Comment from CO
I got this from a CO:

Mr. Anthony,

The short answer to your question is, false. Below I have cited the state law on operating a motorboat within 200 ft. of a shoreline. Keep in mind this only applies to lakes or a channel that is at least 500 ft. in width. So, for our area, this would not apply to Lake Shafer or Lake Freeman. Also included below is the administrative code requirements on placing buoys on public waters.

It appears your received the information from an individual’s website or blog. I would be cautious in believing the information you receive pertaining to laws and regulations from a website other than that of an “official website.” Hope this helps.

Below is the state law on operating near the shoreline on lakes.
C 14-15-3-17 Minimum distance from shore lines
Sec. 17.
(a) A person operating a motorboat may not approach or pass within two hundred (200) feet of the shore line of a lake or channel of the lake at a place or point where the lake or channel is at least five hundred (500) feet in width, except for the purpose of trolling or for the purpose of approaching or leaving a dock, pier, or wharf or the shore of the lake or channel.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), a person operating a motorboat may not approach or pass within two hundred (200) feet of the shore line of a lake or channel of the lake at a speed greater than idle speed.

(c) This subsection applies to lakes formed by hydroelectric dams in a county having a population of:
(1) more than twenty-four thousand five hundred (24,500) but less than twenty-five thousand (25,000); or
(2) more than twenty thousand (20,000) but less than twenty thousand five hundred (20,500).
A person operating a motorboat may not approach or pass within fifty (50) feet of the shore line at a speed greater than idle speed. However, on tributaries of lakes described in this subsection that are formed by hydroelectric dams, a person operating a motor boat may not approach or pass within two hundred (200) feet of the shore line of the tributary at a speed greater than idle speed. For the purposes of this chapter, tributaries on lakes formed by hydroelectric dams do not include the principal body of water flowing into the lakes. As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.38-2000, SEC.3; P.L.170-2002, SEC.93; P.L.119-2012, SEC.119.

Below is the administrative law on placing buoys on public waters
Rule 4. Navigation Aids and Water Recreation Structures
312 IAC 5-4-1 Navigation aids and water recreation structures; applicability
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-11-2-1; IC 14-15-7-3; IC 14-29-1-8
Affected: IC 14-15-3-17
Sec. 1. (a) This rule governs the placement of any navigation aid or water recreation structure.
(b) A person must comply with this rule before placing a navigation aid or water recreation structure on or along public
waters. Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), a license from the division is required for the placement of a navigation aid
or water recreation structure.
(c) Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e), each navigation aid must be colored white with international orange
geometric shapes. If placed on the water, a navigation aid must be a buoy.
(d) A buoy that identifies a point two hundred (200) feet from the shoreline of any lake or channel under IC 14-15-3-17 is
exempted from subsection (c). This exemption does not apply to Lake Michigan or where the division determines the exemption
will be contrary to safe and lawful boat usage.
(e) This rule does not apply to a navigation aid or water recreation structure located within one hundred fifty (150) feet from
the waterline or shoreline of a public freshwater lake or to a mooring buoy. The placement of a navigation aid or water recreation
structure under this subsection is governed by 312 IAC 11. A mooring buoy located on a navigable waterway is governed by 312
IAC 6. (Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 5-4-1; filed Mar 23, 2001, 2:50 p.m.: 24 IR 2370, eff Jan 1, 2002; readopted
filed May 29, 2008, 1:53 p.m.: 20080625-IR-312080057RFA; errata filed Jun 2, 2009, 10:29 a.m.: 20090624-IR-312090386ACA)

312 IAC 5-4-2 Application for a license for a navigation aid or water recreation structure; general requirements
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-11-2-1; IC 14-15-7-3; IC 14-29-1-8
Affected: IC 14
Sec. 2. An application for a license under this rule must be completed on a department form and contain information
sufficient to describe the purpose for which the license is sought. The application shall include the following information:
(1) The name and address of the applicant.
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of an individual who can be contacted concerning placement, maintenance,
and removal of the navigation aid or water recreation structure.
(3) A description of any navigation aid or water recreation structure to be placed under the license.
(4) The date, location, and duration of placement.
(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 5-4-2; filed Mar 23, 2001, 2:50 p.m.: 24 IR 2370, eff Jan 1, 2002; readopted filed May
29, 2008, 1:53 p.m.: 20080625-IR-312080057RFA)

Sgt. Blaine R. Gillan
Indiana Conservation Officer
District 3 Headquarters
4112 E. SR 225
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Office: (765) 567-7859