LAKE
PATROL officers are authorized to enforce all laws, ordinances,
and regulations in effect on the waters of
Big Bear Lake.
BOAT PERMIT must be properly displayed on all vessels. Any
alteration to or trade of a permit will void the permit.
BOAT SIZE REQUIREMENTS: Maximum boat length is 26 feet. Manually
propelled boats less than 12 feet in length and float-tubes
are required to operate between the 5 MPH buoys and the shore.
PUBLIC DOCKS: located at the boat launch facilities are for
loading and unloading only; do not leave boats unattended.
SANITATION: No refuse shall be thrown into or left on the
shoreline of the Lake; no oil from a bilge pump shall be
allowed to discharge into the Lake; no person shall deposit
any type of fish, amphibian, or aquatic plant into the Lake.
VEHICLES are prohibited from driving on the Lake bottom.
Vehicles must obey posted speed signs and operate in accordance
with the Vehicle Code while on District property.
ANIMALS must be on a leash no more than 7 feet long while
on District property.
OPEN FIRES are prohibited except at Forest Service designated
campgrounds and picnic areas, or by special permit.
FIREWORKS are prohibited.
Age Limitations
PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 are prohibited from operating any vessel with more
than 15 horsepower.
PERSONS 12 THROUGH 15 years of age are prohibited from operating a vessel with
more than 15 horsepower unless supervised on board by a person at least 18 years
of age.
Operation
RECKLESS OPERATION:
No person shall operate a boat, waterski, or similar device in a reckless
or negligent manner. The owner and operator are
responsible
for any damage caused by their boat, its wake, or its tow.
BOATING ACCIDENTS must be reported immediately to the Lake Patrol.
SPEED LIMIT: 35 MPH maximum; 10 MPH from sunset to 7:00 AM; 5 MPH between
buoys indicating same and the shoreline; 3 MPH in Papoose Bay, Canvasback
Cove, and
Mallard Lagoon.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT: All boats must be equipped according to California Boating
Law safety requirements.
MUFFLERS: No boat shall operate with excessive noise. H&N 654
LAUNCHING: Boats requiring trailers may be launched only from designated
launch ramps. All other boats may be carried and launched at designated
recreational
or public access points around the Lake after obtaining a boat permit.
MOORING or tying to navigational markers is prohibited. Overnight mooring
or beaching of boats along the shoreline is prohibited.
CHILDREN under the age of 12 are required to wear a personal flotation
device while on board a vessel that is underway.
PUBLIC DOCKS located at the boat launch facilities are for loading and
unloading only; do not leave a boat unattended.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT shall maintain a 100 foot distance from all other boats
while operating above wakeless speeds.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT operators are prohibited from "spraying down" any
person or vessel in the water.
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT riders shall wear personal flotation devices at all
times.
Waterskiing
ALL BOATS engaged in waterskiing
shall maintain a counter clockwise direction.
HOURS OF WATERSKIING are between 7:00 AM and sunset.
AN OBSERVER in addition to the operator is required and must be at least
12 years of age.
A RED FLAG must be displayed whenever a skier or equipment is in the
water.
ALL BOATS engaged in waterskiing shall maintain a counter clockwise direction.
NO PERSON shall operate waterskis or similar device so as to endanger
the life of any person..
WATERSKIERS shall wear personal flotation devices.
Fishing
FISHING is prohibited
from the Dam or from within posted areas.
ANGLERS 16 YEARS OR OLDER must have a current California State
fishing license properly displayed..
ALL FISHING REGULATIONS are strictly enforced.
Swimming
SWIMMING
is allowed within 50 feet of the shore, within a designated swimming
area, within 20 feet of a private dock, or as incidental or necessary
to waterskiing, jetskiing, sailboarding or in an emergency.
SCUBA DIVING is prohibited.
For Your
Safety
TROLLING
FISHERMEN should display a white flag to indicate to other
boaters in the area that a fishing line
is trailing in the water behind the boat.
FISHING BOATS should not impede safe access for waterskiers
entering or exiting a designated ski beach.
OPERATORS should maneuver their boats slowly and carefully in unfamiliar
waters, since fluctuating Lake levels can cause unmarked natural
or manmade hazards
to occur.
SWIMMERS should always swim with a partner and swim with caution
in unfamiliar water.
LIGHTNING STORMS can develop quickly in the mountains, and lightning
frequently strikes the Lake's surface. Boaters are advised to seek
shelter and safety
quickly.
ICE COVERING BIG BEAR LAKE during the winter months is extremely
dangerous, unstable, and deceptive. STAY OFF LAKE ICE!!
BE A SOBER BOATER!
New State
Boating Laws Effective January 1, 2001
OPERATOR
AGE LIMITS Persons under
the age of 16 are prohibited from operating any vessel powered
by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, except
for a sailboat that does not exceed
30 feet in length. The new law allows persons 12 to 15 years
of age to operate motorboats of 15 horsepower or more if
supervised on board by a person at least
18 years of age.
RECKLESS OPERATION DEFINITIONS FOR PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
New law prohibits personal watercraft (PWC) operators from
undertaking unsafe or reckless practices, including jumping
another vessel's
wake within 100
feet of that vessel, operating at a rate of speed and proximity
to another vessel
so that either operator is required to swerve to avoid collision,
and "spraying
down" any person or vessel in the water.
WEARABLE LIFE JACKETS NOW REQUIRED FOR SMALL BOATS AND PERSONAL
WATERCRAFT
All recreational vessels less than 16 feet in length, including
canoes and kayaks, must carry Type I, II, III or V wearable
personal flotation devices
for each person on board. Prior to the new law, vessels under
16 feet were allowed to carry either a throwable or wearable
flotation device for each person
on board. |
