In an Emergency
In case of fire or accidents – call 911.
On the water, non emergencies – call the Kootenai County Sherriff’s Marine Div at 208-446-1854.
Check Current Conditions
- Forest fire activity – Watch Duty.
- Other environmental conditions – Idaho Forest Service Current Conditions
- Cyanobacteria/ Harmful Algal Blooms (CB/HAB) status – Recreational Water Health Advisories
- Report a potential Cyanobacteria/ Harmful Algal Bloom – DEQ’s reporting form.
Boating Regulations
Safe Distancing: When passing another vessel, maintain 100′ distance and slow to 15 mph.
Child Safety:
- Under 10 Life jackets needed aboard any vessel, with adult supervision on motor-powered crafts. No driving, period.
- 10 to 14 Life jackets needed aboard any vessel, adult supervision for driving crafts capable of over 15 MPH.
- 15 and above Life jacket must be readily available for each person aboard (not under seats.)
No Wake Zone:
- Lies within 200’ of shoreline, dock, pier, other structure, or any person in the water -whether there’s a buoy present or not!
- When boating in No Wake zones, wakes must be smaller than 4” and boat speed must be under 5 mph
No excessive Wake Zone:
- Lies within 300’ of shoreline, dock, pier, other structure, or person in the water, 100’ further out than the buoys.
- When boating in No Excessive Wake Zones, do not plow, operate the boat in wake-enhanced mode, or move in any manner that produces a wake that will lap onto or over a dock, pier, or other encroachment.
Wake Responsibly:
- Make it in the Middle.
- Avoid repetitive Passes.
- Keep Tunes Low.
Report Issues: Help the Hayden Lake Watershed Association document the impact of excessive and damaging wakes by completing an incident report.
Keep it Clean: Help keep Hayden Lake free of invasive species by following advice from ISDA: Clean Drain and Dry.
For more and up-to-date information about speed, restricted zones, age limits, County dock and ramp usage, equipment requirements, etc. see Kootenai County’s Boating Rules and Regulations.
Fishing is a favored past-time on Hayden Lake. The Idaho Fish and Game’s Fishing Planner provides insights into recommended game fish along with special rules and bag limits.
Residents and visitors alike, please join our culture of care for Hayden Lake and learn how to recreate safely in its watershed.
Hayden Lake is a special place that many call home, and so many more visit every summer. It retains the natural, rugged beauty that has attracted us to its shores for generations.
We want the Hayden Lake we love to be here for us, our children, even our grandchildren as far into the future as our imaginations can take us. That’s why we developed the It’s Extraordinary poster and Welcome to Hayden Lake Info Sheet. These are simple reminders of how to enjoy Hayden Lake’s beauty safely. Please download, print, and share them with your guests, family, and friends.
These documents are handy references for some of the rules and regulations keeping everyone safe! But we’re not lawyers! So please check out the official source links above for extra detail and guidance.
