Guess I’ll have to avoid paddling in
Illinois, Texas doesn’t register paddle craft. The Parks and Wildlife floated that one late last year and got beat over the head by more than a few dead fish.
Don’t drop your soap
In IL, they tax you every chance they get.
(Fortunately my boat has out-of-state tags)
Hey Cooldoc…
How’s it going? Usually I recommend a letter of explanation to I.D.N.R. about the handover from one party to another, whether bought used or handed down. I told one fellow to ‘suggest’ he found the kayak at a yard sale, and that worked. I guess it all comes down to who handles it on the state level and just how good/bad a day they may be having. You have to be careful, as the 12 digit serial number does indicate where and when it was made. So when are all you ‘northern’ boys/girls coming down to paddle my neck of the woods?
Guess if you float the Mississippi or
Ohio in a paddle craft and don’t have proof of registration, you need to stay near the opposite side of Illinois.
The boat must be registered
– Last Updated: May-15-06 6:29 AM EST –
no matter where you got it.
To obtain a registration for an untitled kayak or canoe that was a gift or that does not have a statement of origin all you need is a notarized affidavit stating that the boat belongs to you. Or a receipt from the person you bought it from.
They don't care about the personal history of the boat they just want their money.
Just like driving a car with no plate the boat can be confiscated untill proof of ownership is provided. The fine for unregisterd watercraft in PA and Ohio is 50.00 so I would think it's the same in Illinois.
Stickman how's it going? I believe I bought my Magic from you a few years back....Boat still looks better then new. http://www.grovestreet.com/jsp/onepic.jsp?id=294585
NT
I’ve heard the fine in Ohio for paddling a non-registered craft is $90. You said $50. Wonder which is correct? I didn’t see any info about that on the ODNR website but could have missed it. Anybody know for sure?
out-of-state visitors?
I am curious about the exception line:
"Vessels properly registered in another state and using Illinois waters for less than 60 consecutive days
"
Wisconsin does not require registration on canoes or kayaks unless a motor is mounted.
Minnesota does require registration. Including out-of-state tourists. Must confess, I have never had a problem myself. But I do know friends who have had their canoe stopped and inspected for everything, including milfoil.
Wow you are correct Ohio fine for
unregistered watercraft is 100.00
Operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs
First offence…3 mandatory days in jail, 150.00 fine
NT, thanks for checking
I didn’t know it had gone up.
yeah, Donna used to get drunk when…
…it was only a day in jail.
Ashamed of the state of my birth…
and proud to have paddled two fine Illinois streams in a non-registered boat. Live free!
Yeah you gotta love Illinois
Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Alcohol and Drugs (625 ILCS 45/5-16)
Illinois law prohibits operating a yellow kayak while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, bad typing skills, impaired judgment and slow reaction time. Alcohol contributes to about one-third of all yellow kayak accidents nationwide. Read more about the effects and risks of consuming alcohol in Chapter 5.
By operating a yellow kayak on Illinois’ waters, you have given “implied” consent to alcohol and/or drug testing if arrested for operating under the influence. Refusal to submit to testing will result in loss of yellow kayak operating privileges for a period of two years.
Illinois law states that a person is considered to be operating a yellow kayak under the influence of alcohol or drugs if:
The alcohol concentration in his or her blood or breath is 0.08 or more or…
The person is under the influence of alcohol or…
The person is under the influence of any other drug or combination of drugs and/or alcohol to a degree that renders him or her incapable of safely operating the yellow kayak or…
The person has any amount of a drug, substance, or compound in his or her blood or urine resulting from the unlawful use or consumption of cannabis, controlled substance, or intoxicating compound.
Illinois law establishes the following penalties for operating under the influence (OUI):
Those convicted for the first time of OUI may be imprisoned for up to one year, fined up to $2,500, and have yellow kayak operating privileges suspended for up to one year.
Ah,
those were the days! 
Thanks
Thanks for all the feedback regarding registering my kayak in Illinois. Hopefully I’ll be able to meet and paddle with some of you around the Peoria/central IL area. One more question…What about a paddling club in the area?
they can cut you some slack sometimes
I was once pulled over by the boat police. I had the numbers on the port side only. One of their little lackies told me I could, even though page six CLEARLY states that it must be on both (excluding the cool sticker I got for my canoe). They stopped me mid-lake and checked all my stuff right there. But they let me go for it, I think they were scared I would run. Their motor boat had nothing on that 12 foot tank!
I register my boats and I am happy about it. I like to think that if ever stolen, my boats will turn up due to my house number stickers put on the side. I know that Criminals could never get around that sweet system. It is fool proof, like the Buddy system. no one can ever wander off holding another seven year old’s hand.
Liveoutside
I’ve seen the DNR give out many
tickets at one of our popular local launch sites. I wonder if they’re on a quota system like the traffic cops.
Welcome to Central Illinois
Even though I haven’t made it to any of the p-net gatherings, I enjoy reading the posts and I’m sure you will, too. I have participated in several Mackinaw Canoe Club outings. Good group.
Illinois Kayaking
Yes you can go to the DNR website to register your kayak. You will have to send in some papers and you will get stickers to put on your vessel.
No longer need to register
I realize this is an older post but for future help.
https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/boating/Pages/WaterUsageStamps.aspx