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Minnesota Life Jacket Rules (2026)

Conditional: Minnesota requires a life jacket be worn by children less than 10 years of age when aboard a watercraft that is underway (not tied at a dock or permanent mooring).

ConditionalVerified Jul 7, 2026

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Official source: dnr.state.mn.us →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Life Jacket Rules in states bordering Minnesota

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IowaConditional
Under Iowa law, any child under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on a vessel, including canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: iowadnr.gov · Full Iowa rule →
North DakotaConditional
North Dakota requires all persons 10 years of age or younger to wear a Coast Guard-approved wearable PFD on any vessel less than 27 feet while it is in operation (N.D.C.C. 20.1-13-20).
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: ndlegis.gov · Full North Dakota rule →
South DakotaConditional
South Dakota requires each child under 7 years old to wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD whenever the boat operates above no-wake speed, unless in a cabin or below deck.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: rules.sd.gov · Full South Dakota rule →
WisconsinConditional
Federal law (enforced in Wisconsin) requires children under 13 to wear a USCG-approved life jacket while underway in an open vessel.
Verified Jul 7, 2026 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov · Full Wisconsin rule →

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