PA Boating Guide

All powered boats require pa boat registration with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Unpowered boats including canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards have the option of a Pennsylvania boating permit (Launch Permit) instead of full registration. Registration must be renewed annually. Boat registration numbers (boat rego number) must be displayed on the forward half of the vessel on both sides in bold block letters at least 3 inches high. A boat hin lookup can help verify hull identification during registration. Out-of-state boats may operate in Pennsylvania for up to 60 consecutive days with valid home state registration.

Pennsylvania requires all persons born on or after January 1, 1982 to complete a NASBLA-approved pa boater safety course before operating a motorboat powered by more than 25 HP. The resulting pennsylvania boating license (also referred to as a boating license pennsylvania) must be carried while operating. The course is available online or through in-person classes. The certificate is valid for life. PFBC also offers paddlesports safety courses for canoe, kayak, and paddleboard operators.

All vessels must carry a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board, readily accessible. It is the law to have a life jacket for each person on board. From November 1 through April 30, life jackets must be worn on boats less than 16 feet and any canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Powered boats must carry a fire extinguisher meeting USCG requirements. All vessels must carry a sound-producing device, such as a boat horn. Boat navigation lights (and general boat lighting) must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and during restricted visibility. Visual distress signals are required on Lake Erie and the Delaware River.

Boating Under the Influence is illegal in Pennsylvania with a BAC limit of 0.08 percent. Penalties include fines, jail time, and boater education requirements. Personal watercraft operators must follow specific operational restrictions. All vessels must obey posted speed limits and no wake zones. Water skiing and tubing are allowed only during daylight hours with an observer. Accident reporting is required for incidents involving death, disappearance, injury, or property damage. PFBC has specific county-level special regulations under Title 58 Chapter 111 of the Pennsylvania Code. A pennsylvania boating license (or boating license pennsylvania or pennsylvania boat license) is not required; instead, a Pennsylvania boating license equivalent—the Boating Safety Certificate—is mandatory for certain operators.

Pennsylvania has over 2,500 lakes and 86,000 miles of rivers and streams, providing ample boat launch and boat ramp access. Popular boating destinations include Lake Erie (Presque Isle Bay), Lake Wallenpaupack, Raystown Lake, the Delaware River, the Susquehanna River, the Allegheny River, the Ohio River, Pymatuning Lake, Beltzville Lake, Blue Marsh Lake, and numerous PFBC-owned lakes throughout the state.

Pennsylvania boaters must take precautions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, including quagga mussels found in boat, zebra mussels, hydrilla, and Eurasian watermilfoil. Boaters must remove all plants, mud, and debris from vessels and trailers before leaving any water body. Proper boat drain plug installation ensures drainage of all water from bilges, livewells, and engine cooling systems. Clean, Drain, and Dry procedures are recommended between trips. Report invasive species sightings to the PFBC.