Do You Know What All Of These Buoys On Minnesota’s Lakes And Rivers Mean?

In the wake of (boat pun, haha) news about a new Minnesota law that will require boat operator permits for people operating boats and other motorized watercraft, I figured it was a good time to check on your boat safety knowledge.

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when on a watercraft. While most people associate being on a boat, pontoon, or personal watercraft with fun, there's a serious side to it all, too.

Maintaining safety for yourself and others by looking out for dangers and other watercraft is a big part of making sure that a fun day on the water stays fun. One crucial piece is the markers and buoys you see on Minnesota's lakes and rivers.

Do you know what they all mean?

Some of these buoys and markers also have text on them to make it pretty easy to understand what they are trying to tell you. Not every buoy or marker has text on it, however.

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I've been in boats or on pontoons with people who have no clue what some buoys mean, which frankly can be a safety concern.

So, whether you're heading to your favorite fishing spot, going for a leisurely pontoon cruise, ripping across the water on a personal watercraft, or towing a waterskier or wakeboarder, having everyone know the "rules of the road" (err...water) is crucial.

(Hopefully) this is just a refresher, but here's a rundown of the most common types of buoys and markers you'll see on Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and other waterways, and what they mean.