Boating

Please do not call the Boulder Beach staff about boating violations since they are not responsible for enforcing boating regulations.

Canoes and Kayaks: please wear light colored clothes or life jackets to be visible on the lake. This is especially important when using a dark canoe or kayak.

Boating Safety Course Next Given Sunday July 1 & Monday July 2, 2012

at the Nature Center 9:30am - 2:30 pm. All persons born after January 1, 1974 are required to complete a boating safety course prior to operating a motorboat on Vermont waters. A Boating Certification course is given at Lake Groton on July 4th weekends. It is free, however pre-registration (at least a week in advance) and pre-studying is required. For additional information, contact Jim Soutar, 479-2400 (days) or 584-3878 (summer nights & weekends). The Nature Center Boating Safety Course is highly recommended, but if you are unable to attend the course given at the lake, you can obtain your boating safety certificate online: click here.

In New Hampshire there is a minimum age of 16 to be certified for operating a boat with greater than 25 HP. There is no Grandfathering in New Hampshire and so this applies to people of all ages. Note that the Connecticut River is controlled by the New Hampshire police so the New Hampshire rules apply and all boats with motors greater than 25 HP need to have a boaters certificate on board. For more information, see the Boater's Guide of New Hampshire.

Whenever boating in another state, you must be aware of and comply with their boating laws. Massachusetts has different restrictions and you should understand their laws if operating there.

Boating on Lake Champlain is governed by Coast Guard rules.

Boat Launching
The majority of people launch their boats at Stillwater Campgrounds. People launching their boats at Stillwater are reminded to rinse and thoroughly inspect their boats and gear to remove any aquatic plants before launching. A convenient boat wash station is provided. Even if the boat has only been in Lake Groton, owners should set a good example by rinsing and inspecting their boats.
There are a number of camps which have their own boat (also canoe and kayak) launching capability. These camp owners have the responsibility to ensure that they and anyone launching from their property thoroughly rinse and inspect their boats and gear to remove any aquatic plants. Any plants found should be disposed of away from the lake and streams which flow into the lake.

Note that Milfoil or another aquatic plant is just as likely to come into the lake on a fishing line or water ski rope as on a boat propeller. Please inspect carefully!