excuse my confusion. do I need nav-lights?

I had a game warden suggest I get nav-lights.

I am not sure if I need them or if they are even wanted on my regular Outback, without motor.

going bass fishing now, the daylight hours are shorter.  I slip into a dark lake.  I got lights. 

are they required?

No, and its actually better to not have them on a non powered craft, because the expectation is that you will then act as a powered craft and abide by the rules of motorvessels, right of way, etc.  360 white light is the correct light to display. it is the light for night time boating and anchor use and boaters will see that and understand a small mostly stationary/slow moving craft is there and will alter course to give you plenty of space..  if you run red/greens, they may pass by and assume you're a boat, accidentally waking you out.

No, and its actually better to not have them on a non powered craft, because the expectation is that you will then act as a powered craft and abide by the rules of motorvessels, right of way, etc.  360 white light is the correct light to display. it is the light for night time boating and anchor use and boaters will see that and understand a small mostly stationary/slow moving craft is there and will alter course to give you plenty of space..  if you run red/greens, they may pass by and assume you're a boat, accidentally waking you out.

I could not agree more with the reasoning outlined above by Christian.  I want to add that you don't even need an all-round white light, per the requirements.  You can also have a "lantern or torch" that can be shone within reasonable time to avoid collision.  On particularly dark or limited visiblity mornings, I wear a headlamp in addition to my kayak mounted all-round white light.  That way I can turn on the headlamp and point it at another vessel if I feel they aren't seeing my all-round white light.

Per 33 CFR 83.25(d)(iii):
A vessel under oars may exhibit the lights prescribed in this Rule for sailing vessels, but if she does not, she shall exhibit an all-round white light or have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

thanks.

this applies to kayaks with motors as well?

thanks.

this applies to kayaks with motors as well?

motor driven vessels are registered in California, and in CA powered boats must have red and green lights. its violation to operate without them.

It looks like a sailboat that's less than 7m can also "exhibit an all-round white light...", blah, blah, blah. Am I reading this correctly:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-83/subpart-C/section-83.25

Anyone can and probably should exhibit a 360 white light. You're just not required to at the unpowered kayak level, it's still a great idea though.

It looks like a sailboat that's less than 7m can also "exhibit an all-round white light...", blah, blah, blah. Am I reading this correctly:

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-83/subpart-C/section-83.25

You are reading it correctly.