PIER REGULATION

FAQs

Ever wonder how far your pier can go into the lake?

A pier may extend out to a 3-foot water depth as measured at summer low levels, or to adequate depth for mooring a boat or using a boat lift. In addition, a pier may not obstruct navigation. In narrow rivers or channels, construct a wharf parallel to the shoreline rather than extending a pier perpendicular to it.
The loading platform should be included in the length of your pier.
Six feet is the maximum width allowed for any portion of a pier. This width allows safe loading of gear and passengers. However, the pier may have an area wider than six feet as a loading platform. The surface area of the platform must not exceed 200 square feet. The attached sections of the pier should be included in this measurement.
Piers may be placed in a variety of configurations, including straight, or with a "T" or "L". Catwalks, finger piers or similar features may be used for access to boat slips, as long as they meet the size limits above. A pier may not enclose or isolate any part of a waterway.
The number of all watercraft docked at a pier, including boats in a boat lift, is limited to 2 boats for the first 50 feet of the riparian owners shoreline, and no more than 1 additional for each additional full 50 feet of shoreline. In addition to the boat slip allowance listed here, a riparian owner can secure up to 2 personal watercraft for the first 50 feet of the riparian owner’s shoreline frontage and one additional personal watercraft for each additional full 50 feet of shoreline.
Generally, you may place a standard mooring buoy in your riparian zone of interest within 150 feet of the official high-water mark without a permit from DNR.
A riparian may place a properly anchored swimming raft or water trampoline within 200 feet of shore. No permit is needed for a swimming raft or water trampoline as long as the size is no greater than 200 square feet and does not exceed 38-inches in height, or is removed from the water each night. The raft or trampoline must be confined to your riparian zone of interest and may not interfere with public rights in the waterway. Keep it as close to shore as possible to avoid interfering with boat traffic.
Unless you have a DNR permit for a permanent boat shelter, yes it must be removed between December 1 and April 1. Boat hoists and lifts do not have to be removed. Follow this DNR link to see a list of general permanent boat shelter permit requirements and procedures.
Yes. It may not exceed an outside dimension of 14 feet wide by 24 feet with a 1-2.5 foot pitch to from the top of the roof to the eaves.

Here are some frequently asked questions about pier regulations that we thought would provide good information to those new to the lake, and a reminder for the rest of us wondering about lake access when the water is low.