Square Lake (MN): Motor & Boating Rules
Washington County · near Stillwater · managed by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Gas outboard: YES
- Electric trolling: YES
- PWC / jet ski: ZONED
Quick answer
Square Lake splits into zones with different motor rules. Restricted 5-mph zone rings the lake from shore to about the 40-foot depth contour (marked by buoys); the central open-speed zone allows unlimited speed with mandatory counterclockwise travel only during posted hours. Square Lake in MN is subject to motor and speed restrictions in designated zones under Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulations (verified July 14, 2026). The written boundaries control, not the buoys. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Rules at a glance
| Restriction class | Zoned Restrictions |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | n/a |
| Electric trolling motors | YES |
| Gas outboards | YES |
| PWC / jet skis | ZONED |
| Wake rule | 5 mph maximum at all times in the restricted speed zone between the shoreline and roughly the 40-foot depth contour |
| Hours rule | open (unlimited) speed in the center zone only Mon-Fri noon-6 p.m. and weekends/holidays noon-4 p.m.; 5 mph at all other times |
| Zones | Restricted 5-mph zone rings the lake from shore to about the 40-foot depth contour (marked by buoys); the central open-speed zone allows unlimited speed with mandatory counterclockwise travel only during posted hours |
| Managing body | State department of natural resources: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources |
| Official source | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — revisor.mn.gov |
| Last verified |
What this means in practice
Zoned lakes split the surface: part of Square Lake carries a restriction and part runs under standard rules. On this lake: Restricted 5-mph zone rings the lake from shore to about the 40-foot depth contour (marked by buoys); the central open-speed zone allows unlimited speed with mandatory counterclockwise travel only during posted hours. Buoys mark the lines in season, but buoys drift and get pulled — the written boundary wins.
Before you commit to a route on Square Lake, read the zone description in the official document linked under Sources, and treat unposted areas conservatively. Enforcement applies the written boundaries, not your GPS track.
Worth knowing about Square Lake: State-adopted DNR rule (Minnesota Rules 6110.4000), not a local ordinance; violation is a misdemeanor. Also listed in the DNR statewide restriction summary PDF.
Common mistakes on Zoned water
Anchoring on the line. Sitting astride a zone boundary invites questions even when you're technically legal. Fish clearly inside one zone or the other.
Extrapolating from last year. Zone boundaries get amended more often than whole-lake rules. Our verification date below tells you how fresh this summary is.
Before you launch — verify
- Official rules: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Unsure about a detail? Call the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources district office that covers Washington County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Square Lake?
Yes. Gasoline outboards are allowed on Square Lake. Wake rule: 5 mph maximum at all times in the restricted speed zone between the shoreline and roughly the 40-foot depth contour. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Square Lake?
Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Square Lake. A transom-mount motor in the 30–55 lb thrust range with a deep-cycle battery is the typical setup for this class of water.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Square Lake?
Only in designated zones or hours on Square Lake. Check the zone details in the official source before riding.
Who enforces boating rules on Square Lake?
The rules summarized here come from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (state department of natural resources), with possible additional ordinances from Washington County or local municipalities. Any peace officer can cite violations, so treat posted rules as enforceable regardless of who is watching.
Where do I verify the current rules for Square Lake?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- Administrative code: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources — revisor.mn.gov
- Managing agency: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Last verified against the source: