Illinois is bordered by numerous states that are rich in natural beauty. Throughout Indiana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri’s state parks and national protected areas, there are natural wonders. Kayaking in Illinois is the ideal water sport for discovering the state’s incredible natural beauty!
Kayaking in Illinois does not require a permit unless it is a motorized kayak. All persons on board a kayak must wear a lifejacket, although a throwable PFD is not required. Blood alcohol levels may not exceed 0.08 percent. A license is not a requirement to operate an unpowered kayak.
One of the most enthralling and captivating ways to explore the natural beauty of an area is by kayaking through it! First, however, equip yourself with the legal and safety requirements before you head off!
Kayaking In Illinois
Illinois offers terrific opportunities for kayaking, and every area is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. However, every kayaking law in Illinois is specific and enables you to be legally covered and safe while kayaking.
Permits are unnecessary for kayaks that move with body strength, but you will require a permit to operate engine-powered vessels.
No persons under ten are permitted to operate a motorized kayak in Illinois.
Kids between 10 and 12 years old can operate a motorized vessel, but only under the supervision of a parent or guardian.
Lights are a necessity for both powered and unpowered kayaks, and they are to be used at all times when visibility is limited or after sunset and before sundown.
As for life jackets, every person on board a kayak must have a life jacket approved by the USCG (United States Coast Guard), which is a type I, II, or III personal flotation device (PFD).
That being said, a Type IV throwable PFD is unnecessary for an unpowered vessel like a canoe or kayak.
The blood-alcohol level of any person onboard a kayak should not exceed 0.08 percent, or they can receive a heavy fine and be jailed for up to one year if they are caught while BUI.
Galena in Illinois is a beautiful kayaking area if the goal is a leisurely outdoor excursion. The scenery along the route is spectacular, boasting numerous wild animals to watch while in their natural habitat!
The Mississippi River carries a lot of historical Native American value and, if you like hiking, has beautiful limestone caverns to explore.
Lake Michigan is for paddlers who enjoy a thrilling challenge! The weather makes this area particularly interesting, with its strong water and wind currents.
Rock River has a long 320-mile (515 km) paddling trail, used by people like Abraham Lincoln! This route is beginner-friendly and is brimming with incredible, natural scenery.
Do You Need To Register Your Kayak In Illinois?
A kayak is not required to be registered in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources considers kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to be unpowered watercraft and free from registration.
All watercraft, including kayaks, canoes, and other vessels propelled by trolling motors, must be registered and titled in Illinois.
Adding an electric or gas-powered trolling motor to your canoe or kayak turns it into a propelled watercraft that must be registered in Illinois.
Registrations in Illinois are good for three years. In Illinois, unpowered vessels no longer require a Water Usage Stamp, and boats under 22-feet (6.7m) are no longer required to have a Certificate of Title.
To operate a motorized watercraft powered by a motor of more than ten horsepower, you must have a valid Boating Safety Certificate if you were born on or after January 1, 1998. A license is not required to operate an unpowered vessel.
Do You Need Lights On Your Kayak In Illinois?
Red and green bow lights are required on any engine-powered vessels under 39 feet (11.8 m). A white stern light viewable 360 degrees for 2-miles (3.2 km) must also be visible for up to 1-mile (1600 m).
Unpowered watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, must carry a lantern or lamp that shines 360 degrees for a radius of 2-miles (3.2 km).
These lights must be turned on when away from the dock between dawn and sunset and during limited visibility. Vessels at anchor between sunset and daybreak must have a white light visible for two miles in all directions.
Are There Sounding Devices Laws To Kayak In Illinois?
Vessels under 65.6-feet (20 m) in length must have a whistle, horn, or other means of making an adequate sound that can be heard up to a one-half mile (800 m) away.
All motorized vessels operating in Illinois state waters must have a mouth, hand, or power-operated whistle. They may also include other devices capable of emitting a two-second or longer blast capable of being heard for a one-half mile (800 m). A whistle fastened to your PFD in a convenient location is the greatest “sounding” device for kayakers and canoeists.
