The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will close 2026 watercraft registrations in October and reopen November 1 for 2027 registrations. One-year registrations cost $30, while three-year registrations cost $80, with aquatic invasive species sticker options available.
This guide explores four key upgrades for shallow-water boats: Z-LAUNCH for dock-free launching, ATLAS Micro Jacker for outboard height adjustment, CMC Tilt & Trim for motor control, and Gator Guards Gator Skinz for improved traction. These upgrades help anglers and duck hunters navigate challenging waters more effectively.
The Honda Marine Cup fishing tournament returns to Gooimeer lake on September 19, 2026, featuring 100 boats in its largest event to date. Organized by Honda Marine Europe with support from Michel Oostdijk, Daan Verbruggen, and Frank van Vliet, the catch-and-release competition emphasizes community engagement and family atmosphere.
BoatU.S. Magazine's September/October issue features ten top boating towns selected by associate editor Kelsey Bonham Bailey and contributing editor Mike Longman, including Traverse City, Michigan; East Greenwich, Rhode Island; Virginia Beach, Virginia; Osage Beach, Missouri; Stuart, Florida; Portland, Maine; Mooresville, North Carolina; Anacortes, Washington; Minnetonka, Minnesota; and Annapolis, Maryland.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources warns boaters of challenges at public water access sites due to ongoing drought conditions affecting 48% of the state in severe drought. Low water levels may expose obstructions at boat ramps, and the DNR recommends inspecting ramps, using spotters, and considering early watercraft removal to prevent complications.
Bill Yeargin, board chair and former president and CEO of Correct Craft, was announced as a 2026 inductee into the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame. Over two decades, Yeargin transformed Correct Craft into a diversified family of businesses spanning boats, engines, watersports, and technology.
Arkansas boaters and anglers are taking to the water after dark to escape summer heat, but nighttime navigation requires proper preparation. Essential safety measures include U.S. Coast Guard-approved navigation lights, life jackets, slow speeds in shallow areas, and filing a float plan with family before launching.
NOAA Fisheries reminds fishermen and boaters to maintain safe distances from whales, recommending 100-600 feet separation and 1500 feet from endangered North Atlantic right whales. Recent reports show humpback whales entangled in monofilament line and fishing gear, causing injuries. The Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network urges avoiding bubble clouds and reporting entangled whales to (866) 755-6622.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area closed its last public boat ramp on Aug. 15 due to historically low water levels from prolonged drought. Private vendors Van's Lakeview, Ski Patrol, and Big Mac Marina now provide launch services. Boaters are warned of dangerous mud flats and soft lake beds.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area in Nebraska recommends private boat launch services from Van's Lakeview, Ski Patrol, and Big Mac Marina as water levels drop to 2006 lows. Park Superintendent Patrick Schnell advises visitors to schedule services in advance and remain aware of changing water and shoreline conditions.
Garmin's Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology helps boaters prevent collisions by transmitting vessel data and providing situational awareness. Garmin has partnered with the Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce to alert boaters to North Atlantic right whale areas, protecting marine life while enhancing navigation safety.
The Waterways Safety Council invites the public to attend its quarterly virtual meeting on August 19 at 9 a.m. via Microsoft Teams Live. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft will brief council members on ongoing projects and issues affecting recreational boating in Ohio.
Construction begins July 27 at Cyr Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Clark Fork River's Alberton Gorge. The boat slide will remain open during daytime hours with temporary evening closures while Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks replaces wood and stairs over several weeks.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has reopened the Moundville Public Boat Ramp after renovations to the launching slab. Funding was provided through the Sport Fish Restoration Program and Innovate Alabama.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is renovating the Andrew Hulsey Lake Hamilton Access in Hot Springs from July 13-17, adding floating docks, repaving the parking lot, and creating a dedicated kayak launch area to improve safety and accommodate fishing tournaments like the FLW Cup and All American.
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of Alabama's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will temporarily close Waterfront Public Boat Ramp on Lake Guntersville starting July 13, 2026 for major upgrades including parking expansion, a new four-lane launching slab, and floating access pier.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds boat operators to be mindful of wake risks during peak summer boating season. The DNR recommends maintaining safe distances from shore, reducing speed in congested areas, and being courteous to other water users to prevent property damage, shoreline erosion, and habitat degradation.
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division will conduct courtesy boat inspections at public boat landings across South Carolina on July 3-5. Officers will check for required safety equipment and proper registrations, offering compliance assistance rather than citations during the busy holiday weekend.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds boaters that waterways will be extremely busy around July 4th. Lt. Eric Sullivan emphasizes that all water users must share resources responsibly by wearing life jackets, managing wakes, preventing aquatic invasive species spread, and obtaining required watercraft operator's permits.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has completed improvements to public water access sites at Green Lake's Kandiyohi County Park 5 and Rush Brown Landing, plus Elkhorn Lake, funded through the Get Out MORE initiative. Upgrades include new boat ramps, stormwater management, aquatic invasive species prevention facilities, and enhanced accessibility features.