Per Order of the West Brookfield Selectmen

LAKE WICKABOAG BOATING RULES

 

  1. All persons using the lake do so at their own risk.

  2. No hydroplanes or air-boats allowed except for official lake managing activities.

  3. No boating or swimming allowed when solid red flags are displayed on lake (indicates lake is being treated for weeds or algae, or conditions are unsafe).

  4. No speeding. Boat and personal watercraft (PWC) speed limits are as follows:

    1. Daytime: 45 MPH

    2. Nighttime: 5 MPH (with a white light turned on, visible from all directions)

    3. In “No Wake” Zones: 5 MPH (within 150 feet of shore, in marinas, and channels)

  5. No water skiing within 150 feet of swimmers, other water skiers, other boats, piers, rafts, divers, or shore (except when launching or returning to shore).

  6. No towing skiers, boarders, or tubes without an onboard observer.

  7. No operating a boat or jet-ski under influence of alcohol or drugs.

  8. No swimming more then 50 feet from shore unless accompanied by a boat; and when accompanied, swimmer must stay within 25 feet of boat at all times.

  9. The use of loud or profane language, or the playing of amplified music at excessive volume, shall be considered a breach of the peace.

  10. No tampering with navigation buoys.

  11. No boats engaged in fishing are allowed within 50 feet of piers or rafts, and a catch and release policy is preferred for all types of fishing on this lake.

  12. No littering or polluting lake. Clean weeds off engine prop before launching, again when leaving, and dispose all in trash barrel near ramp, or on dry land away from lake.

  13. All state and federal safe boating rules and regulations must be adhered to. The language here is simply a brief summary of some of those rules and does not replace the language of the actual laws and regulations as presented in Chapter 90B, MA General Law, 323 Code of MA Regulations, and 310 CMR 2.00, 3.00, 4.00.

 

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The West Brookfield Police, the Massachusetts Environmental Police, the regional Warden, and the patrolling Lake Wickaboag Harbormaster all have the authority to enforce all boating rules. Violators may be subject to a $300.00 fine and loss of boating privileges