VDS (visual distress signal) devices are needed in federally regulated waterways in Illinois, including Coastal Waters, the Great Lakes, Territorial Seas, and bodies of water that are immediately connected to one of these waters.
Vessels operating in federally restricted waters must have a USCG-approved (United States Coast Guard) VDS.
All vessels must carry night VDS signals when operating between sunset and sunrise regardless of length or kind.
Except for leisure vessels under 16-feet (4.8 m), non-motorized open sails under 26-feet (7.9 m), and manually-propelled watercraft such as canoes and kayaks, all vessels must have day signals.
Are There Age Requirements For Kayaking In Illinois?
If you’re planning on kayaking in Illinois, there are a few essential age-related laws to consider. No person under the age of ten may drive any motorized vessel.
Under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian, children aged 10 to 12 may operate a motorized watercraft.
Persons aged 12 to 17 can only operate a motorized vessel with more than ten horsepower if they have successfully completed the required Boating Safety Course, and have been issued with a Boating Safety Certificate recognized by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
In addition, they can only drive a motorized watercraft if they have fulfilled the following conditions:
- They are accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian
- They are supervised by someone at least 18 years old, designated by a parent or guardian
Do You Need Life Jackets To Kayak In Illinois?
Most Coast Guard laws require all kayaks to have a lifejacket on board (PFD), depending on where you’re going.
Wearing a lifejacket keeps your head above water if the boat has capsized or you’ve fallen overboard. It also adds insulation to your body that helps to fight the shock your body receives from the ice-cold water.
There are some excellent PFDs made exclusively for paddlers. We recommend that you choose one that fits correctly and that you wear it at all times when paddling.
One of the most common reasons paddlers remove their life jackets is that it is difficult to paddle while wearing one.
For this reason, investing in a life jacket created exclusively for kayaking and paddling is worthwhile since they are meant to be as comfortable and unrestrictive as possible while sitting in a kayak or paddling.
Every person on board must have a wearable USCG-approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device. Furthermore:
- PFDs must be in good working order
- They must be the correct size for each individual
- They should be easily accessible
- Unpowered kayaks and canoes do not require a Type IV throwable PFD.
According to Illinois boating legislation, anybody operating a watercraft 16-feet (4.8m) or longer, excluding a kayak or a canoe, must have at least one readily available US Coast Guard approved throwable PFD on board.
In other words, a throwable PFD is not required for your unpowered kayak or canoe.
Is Alcohol Permitted When Kayaking in Illinois?
Operating or allowing your watercraft to be used by anybody while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is banned in Illinois. This rule applies to the following vessels:
- kayaks
- canoes
- paddleboards
- waterskis
- surfboards
The BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) limit in Illinois is 0.08 percent or above.
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or above, or if you’re under the influence of any medication that renders you incapable of operating a watercraft, you’re deemed Operating Under the Influence in Illinois.
You can also be punished and sentenced to prison if you have any quantity of cannabis, a restricted drug, or an intoxicating chemical in your blood or urine.
Receiving a BUI (Boating Under the Influence) in Illinois carries severe legal consequences, more so than in the other states.
- A first offense will cost you $2600 in fines and a year in prison
- A second offense with a previous BUI conviction – a class 4 felony – 3 years in jail, $25 000 fine
- Reckless actions causing bodily injury to another person – a class 4 felony
- Reckless actions causing death – a class 2 felony – 3 – 14 years in prison, $25 000 fine
- BUI conviction with passengers under the age of 16 – minimum fine of $500,
- All offenders are required to take a safe boating course
In the end, Illinois, like the majority of other states, is serious about regulating and implementing its BUI rules. As a result, the safest bet as a watercraft operator is to avoid drinking until you are safely back onshore.
At no point should you plan to operate any vessel while under the influence of any substance.
