All vessels must have Oklahoma registration and license by June 30 each year. Boats currently registered in another state may be used on these lakes for a 60-day period without registering them. If the boat remains in Oklahoma for more than 60 calendar days, it must be registered in Oklahoma. Registration stickers must be displayed on the front port and starboard portion of the vessel.

All boats kept or operated on GRDA lakes shall be inspected by GRDA's Lake Patrol. A safety inspection sticker shall be placed on the port front portion of boat. This is a free inspection.

The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron has a Vessel Safety Check Program offering free boat inspections for the Grand Lake area.
For more information visit their web site or call 1-918-786-4830.

All children (age 12 and under) must wear an approved life preserver (personal flotation device) at all times when the boat they are in is 26 feet long or smaller.

Within 150 feet of boats, wharves, docks, shoreline, landings or swimming areas, power boats and personal watercraft must not travel faster than idle speed. All boats shall respect the 'No Wake Areas' including under all bridges. Vessel operators will be held responsible for any property damage caused by their wake.

Effective January 2007 all prospective boaters between the ages of 12 and 16 in Oklahoma will be required to have a certificate of completion of a recognized boating course with a proctored exam.

The Grand Lake Sail & Power Squadron and GRDA offer Boat Smart classes to meet this requirement.

Boat operators must be at least 16 years old and have a valid automobile operators license, unless under the direct (on board) supervision of a responsible adult.

Operators of a personal watercraft must be a at least 15 years of age. Children ages 12 -14 may operate one if they are visually supervised by a responsible adult.

Operators of personal watercraft must stay at least 50 feet away from all moving vessels and must idle around docks and swimmers. Operators must wear an approved life preserver.

Water skiing, jet skiing and similar activities are permitted only during daylight hours. Water skiing is prohibited upstream from the Strang Bridge on Lake Hudson, above Twin Bridges, in Elm Creek east of Grove water intake tower, above the Harbors Marina on Duck Creek, and above Lakemont Shores ramp on Drowning Creek on Grand Lake.

In addition to the boat operator, a boat towing a skier must have a person (of at least eight years old) in a position to observe the skier, unless a rear view mirror has been installed so that the boat operator can observe the skier.

Wake jumping is prohibited in any cove, creek or hollow.

All boats must carry an approved personal flotation device for each person on board. No boat shall operate above its licensed capacity. Each boat shall be equipped with a paddle or set of oars, an anchor, a bailing device, horn or whistle and a flame arrestor if applicable.

Boats over 16 feet in length must have a throwable cushion. Sirens are not permitted. All boats must have proper navigation lights and fire extinguishers.

No one shall sit or ride on the sides of a boat (unless it has 24-inch high rails) while it is moving faster than idle or trolling speed. Operators may stand, if the vessel was designed to be driven from a standing position.

During nighttime hours, boat speeds must not exceed 35 miles an hour. Lights must be illuminated at all times.

Boats must not be operated within 200 feet of any GRDA dam, and during generation no closer than 500 feet. No boat may be operated in a reckless, unsafe manner. No boat may be operated by a person under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

All boats shall be muffled according to State law. Marine toilets must have a total retention system.

Noise Abatement - Except for sanctioned events permitted by GRDA, all vessels must be muffled pursuant to 63 O.S.A. §4208 and no person shall operate a vessel that exceeds the noise level of 90 decibels on an A-weighted scale when subjected to a sound level test as prescribed by SAE J2005 within fifty (50) feet of any public or private dock or at any location between the hours of 9:00 P.M. through 9:00 A.M.

In the interest of public health, no camping is permitted on GRDA property except in designated public use areas. No littering or trash dumping is allowed on GRDA property, including the water.

Only shotguns and proper archery equipment are allowed on GRDA property. All hunting on GRDA property shall be conducted in accordance with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regulations.

With the exception of the Lake Patrol, boats powered by internal combustion engines are not permitted on W.R. Holway Reservoir.

Inspection stickers may be cancelled and boats removed from the waters of GRDA lakes for any violation of these rules.

Duck Creek Boating Rules
Woodard Hollow Boating Rules

For Complete Rules and Regulations goto their website. GRDA Boating Laws


These rules are the courtesy of GRDA.