. Minnesotans older than that will not need the permit, yet.
Home » Home Page News » Some young adults and youth boat operators need license on July 1 in Minnesota
Some young adults and youth boat operators need license on July 1 in Minnesota
SUBSCRIBER CONTENT
Read this article now.
Create a free Outdoor News account.
Create a free account below to get instant access to this article, thousands of Outdoor News stories, and our digital editions. Your 1-month trial starts the moment you sign up.
No credit card required
No credit card required
Subscriber? Login Here.
Share on Social
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Hand-Picked For You
New York Fishing Report – September 18, 2026
Site Staff
September 18, 2026
Lake of the Woods Fishing Report – September 22, 2026
Site Staff
September 22, 2026
Minnesota’s 2026 elk harvest reaches nearly half of allocated tags during early season
Justin Runberg
September 22, 2026
Northern Wisconsin Fishing Report – September 17, 2026 – video
Site Staff
September 17, 2026
Have a game plan – video
Terry Tuma
September 15, 2026
Metro Area Fishing Report – September 20, 2026
Matt Johnson
September 20, 2026
Related Articles

Minnesota’s 2026 elk harvest reaches nearly half of allocated tags during early season
Justin Runberg
September 22, 2026
As the first half of the elk season winds down in northwestern Minnesota, nearly half the tags have been filled

Upper Herring Lake offers western Michigan bass anglers a legitimate fall option
Ralph Loos
September 22, 2026
Bass can be widely distributed through the vegetation, but cooling water often triggers more active feeding.
Michigan’s Outdoor Calendar
Staff Report
September 22, 2026
A look at upcoming outdoor-related events from across Michigan published in the Sept. 25, 2026 edition of Outdoor News.