Safety Tips When Kayaking In Illinois
Kayaking may be a lot of fun, but because boats cannot slow down very quickly, you might rapidly find yourself in a dangerous situation.
You should take every precaution to make sure that you and your family are always safe!
Follow these precautions to make sure that you and your family are safe while kayaking:
Beware Of Heavy Winds When Kayaking
Harsh weather conditions, particularly wind, are just as dangerous in a kayak as they are while you’re driving on the road. If strong winds threaten your kayak, leave the water if you can, or paddle to a safe area.
Understand The Weather When Kayaking
Dress for the water’s temperature and not the atmospheric temperature, especially if you’re out on the river. Hypothermia can develop fast in colder water temperatures.
Planning and checking the weather beforehand and being prepared for any eventuality might assist you in avoiding being caught off guard when things change quickly and you’re taken by surprise!
Wear Warm, Protective Clothing When You Kayak
If you’re going to paddle in chilly water, you should invest in a wet suit or dry suit to keep you warm and comfortable. A long-sleeve shirt or UV-protective top can provide sun protection and prevent sunburn or sunstroke in hotter weather.
It’s crucial to double-check the weather and tides before heading out with your kayak.
Familiarize Yourself With The Region
Researching the region you’ll be kayaking in might be quite beneficial; it can mean avoiding various aquatic obstacles or preparing for the unavoidable. If possible, consult the local paddlers and tour operators in the area to learn more about the area you will be paddling through.
Prepare For Kayaking Emergencies
Have a marine radio, a cellphone in a waterproof casing (though coverage may be spotty), a personal locating beacon, fire extinguishers, a sounding device, or distress flags on hand in case of an emergency.
A whistle or a signal mirror is preferable to nothing when it comes to emergency equipment, but make sure that you have basic emergency equipment on board.
When kayaking, make sure you’re with a companion, preferably someone who has kayaked before.
Boats should invest in a marine radio to speak directly with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the US Coast Guard, and nearby boats.
What Are Good Kayaking Spots In Illinois?
Galena, Illinois. A popular Midwest getaway for outdoor excursions and peaceful leisure. Float down the Galena River in a kayak! The river is 10 miles (16 km) long, so you may choose to kayak the full length or just a portion of it.
Along the route, you’ll see various birds, including Great Blue Herons, Bald Eagles, and songbirds. Romantic footbridges, the Galena Lock and Dam ruins, and an ancient railroad bridge are other attractions in this area.
Mississippi River, Illinois. The Mississippi River, which flows through ten states, is one of America’s most significant and historic rivers. We propose visiting the Mississippi Palisades State Park in Illinois, rich in Native American history and natural beauty.
The park at the Mississippi and Apple rivers’ junction is full of high cliffs, limestone caverns, hiking trails, and breathtaking vistas.
Fishing is especially popular in the peaceful backwaters, which are filled with catfish and carp, so if you don’t feel like a day kayaking on the water, relax and catch a fish!
Lake Michigan, Illinois. Lake Michigan may be a terrific spot to paddle for experienced kayakers who are used to dealing with currents, winds, and boat traffic.
Paddlers may explore the quieter Jackson Park lagoon, kayak along the breakwater to the yacht club port, or continue across the lake to an unbelievable variety of beaches by launching from one of Chicago’s many access sites.
Many kayakers choose this route because of the incredible water, views of the city and natural landscapes, and opportunities to visit smaller, more secluded beaches.
Rock River, Illinois. The Rock River National Water Trail stretches 320-miles (515 km) from Wisconsin’s headwaters to Illinois’ Mississippi River.
Individuals who traverse the whole length of the path will have their name posted up on the Rock River Wall Of Fame and awarded the Rock River Trail patch and 320-mile (515 km) Award rocker patch.
Conclusion
When planning a kayaking trip in Illinois, ensure the best trip possible by considering all the necessary permits, titles, alcohol restrictions, and the area you will be kayaking in for the best experience.
