Recreational boating can be an enjoyable hobby, allowing you to take on the open seas. You can fish, float, or relax, finding solace and comfort on the water. The world is your oyster regarding recreational boating, and you have many options across the United States.
From lakes to rivers to oceans, where you choose to boat can impact your overall experience. In this article, we’ll compare Atlantic City and Chicago recreational boating. These different cities can help you understand what type of boating is best for you.
Boating on an ocean is much different than boating on a lake, and let’s discuss the pros and cons of boating in Atlantic City and Chicago.
Recreational boats are required to have permits and registration in both Atlantic City and Chicago.
In Atlantic City, you will need to purchase a yearly permit for $5. Additionally, your boats must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission within 10 days of purchase. Drivers must be at least 16 years old and possess a New Jersey Boat Safety certificate to operate a boat.
Depending on the boat and location, you must purchase several permits in Chicago. These can include a $75 boat license, a $15 mooring permit, and a shore protection permit. Additionally, drivers 10 and older can operate a boat with supervision and a boating safety certificate.
The cost of boating in Chicago may be more expensive than boating in Atlantic City.
While boat drivers in both cities are required to have safety certificates, accidents still happen. In 2023, the Coast Guard reported 131 boat accidents, with seven fatalities in New Jersey and 70 accidents, with 11 deaths in Illinois. While there are more accidents in New Jersey, they are statistically less fatal than in Illinois.
If you experience a boat accident in either city, you should consult with an attorney to help you understand your legal options and recover damages. A Chicago boat accident attorney can help you navigate the nuances of an accident on Lake Michigan, which may differ from the aftermath of a boat accident on the Atlantic Ocean.
There are safety risks to boating in both cities, and it’s up to you to decide which is better for you.
You can fish in Chicago and Atlantic City, but there are differences in when you can fish, the type of fish you can catch, and more.
You can fish year-round in Atlantic City, though the best time to fish is between May and November. You can catch flounder, bluefish, blackfish, striped bass, tuna, cod, drum, sheepshead, and even sharks fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. You can fish off the shore and via a charter boat.
Chicago fishing is more limited as the lake can freeze during winter. You can catch salmon, brown trout, steelhead, perch, and smallmouth bass, though which is more readily available will depend on the season. You can fish on the shore, by boat, or by charter.
While you can fish in both locations, you aren’t as limited by the seasons in Atlantic City. You can fish any time of the year, and a greater variety of fish is available. The fish will often be larger, though you may need more specialized equipment to fish in the ocean effectively.
Boating can negatively impact the environment in lakes and oceans. It can increase water pollution due to fuel spills, chemical leaks, sewage dispersal, and more.
In Lake Michigan, boat engines can disturb the sediment, making the water cloudy. The constant turbulence can also damage the aquatic ecosystem in the long term, leading to shoreline erosion.
Boating in the Atlantic Ocean can also disrupt the aquatic environment. When boats drop anchors, they damage the seafloor and uproot significant vegetation. Boats can also spread invasive species to new areas, contaminating them as they travel between locations.
Follow all local regulations to help minimize the environmental impact of boating, especially if there are restricted areas. This can help preserve the ecosystem and promote marine life growth. Failure to adhere to these regulations can result in fines or the loss of your boating permit.
Atlantic City has more boating options. It has fewer fees, increasing the access for many people interested in taking on the seas. While there are more accidents, there are fewer deaths from boating accidents. Additionally, you can fish longer and catch more species in Atlantic City.
Chicago is a viable option for boating in the Midwest, though you will need to wait until the lake thaws before you can go. There are pros and cons to recreational boating in both cities, and it will often come down to convenience for which is right for you.
