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Rent a Boat in Detroit, MI

The Detroit boating scene offers everything a Great Lakes cruiser could want: scenic runs past the downtown skyline and Ambassador Bridge, easy access to the wide-open water of Lake St. Clair, quiet coves around Belle Isle for swimming and picnics, plus world-class walleye and muskie fishing right in the Detroit River.

What to know

The most popular boat rental styles in Detroit include:

  • Pontoons and double-deckers for sandbar parties in Little Muscamoot Bay, family cruises off Belle Isle, and relaxed tubing days on Lake St. Clair.
  • Center consoles and walk-arounds for spring walleye jigging in the river, summer trolling for muskie or bass on the lake, and quick hops to waterfront restaurants along the Nautical Mile.

If you’re unfamiliar with the river’s strong current, commercial freighter traffic, or shallow flats on Lake St. Clair, consider booking a rental with a local captain who can handle the navigation and craft the perfect itinerary for your crew.

Safety regulations

  • Boating License/Education Rules: Anyone operating a powerboat born after June 30, 1996 must carry a Michigan Boating Safety Certificate. For personal watercraft (Jet Skis), operators born after December 31, 1978 must be certified and at least 16 years old.
  • Life Jacket Requirements: Children under 13 must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket while underway on any vessel.
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