4 Unwritten Rules of Boating on North Dakota’s Missouri River

Some of us already have our fishing boats in the water. The rest of us, are impatiently waiting for it to get just a tad bit warmer, so we can get our pontoons in the water. If you've ever been on the Missouri River during the summer months, you know there are unwritten rules you have to follow that are almost as important as the written rules.

I myself, haven't been on the river a lot, so I consulted some friends, and here's what they came up with.

1. Chill on the Music

The sandbar isn't your own personal Coachella music festival. Don't blast your music so loud on the sandbars that other people can't hear their music, or themselves think.

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2. Wave

I don't know why this is a thing in North Dakota, but it's definitely an unofficial rule. -It's gotta be a North Dakota nice thing. Every time you pass another boat, at least one person has to wave from your boat to the other.

3. The Community Cooler

Some believe once the cooler is on the boat, it's community property. This feels fair. On the river, we all share.

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4. The Ramp is Not a Parking Spot

Launch your boat and move. Drop people off and go. It's not a place to block while everyone messes around on their phones.

There you have it. It's mostly about etiquette. Are you guilty of doing any of these things? Maybe you have some of your own unwritten rules to share. Tell me in the app.