​​​​​Lake Bloomington Association​

Boating at Lake Bloomington

Recreational boating is permitted at Lake Bloomington. The boat ramp is located in Hubbard Park and can be reached by taking County Road 1750 East to Park View Lane. Turn East on Park View which will take you directly to the boat ramp and parking.


Boaters must comply with the following provisions:

  • All boats must have a current State and City of Bloomington License. To obtain a City of Bloomington Boat License, all applicants are required to show proof of watercraft liability insurance, in the amount of at least $100,000, and evidence of current State Registration.
  • You can purchase a license from the Lake Patrol office located near Davis Lodge, or they may be purchased through the mail by downloading the Application HEREand following the instructions on the bottom of the form. A copy of this application will then serve as a temporary license. A city of Bloomington License sticker will be mailed to you. City of Bloomington Licenses are also available by using a self registration box located at the Lake Bloomington Park Office next to Davis Lodge. Click HERE for the State of Illinois Boat License.
  • Boats operating on the Lake must carry all State required equipment - Personal Flotation Devices for each passenger, a fire extinguisher, whistle or horn, etc. -- and obey all State of Illinois regulations.
  • Maximum 40 horsepower limit.
  • Maximum speed of 25 mph.
  • All boats must obey all posted NO WAKE areas. The entire lake is NO WAKE from 1/2 hour after sunset until 7 AM. A wake is defined as movement of water created by a boat underway that is great enough to disturb a boat at rest. More simply put, if you are moving fast enough that the wave coming from your boat makes another boat in the area bounce or move, you are going too fast and are violating the NO WAKE area. At no time can your speed in a NO WAKE area exceed 5 mph. Please be aware of the NO WAKE areas and do not speed through them.
  • Racing is prohibited.
  • During skiing hours (noon - 7 PM), all boats operating in the area open to skiing shall operating in a counter clockwise pattern and shall make all turns counter clockwise. See skiing below.
  • All motorized boats must yield to any sail-powered or muscle-powered craft.
  • All passengers must be properly seated when underway. No on should be outside of the gated area of the boat or standing.
  • All passengers under the age of 13 must wear approved Personal Flotation Devices while the boat is underway.
  • Operating a boat while UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS IS PROHIBITED.
  • Careless or reckless operation of any type will not be tolerated. 
  • No jet skis, jet-propelled, or air driven craft of any type area allowed.
  • Swimming from boats is prohibited


NEW LAW:

Illinois Senate Bill 2731 New Skier Tow Rules: The Bill mandates that the operator of any watercraft that is towing a person, such as a water skier or tuber, must display a bright orange flag measuring not less than 12 inches per side. The flag must be displayed from the time the person to be towed leaves the boat until that person returns to the boat at the conclusion of the activity.


Skiing at Lake Bloomington (INCLUDES TUBING OR RELATED ACTIVITIES)

  • Skiing is allowed from noon to 7 PM only. 
  • Skiers must wear approved jacket type Personal Flotation Devices.
  • At least two people qualified to operate the boat must be aboard while pulling a skier. One must act as an observer.
  • Skiing within 100 feet of any dock, shore, raft, buoy or other watercraft is PROHIBITED.
  • Boats may pull only one person at a time.
  • Skiers must start from the water, not from the shore or docks.
  • Only the person actually skiing or preparing to ski shall be in the water at any time.


Davis Lodge

Please see the FAQ's re: renting Davis Lodge. Of note, although you can rent the facility until Midnight, QUIET HOURS BEGIN at 10 PM. Please be courteous to the local residents and honor this rule!