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BOATING RULES / REGULATIONS

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Boat Registration

The three commercial marinas issue Madera County registration stickers; the sticker is valid for the calendar year. You must register immediately upon launching. A colored sticker is issued. For more information contact the sheriff at 559-642-3606.

go to www.basslakeboatrentals.com 

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Registration Fees

  • Under 51 hp: $35.00  

  • 51 hp - 250 hp: $53.00  

  • 250 hp+ : $66.00  

  • PWC: $50.00   

Launch/Parking

There are Two launch ramps. On the North side at Bass Lake WaterSports, the fee is $20 per launch. Trailer parking is available at the Pines resort for $20 per day or free for guests. A public ramp is on the South East side near the dam and but there is a $7 per day parking fee. Parking is limited. The North West side at the falls and South shore is owned by the US forest service and day use or camping is available. Day use parking fee is $3 per vehicle.

Lake Tows

The Sheriff no longer tows boats. Contact Bass Lake water sports at 559-642-3200 a standard fee of $225 applies, prices may vary.

 go to www.basslakeboatrentals.com 

BOATING RULES OF THE LAKE

You must be 16 years old to operate a boat. Boats shall travel in a counter clock wise direction. Cross the lake perpendicular to the centerline.  The outer edge is designated as 5 mph (no wake zones) by orange buoys that surround the entire lake. An orange flag must be displayed when people or equipment is outside the boat and the boat is not under way. The orange flag holder must be at least 12 yrs old and it can not be the driver; so you must have a minimum of 3 peopler aboard (driver, flagger, and whomever is being towed). Boats and PWC's are not allowed in swim areas. The boat in front of you, or any boat to your right always has the right of way. You must stay 100ft from any boat showing an orange flag, swimmer, wakeboarder/surfer or other obstacles.

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You must be 16 years old to operate a Personal Water Craft and they are restricted to designated areas.  PWC's are not allowed to cruise the lake other than to or from a PWC area.  PWC's are not permitted to tow. Local, State and Federal Laws apply.  Please see Madera County Sheriff or California Boating and Waterways for additional information before boating on Bass Lake. 

 

This is only a partial list of rules. For further information contact the Madera County Sheriffs Department - Boat Patrol at 559-642-3201.

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