Detroit Lakes draws boaters from across the upper Midwest every summer. Detroit Lake itself covers over 14,000 acres and gives pontoons, wake boats, and jet skis plenty of room to run without getting in each other’s way. The broader region has over 400 named lakes within a short drive, which is part of why people keep coming back year after year. GoGoRental has been putting people on the water here for several years with a fleet that covers the full range, from entry-level pontoon days to purpose-built wake surf sessions and everything in between.

Pontoon Boat Rentals in Detroit Lakes

Pontoons are where most groups end up, and for good reason. They hold more people, they stay stable in light chop, and a full day on one never gets old. GoGoRental runs Harris and Crest boats across several size and horsepower combinations so you can match the boat to your group and your budget.

Harris has been building pontoons in Michigan for decades. Their boats show up in rental fleets across Minnesota because they hold up to heavy use without constant maintenance headaches. Crest builds a noticeably more refined product, with better interior finish and more attention to detail at the fit-and-finish level. That difference is reflected in the pricing.

Boat	Length	HP	Notes	Price/Day
Harris Pontoon	22′	90hp	Docked	$250
Harris Pontoon	25′	115hp	Docked	$325
Harris Pontoon	24′	115hp	Docked	$325
Crest Classic LX	21′	115hp	Docked	$325
Harris Pontoon	22′	60hp	Docked	$375
Harris Pontoon	22′	60hp	On Trailer	$400
Crest Classic	23′	115hp	Docked	$475
Crest Fish n Cruise	23′	115hp	Docked	$475

The 22′ Harris with the 90hp motor at $250/day is the entry-level choice. It handles a group of six to eight on Detroit Lake without any issues and gets the job done at a price that makes sense for a casual day out. For bigger groups or more horsepower, the 24′ and 25′ Harris boats and the 21′ Crest Classic LX all run 115hp motors and step up in size and stability on open water.

The 23′ Crest Classic and the 23′ Crest Fish n Cruise both come in at $475/day. At that size and power, they suit larger groups well and offer a better overall experience on the water. The Fish n Cruise is worth considering if part of your group wants to troll a few passes along the shoreline while the rest of the crew sits back and enjoys the afternoon.

The 22′ Harris with the 60hp motor is also offered on a trailer at $400/day. The trailer option lets you pull the boat to any public access in the region rather than being tied to Detroit Lake. With over 400 named lakes within a short drive, that flexibility is worth having if you want a quieter spot or want to try a lake you’ve never been on before.

Wake Boats and High-Performance Rentals

GoGoRental has two Tige wake boats in the Detroit Lakes fleet, the Z1 and the RZ1, both available at $599/day.

Tige builds purpose-built wake surf and wakeboard boats. The hull shape, ballast system, and surf gate configuration on the Z1 and RZ1 are all designed around producing a clean, surfable wake, not just something that looks good at the dock. Detroit Lake has enough open water to run a proper set without running into no-wake restrictions, and these boats are set up to take full advantage of it.

Experience is required. GoGoRental verifies at pickup that renters have real time on wake boats before handing over the keys. You will also need a valid Minnesota Boating Safety Certificate or an accepted out-of-state equivalent. If your group is new to wake boats, the right starting point is a pontoon or a jet ski. For experienced riders who know what they want, these are well-maintained, capable boats on a good lake.

Jet Ski Rentals in Detroit Lakes

GoGoRental carries three personal watercraft options, covering different budgets and group needs.

The Yamaha Wave Runner EX Deluxe at $225/day is the approachable choice. It handles well, runs reliably, and works for first-timers and riders who just want to cover some water without overthinking it. The Yamaha Wave Runner VXR High Output 1.8 at $275/day is a different machine. The 1.8-liter engine has real power behind it, and if performance is the point of the day, this is the ski to book.

The two Sea-Doo Wake package at $600/day puts two machines on one shared trailer. That breaks down to $300 per ski, and having both on one trailer means the whole group launches together at the same ramp without coordinating two separate pickups. Two couples or families with multiple teenagers running together tend to book this package most. Worth the math if your group needs two skis.

Water Toys and Add-Ons

A few extras go a long way toward making a boat day stick in people’s memories. GoGoRental offers kayaks starting at $35/day, stand-up paddle boards at $30/day, and pull-behind tubes at $20/day. The 10-Person Floating Lounge at $30/day is worth adding to any pontoon rental. Anchor out in the bay, set the lounge up off the stern, and your group has a platform to get in and out of the water all afternoon without swimming back to the ladder every ten minutes.

All of these work as standalone rentals or as additions stacked onto a boat booking. Families with younger kids almost always grab the tube. The floating lounge combined with a pontoon is one of the more practical setups for mixed groups where some people want to be in the water and others want to stay dry.

How to Book a Rental in Detroit Lakes

All rentals are available at gogorental.com/detroit-lakes. The booking calendar shows real-time availability so you can confirm what is open on your specific dates before putting anything down. The whole process takes a few minutes online.

Summer weekends on Detroit Lake fill up fast. The Fourth of July week and WeFest weekend in early August are the two windows that book out earliest every season. If you need a specific boat on a specific weekend in either of those stretches, two to three weeks of lead time is the right target. Weekday availability throughout June, July, and August is much more open, and you can often get what you want with far shorter notice.

When you pick up, bring a valid photo ID. Anyone born after December 31, 1986 is required to carry a Minnesota Boating Safety Certificate when operating a motorized boat on Minnesota waters. Out-of-state certificates from approved programs are accepted. The minimum renter age is 18. For the Tige wake boats, GoGoRental will also verify your experience level at checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Minnesota?

Minnesota does not issue a traditional boating license, but anyone born after December 31, 1986 must carry a Boating Safety Certificate when operating a motorized vessel on Minnesota waters. You can complete the course online through the Minnesota DNR for a modest fee, and it is valid for life once you pass. Out-of-state safety certificates from accredited programs are accepted in Minnesota. If you were born on or before December 31, 1986, you are not required to carry a certificate, though you are still responsible for following all Minnesota boating laws.

What is the minimum age to rent a boat?

Renters must be at least 18 years old to book and take possession of any rental. All operators must also meet the Boating Safety Certificate requirement based on their birth year. Younger passengers are welcome aboard, but the person renting the boat must be 18 or older and is responsible for everything that happens on the water.

Can I take the boat to other lakes?

Several rentals are set up specifically for trailering. The 22′ Harris Pontoon with 60hp is available on a trailer at $400/day. The NauticStar Deck Boat 223 DC 150hp comes on a trailer at $375/day, and the Crestliner 1700 Vision 115hp is also trailer-mounted at $300/day. The two Sea-Doo Wake package includes a trailer as well. All of these can be towed to any lake in the region with a properly equipped vehicle. Detroit Lake is the obvious home base, but the area has hundreds of other lakes worth a day trip.

What is included with my rental?

All rentals include life jackets for all passengers and the safety equipment required by Minnesota DNR regulations. GoGoRental walks every renter through a full boat orientation at pickup so your group knows the specifics before you leave the dock. Fuel is the renter’s responsibility for most rentals. Check the listing details at gogorental.com/detroit-lakes for full information on what is included with each specific boat.

How far in advance should I book?

For peak summer weekends, two to three weeks is the right target. The Fourth of July window and WeFest weekend in early August are the two stretches that book out earliest every year. If you have specific dates in mind and a specific boat you want, booking early is the only reliable way to get both. Weekday rentals in June, July, and August are generally more flexible, and you can usually book with a few days’ notice. If you have room to move on dates, weekdays are the easiest path to getting the boat you actually want.