Boating & Watercraft

Learn about Loch Lomond boat rules and regulations.

Boats & Watercraft

For more than fifty years, our lake has offered fun, relaxation, and great memories for all. Boating and paddling are one of the key activities on Loch Lomond, and the number of watercraft on our lake has grown to several hundred vessels of all kinds. Storage of these boats is currently almost evenly split—about half stored on the shorelines of lakefront homes and the remainder on the North and South Beaches.

Boat Stickers & Pricing

The LLPOA requires watercraft to display an LLPOA registration sticker for usage or storage at LLPOA beaches. These stickers allow the LLPOA to track the number of watercraft in use, identify lost or stolen watercraft, and verify proper storage. Monies raised from the usage and storage fees will go toward updating boat launches, making improvements to the storage areas, fish stocking and preserving lake ecology.

Boat stickers must be displayed on the back right of your boat and be visible when using your boat on Loch Lomond. The annual season runs March 15 through March 14 of following year, and the sticker is good for the entire season.

If you need a boat usage or storage sticker, please contact the LLPOA and we will be more than happy to help you in getting your boat in compliance.

Boat registration & storage application form

Electric power watercraft rules & application

Boat Usage Rules & Regulations

Per the LLPOA bylaws and Declaration:

A perpetual easement in, upon, over and across the Lake in favor of the Owners from time to time of any and all lots in the Subdivision and the owners from time to time of the Loch Lomond Property Owners Association Acreage, or of any lot or tract into which the Loch Lomond Property Owners Association Acreage, or any part thereof, shall be subdivided or resubdivided by the undersigned, or its successors or assigns, for the purpose of skating, bathing, fishing and boating (other than in motor boats or motorized vehicles of any description which shall only be permitted with prior written Board consent (or for emergency purposes) but not including the purpose of hunting.

The lake is restricted to sailboats and sailboards, paddleboards, canoes, rowboats, paddle boats, small pontoon boats, and similar water craft.
Electric powered watercraft are allowed through permit application only
No gas motors are allowed at any time, except for service or emergency boats.
Iceboats that are sail operated may be used when the lake is frozen.
Snowmobiles or motorized ATVs are not allowed on the frozen lake.

Boat Storage & Regulations

All boats stored and used by members in good standing must display a current calendar year boat usage and storage sticker.
Boat stickers are to be displayed on the front right of boat, and are to be made visible while boat is in use and stored at all times.
All boats must be stored in the identified boat storage areas, in an open space, and stored upside down to prevent water collection after every use.
All boats must be locked when stored using a chain or cable with proper lock.
No boats are allowed to be store on the shoreline, swimming area, or in the waters of the beach at any time.
If one person cannot launch or remove the boat you wish to store it cannot be stored at our beaches. One person should be able to lift, turnover, and lock up their boat by themselves.

Full boat storage rules & regulations

Illinois Watercraft Registration

In Illinois, you must have an Illinois Certificate of Number (registration) and expiration decals to operate a vessel legally on public waters, with the exception of a few types of watercraft. If your vessel requires registration, it is illegal to operate it unless it is registered and numbered.

If your vessel requires a water usage stamp, they are available at local vendors for $6.00 per stamp for the first three stamps. Any person who purchases more than three stamps receives each subsequent stamp for $3.00 each per calendar year. The stamps must be purchased at the same time in order to receive the discount.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (ILDNR) has provided a search tool on their website that allows you to enter your county or city in order to find locations where you can purchase a water usage stamp.

As of June 1, 2018, non-powered watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, kite boards, paddle boards, row boats, and paddle boats no longer need to be titled/registered with the State of Illinois.

For more information, visit the ILDNR website.

Non-compliant Boats

Boats without proper usage or storage stickers after May 1 will be considered non-compliant, and the LLPOA boat committee will take action to bring boats into compliance or remove them from storage areas.

Donate Your Boat to the LLPOA

If you no longer want to keep your boat, and want to donate your boat to the LLPOA, please contact the LLPOA for more information.