Lake Conduct Rules for the Safe and Co-operative use of
Big Silver Lake, Washtenaw and Livingston Counties
No Wake Times:
Per DNR Watercraft Rules, Laws, Enforcement - Special Local Watercraft Controls (Washtenaw and Livingston Counties): https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79772_79773_83491---,00.html
BIG SILVER LAKE - R281.781.1 - Hours for high-speed boating and water skiing.
1. On the waters of Big Silver lake, township of Dexter, county of Washtenaw, no operator of any motorboat shall, during the period from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. of the following day:
(a) Operate such motorboat at high speed.
(b) Have in tow, or shall otherwise assist in the propulsion of, a person on water skis, water sled, surfboard, or other similar contrivance. (See R281.747.2 for regulation covering the part of this lake lying in Livingston county.)
No Wake 24/7: The bay by the State Park fishing dock (beginning at the State Park Point, across to the first home).
State of Michigan Boating Laws: http://www.boat-ed.com/michigan/studyGuide/10102301
Persons operating any type of boat shall maintain a distance of 200 feet from the shoreline and a distance of 100 feet from any raft, swimming, or boat at anchor, except when proceeding at a “slow, no wake speed” or is engaged in picking up or dropping of towed persons. Personal watercraft (jet skis) have a 150’ distance requirement from other boats.
All boats shall have adequate lights on after dusk; see state law
There shall always be two persons in the boat when towing any person
Boats shall travel in a counter-clockwise direction at all times.
New law 2019 - https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79119_79144---,00.html
Michigan Dog Law Act 339 of 1919 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-Act-339-of-1919
Lake Association Rules
All power boats of more than 10 horsepower shall be restricted to property owners only.
No outside-owned boats over 10 horsepower shall be allowed entry on the lake, not even over property owners’ land or easements.
Property owners may be held legally liable for injuries caused by renters’ use of boats
Cross-lake and long distance swimmers shall at all times be accompanied by a boat, raft or other life-saving device.
Property owners with a shallow shoreline may anchor a small buoy or buoys as a guide to boats and skiers.
Invasive Species Protection. From Michigan.gov/dnr
Clean boats, trailers, and other equipment thoroughly between launching to keep from transporting undesirable fish pathogens and organisms from one water body to another. Take special care to clean fishing equipment when you are done fishing. A light bleach solution is an excellent disinfectant for cleaning your equipment.
Allow boats, trailers and other equipment to fully dry for 4 to 6 hours in the sun before launching.
Do not move fish or fish parts from one body of water to another.
Only purchase live bait from a retailer.
Do not release live bait into any water body.
The laws and rules are for the protection and enjoyment of all at the lake.
Local and State Ordinances
Local Emergency Management
Contact us: silver.lake.property.owners@gmail.com
Link to printable pdf of Rules and Ordinances http://bit.ly/SilverLakeRULES