Canoe registration required?

[flatlander44]

I live in KS and do not have to register/have a license for my canoe. However, I will be doing some paddling on rivers in MO and AR.

In the past I've noticed stickers and such on canoes and kayaks that led me to believe these states require some sort of license. As a visitor from KS, do I need to get some permit or something?

If so, what agency do I contact?

Thanks!

[Eric Esche]

How about an "I do not know entirely for sure either, but here is who to call" answer?

I picked up an "Arkansas Handbook of Boating Laws and Responsibilities" at Lewis and Clark In Springdale this week for free - (Thank you Sparkie and Jimbo for stocking them) and it is mostly for motorized water craft, so you have to "read around things". It does have a lot of contact numbers which I have added at the bottom of this post, along with websites from my favorites list.

What I "think" is that here in Arkansas, you do not have to have any registration unless you have a motor of some type - gas, electric, OR SAIL. Yep - in Arkansas, law defines a motorboat as any vessel that is propelled by sail or machinery, even if they are not in use. And this applies to out of stater's as well, unless YOUR state requires registration.

Other things handy to know here -If your vessel is over 17' (self powered or not), you have to have a USCG throwable floatation device (Class IV Ring or square seat pad) in addition to your own PFD. Everyone must have a USCG PFD Class III or less in their possession, and wear it if age 12 or under. Remember - no glass (other than prescription eyeglasses), carry a mesh bag for trash, all beverages must be in a floatie of some type, and if you carry a cooler, it must be secured from openning in case you turn over. And carry and use lights if after dark.

Contact numbers/etc

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 1-800-364-4263 or http://www.agfc.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Missouri State Water Patrol 1-573-751-3333
http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWe ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here are a few more states just in case you travel elsewhere

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 1-800-256-2749
or 225-765-2984
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mississippi Department of Marne Resources 1-228-374-5000

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks 1-800-354-5033
or 601-432-2400
http://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oklahoma Highway Patrol -Troop W 1-918-847-2001
http://www.boat-ed.com/ok/handbook/pdf_index.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.dps.state.ok.us/lp/lpe.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency 1-615-781-6682
http://www.tn.gov/twra/contact.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Texas Parks and Wildlife 1-800-792-1112
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope this is of some help.

Eric Esche

[Deuce]

As usual, Eric is spot on. No registration required for human powered boats.

[flatlander44]

Thanks for the information. Now I'm wondering if the canoes I saw with numbers were part of a livery or something. Doesn't matter. I'm just glad I don't have to buy any license for my canoe.

Eric,

I appreciate the contact numbers and the mandatory gear requirements. I'm figuring out how I want to outfit my boat and this helps.

[Crane]

The container or bag for waste does not have to be mesh... it just has to be suitable for containing trash and capable of being securely closed. Thus, a dry-bag will do. Crane