All watercraft used, kept or stored on Lake Springfield or its marginal lands must be registered and licensed in accordance with both City of Springfield and State of Illinois requirements.
Licenses are valid from April 1 through March 31 of the following year and must be renewed annually. If you sell your boat/craft prior to the license expiration, that license shall be considered
null and void and the new owner will be required to re-register the boat before it can be used on the lake again.
You can register and license your boat or craft for use on Lake Springfield via
- Online Registration & Payment
- Print & Mail Registration
Return this form with your check or money order made payable to:
CWLP Boat Registration and mail to:
CWLP Watercraft Registration,
PO Box 3560
Springfield, IL 62708-3560
DO NOT send your registration and payment with your CWLP utility bill payment.
- Lindsay Bridge Boat Licensing Station:
Located at the east end of Vachel Lindsay Bridge, off Long Bay Drive. The Licensing Station is planned to be open Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. However, due to weather and staffing limitations, it is best to call ahead before coming to the station. The phone number is 217.786.4075. (For licensing needs during the off-season, call 217.757.8600.)
- Lake Springfield Marina:
Located at #17 Waters Edge Boulevard. Call ahead at 217.483.3625 for dates and times when licenses will be issued.
Lake Springfield Marina Website
- The Boat Dock (Watercraft sales and services center):
Located at 4600 Rising Moon Road. Registers boats and conducts safety inspections. Call ahead at 217.793.7300 for dates and times when licenses will be issued.
The Boat Dock Website
To register your boat/craft for use on Lake Springfield, you must:
- Have a valid boat license from the State of Illinois or be able to show proof that such a license has been applied for
- Verify your current address by showing a valid driver's license or other photo ID
- Complete an application detailing the length of your boat/craft and the horsepower rating of any motor or engine
Please allow 1 to 2 weeks for registration processing. When your license is granted, you will be issued an official registration number plate or marker, which must be conspicuously and uniformly displayed on the boat. Licenses will be granted according to the boat/craft's classification. The license fee is based, in part, on the boat's class.
Types of Boat licenses:
- Class A:
For watercraft including canoes, sailboats and any other boats/craft that are not equipped with or propelled by a motor engine.
- Class B:
For watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated 25 horsepower or less for each motor.
- Class C:
For watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated above 25 horsepower and not more than 74 horsepower for each motor.
- Class D:
For watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated above 74 horsepower and not more than 100 horsepower for each motor.
- Class E:
For watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated more than 100 horsepower for each motor.
- Class P1:
For a special permit, which may be issued by the general manager allowing any watercraft to be used on the reservoir for a period not exceeding 24 hours from time of issue. The number of special permits shall be restricted to two permits per year per watercraft for each such 24-hour period. This permit is mandatory unless the person with the watercraft obtains a yearly permit.
- Class P2:
For a special permit, which may be issued by the general manager allowing any watercraft to be used on the reservoir for a period not exceeding 60 hours from time of issue. The number of special permits shall be restricted to two permits per year per watercraft for each such 60-hour period. This permit is mandatory unless the person with the watercraft obtains a yearly permit.
For additional information about Lake Springfield boat registration and licensing, call the Watercraft Registration Office at 217.786.4075 or the CWLP Security Headquarters at 217.757.8600.
For information on state watercraft registration regulations, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources by calling 217.782.2138 or by visiting the DNR website below.
Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources