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Boaters reminded about safety tips as cold-water season begins

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources officials urge boaters to wear foam life jackets as water temperatures drop below 70 degrees, with Lisa Dugan, boat and safety coordinator, warning that inflatable jackets may malfunction in cold water.
Statistically, one-third of boating fatalities on Minnesota lakes occur in cold water from October through late spring, and numbers show that 90% of boating fatality victims were not wearing a life jacket, according to Dugan.
Adam Block, DNR boating law administrator, said now is a great time to be on the water, whether fishing, hunting, or enjoying autumn scenery, but "its critical to take your safety seriously and make it your top priority no matter the season."
Because help is harder to find in remote areas during this season, Dugan advises bringing a buddy, saying "don't go out alone. Bring a buddy and make sure you have all of your safety gear with you."
Officials are developing improved hazard mapping to identify dangerous areas on lakes and rivers; while water fatalities dropped to 32 in 2025, Minnesota has recorded seven deaths so far this year.

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