Living in or around Peru, you do not have to go far to find a good spot to take the boat out. Whether you’re cruising along the Illinois River, spending a laid-back afternoon near Starved Rock, or heading out to one of the nearby lakes, boating is a summer tradition around here.

And with warm weather comes the same question: “Do I need a boating license in Illinois?”

Since boating accidents are more common on our stretch of the river than people realize, a misunderstanding of the rules can turn a relaxed day on the water into a dangerous boating situation in a matter of minutes. Let’s break it all down for boaters right here in the Illinois Valley.