12.11.115    NO WAKE ZONES FOR LAKES GREATER THAN 35 ACRES IN THE WESTERN FISHING DISTRICT

(1) This rule applies to any public lake or reservoir in the western fishing district greater than 35 acres and therefore not regulated in ARM 12.11.110.

(2) All watercraft on public lakes or reservoirs greater than 35 surface acres within the western fishing district are limited to a controlled no wake speed as defined in ARM 12.11.101 from shoreline to 200 feet from the shoreline. The following are exceptions under this rule:

(a) personal watercraft which must maintain a certain minimum operating speed to remain upright and maneuver in the water may travel at that minimum operating speed following the most direct route through the no wake zone to and from shore;

(b) motorized watercraft towing a water skier from or to a dock or the shore, except watercraft falling under this exception must travel the most direct route through the no wake zone to and from the dock or shore;

(c) Crystal Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County;

(d) Horseshoe Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County;

(e) Lake Five located in Flathead County;

(f) Loon Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County;

(g) Lower Thompson Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County;

(h) McGregor Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Flathead County;

(i) Middle Thompson Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County; and

(j) Upper lobe of Upper Thompson Lake located within the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County.

(3) Any more specific regulations adopted by the commission pertaining to bodies of water affected by this rule are controlling.

History: 23-1-106, 87-1-301, 87-1-303, MCA; IMP, 23-1-106, 23-1-501, 87-1-303, MCA; NEW, 2000 MAR p. 2975, Eff. 5/15/01; AMD, 2010 MAR p. 1287, Eff. 5/28/10.