Lake Conroe covers 21,000 acres and sees thousands of boats every summer weekend. The San Jacinto River Authority manages the lake, and Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office runs one of the most active marine patrols in Texas. These are not suggestions. These are the actual rules that keep everyone safe on the water.
Texas Boats & Outdoors, your local stop for boats for sale and certified services, is located right here in Willis, less than 10 minutes from the lake. We see boats come in for service after accidents that could have been avoided. We also help people get their boats ready for the season with certified repairs and maintenance. This guide covers what you need to know before you launch.
Who Needs a Boater Education Card
Texas requires a boater education card for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993. This applies if you operate:
- Any motorboat over 15 horsepower
- Any personal watercraft (jet ski)
- Any sailboat over 14 feet
You have to be at least 13 years old to take the course. Kids under 13 can operate a boat if an adult (18 or older) is on board and legally able to take over. The course costs around $30-45 online through Texas Parks & Wildlife approved providers. You get a temporary certificate right away and the permanent card shows up in about 2 weeks. This card is good for life and works in all 50 states. If you are visiting from another state and have a boater education card from your home state, Texas accepts it as long as the course was NASBLA-approved.
Life Jacket Requirements
Every boat on Lake Conroe must carry one Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person on board. Boats 16 feet or longer also need one throwable Type IV device like a ring buoy or cushion. Canoes and kayaks are exempt from the throwable requirement but still need one wearable jacket per person.
Children under 13 must wear a life jacket at all times on boats under 26 feet while the boat is moving. This includes drifting. The only exception is if the child is below deck in an enclosed cabin. The life jacket has to fit properly. Do not buy an adult-sized jacket for a kid to grow into.
Boating While Intoxicated
The legal limit is 0.08% blood alcohol content, same as driving a car. Open containers are legal on boats in Texas, but the operator is still subject to BWI laws. A first conviction carries a fine up to $2,000 and jail time up to 180 days. Lake Conroe sees increased patrols during holiday weekends and summer months.
Alcohol is the leading factor in fatal boating accidents. The Coast Guard reports that 79% of boating deaths involve drowning, and 86% of those victims were not wearing life jackets. Drinking impairs your balance, reaction time, and judgment on the water even more than on land.
Speed and Wake Rules
Lake Conroe does not have a posted speed limit during the day. You are required to operate at a safe speed based on conditions. Texas Parks & Wildlife can cite you for careless or reckless operation if you are going too fast for the situation.
At night (30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise), boats cannot exceed 25 mph. This rule exists because boat lights blend with shore lights after dark, making it hard to judge distance and speed.
You must slow to idle speed (headway speed with no wake) within 50 feet of:
- Other boats
- Docks and piers
- Swimmers
- Shore
- Designated no-wake zones
Personal watercraft cannot operate within 50 feet of another PWC, boat, person, or object unless traveling at headway speed. Jumping the wake of another vessel in a reckless or unnecessarily close manner is illegal.
Personal Watercraft Rules
PWCs have additional restrictions beyond regular boats:
- Cannot operate between sunset and sunrise
- Operator and all passengers must wear life jackets
- Kids under 13 cannot operate a PWC unless an adult (18+) is on board
- Cannot operate in circles around boats with people fishing or engaged in other activities
PWC operators born on or after September 1, 1993 must have a boater education card and be at least 13 years old.
Required Safety Equipment
Every boat on Lake Conroe must have:
- One Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person (properly sized and in good condition)
- One throwable flotation device (boats 16 feet and longer, excluding canoes/kayaks)
- Fire extinguisher (boats with enclosed engine compartments or fuel tanks)
- Sound-producing device (horn or whistle)
- Navigation lights (for operation between sunset and sunrise)
Navigation lights are specific. You need a green light on the starboard (right) side, a red light on the port (left) side, and white lights on the masthead and stern. Only Coast Guard-approved navigation lights are legal. Rope lights, underwater lights, and decorative LEDs violate navigation rules and can get you cited.
Lake-Specific Rules
The San Jacinto River Authority enforces additional rules for Lake Conroe:
- No glass containers anywhere on lake property, including islands
- Noise limit of 86 decibels within 100 feet of land-shore facilities
- No hunting except limited waterfowl hunting in designated areas
- Fishing is allowed throughout the lake
- No littering or dumping in the water
Accident Reporting
If you are involved in a boating accident on Lake Conroe, you must:
- Stop and provide assistance to anyone injured.
- Give your name, address, and boat information to injured parties or property owners.
- Report the accident immediately if someone dies, disappears, or requires medical attention beyond first aid, or if property damage exceeds $2,000.
- Failure to report a reportable accident is a violation and can result in fines and penalties.
Is Your Boat Ready for the Lake
Lake Conroe is heavily patrolled. Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 runs regular safety checks during peak season. Officers check for life jackets, fire extinguishers, registration, and proper lighting. Most violations result in warnings if you fix the issue quickly, but repeat offenders or serious violations get tickets. Before you launch, run through a quick safety check. Make sure your registration is current and displayed. Verify you have enough life jackets and that they fit. Check your navigation lights if you plan to stay out past sunset. Confirm your fire extinguisher is charged and accessible.
Texas Boats & Outdoors handles boat service and repairs at our Willis location. We work on Mercury, Yamaha, and Suzuki motors. If your boat needs maintenance before the season starts, bring it by. We also carry new Veranda pontoons and a selection of quality used boats for sale if you are looking to upgrade. Call us at (936) 890-1500 or stop by 14599 FM 1097 Road West. Our service and parts department is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
