Boating Rules
Rough River Lake • Kentucky
Know the Rules. Be Prepared. Boat Responsibly.
Required Before You Launch
- Proper registration numbers displayed on both sides of the boat
- Registration receipt on board
- U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person
- Children under 12 must wear a life jacket while the boat is underway
- Fire extinguisher (required on most motorboats)
- Horn or whistle (required on boats 16 ft and longer)
- Navigation lights (required between sunset and sunrise)
- Red & green bow lights
- White stern/anchor light
Required Based on Boat Type or Size
Throwable flotation device (Type IV)
- Required on boats 16 ft and longer (except canoes/kayaks)
- Life jackets do not count as a throwable device (must be type IV)
Ignition Kill Switch (Lanyard)
- Required on PWCs (jet skis)
- Required on boats under 26 ft that are equipped with one
- Must be attached to the operator while underway
- Shuts off the engine if the operator is thrown from the boat
Life jackets must be worn:
- By all PWC riders
- By anyone being towed (tube, skis, wakeboard)
Strongly Recommended (Not Required)
- Anchor
- Paddle or oar
- First aid kit
- Charged phone or marine radio
- Extra rope
- Flashlight
Before You Launch
- Check fuel level
- Check weather conditions
- Test lights and safety gear
- Let someone know where you’re going
- Review local no-wake zones and lake conditions
Important
This is a simplified checklist based on Kentucky Fish & Wildlife regulations.
Regulations can change. Always confirm current requirements before heading out on the water.
Kentucky Fishing & Boating Guide
Content on this page includes information sourced or adapted from https://fw.ky.gov/. We acknowledge and credit the original source. All rights remain with the original content owner.