 Water Attractions
Otter Tail County is proud to be a tourist destination and host to many summer events and celebrations; from amateur and professional fishing tournaments to the 4th of July boat parades and lakeside fireworks displays. The area is home to numerous resorts, campgrounds, lakeside restaurants, and two State Parks. Many of our public waters offer excellent seasonal boating, fishing, and swimming recreational opportunities. Along with these water attractions, several rivers not only offer excellent fishing but have also come to be considered leisurely and peaceful tubing attractions.
Please visit area Chambers of Commerce for visitor information and many more tourist attractions, lodging, resorts, and events.
Water Activity Services
By directive of Minnesota State Statute Chapter 86B and Department of Natural Resources Boat and Water Safety Rules Chapter 6110, the Sheriff is tasked with regulating and maintaining the use of all public waters within Otter Tail County. To accomplish this, the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office issues permits for water related activities including special events and temporary lake structures. This permitting process is established to ensure that all water related activities will not endanger the general boating public and will minimally impact neighboring lakeshore residents and the natural resources of the lake’s environment.
Water Patrol Deputies also inspect rental, lease, charter, and for-hire watercraft. These inspections are conducted to ensure that these watercraft are sea-worthy and have required and dependable safety equipment.
This page provides links to the requirements, guidelines, and applicable permits for these water related activities.
Special Event Permits
If you are holding or sponsoring an event that will originate, occur, or complete on or directly adjacent to any lake, river, or waterway within Otter Tail County, you are required by Minnesota State Statute 86B.121 to have a Sheriff’s permit prior to the event. This permit is valid for the event specified in the permit application only. Any change to date, location, etc. requires submission of a new application. Examples of activities that require a permit are: Fishing Tournaments (both winter and summer); Boat races, shows, parades; Water Ski, Wakeboard, or Jet Ski courses; Water Ski or Wakeboard jumps; Swimming portion of Triathlons; Snowmobile radar runs and vehicle ice racing.
The Sheriff’s Office permitting process does not exempt fishing tournament and snowmobile radar run organizers from obtaining an application and permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
 Special Event Permit Guide
Special Event Permit Application
Temporary Structure Permits
If you plan on placing a structure in a lake, river or waterway (other than a dock or boat lift) within Otter Tail County for a period of time greater than one day (sunrise to sunset), you are required to first obtain a Temporary Structure Permit issued by the Sheriff’s Office. Some permits are valid until the structure is sold, moved or no longer needed, some are renewed annually, please note the specific regulations of each permit.
The most common types of structures that require a permit are:
Swim/Dive rafts, Water trampolines and other floating play stations
Designated swim areas
Public swim areas
Mooring buoys
Water ski, wake board courses.
Temporary Structure Application
You may click on each structure listed above to see specific regulations for the structure, or you may download the complete permit packet, by clicking:
Temporary Structure Permit Packet
Resorts, Charter Boat and Boat Rental Companies
If you rent or lease boats, personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks or provide charter boat rides or cruises within Otter Tail County, your watercraft must be annually inspected by Water Patrol Deputies before you can legally rent, lease or charter your watercraft.
Please review the attached Rental Watercraft Guideline to ensure your watercraft(s) are properly equipped prior to and prepared for inspection. To schedule a Water Patrol Deputy to inspect your watercraft, please contact the Water Patrol by calling 218-367-6300 or 218-998-8555.
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