Wake-Boat Rules · No wake-surf-specific rule
Montana Wakesurf & Wake-Boat Rules
Montana has no statewide wakesurfing-specific law. General no-wake rules apply (e.g., no-wake within 200 feet of shore on waters over 35 surface acres west of the Continental Divide, and no-wake on western-district lakes under 35 acres), and ballasted wake/wakesurf boats need decontamination before launching in the Columbia River Basin. No wake-surf-specific distance/depth/acreage thresholds exist statewide.
Montana has no statewide wakesurfing-specific law. General no-wake rules apply (e.g., no-wake within 200 feet of shore on waters over 35 surface acres west of the Continental Divide, and no-wake on western-district lakes under 35 acres), and ballasted wake/wakesurf boats need decontamination before launching in the Columbia River Basin. No wake-surf-specific distance/depth/acreage thresholds exist statewide.
Wake-boat rules change often and vary by individual lake. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is the governing authority — confirm the current regulation before you ride. This summary is informational, not legal advice.
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Specifications reflect published figures and can change by model year — verify before purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
No wake-surf-specific rule. Montana has no statewide wakesurfing-specific law. General no-wake rules apply (e.g., no-wake within 200 feet of shore on waters over 35 surface acres west of the Continental Divide, and no-wake on western-district lakes under 35 acres), and ballasted wake/wakesurf boats need decontamination before launching in the Columbia River Basin. No wake-surf-specific distance/depth/acreage thresholds exist statewide.
Montana does not publish a single statewide distance-from-shore figure for wake boats — distances are set locally. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is the authority.