Where to let the big dog eat?

[PurpleCatMan]

Any suggestions on where to open up my bass boat legally? I live in Minneapolis and would like to stay local, but I need a body of water with size and no speed limit. I've never been on the Mississippi, but it seems like a viable option. Are there speed limits on the river? Any areas to run that aren't too threatening to someone new to the river?

Thanks!

[Deitz Dittrich]

Waconia.. WBL.. Forest Lake.. may be your best options..

[blarkey]

as far as I know there's a 35 mph speed limit on all lakes

[bobbymalone]

I'm not sure if there are speed limits on the river or not, but a couple days ago I saw a coast guard boat with what looked like a pair of 300s on the back and it was about to start the river on fire it was going so fast.

Last year I saw a guy drop a racing boat in at the lyndale launch on the minnesota river, proceed to rip it back and forth for about 10 minutes going waaaaaay fast, and then put it back on the trailer and leave.

[DTro]

I wouldn’t do it on any stretch of the MN only because I know of a certain racing boat that was doing that very thing a couple of years ago, and was met with a ticket book from our local CO.

I asked the CO if he had ever seen him on the river like we had, and he replied, “not only have I seen him, I got his autograph”.

[dan z]

sounds like you need to go to cannon lake down by Faribualt (sp) lots of length there, or go over to waterville and crack it open on tetonka

[JohnMickish]

WBL has a 35MPH speed limit, but pool 4 does not! Take her down to Lake Pepin on a calm day, point it south and let her eat.

[CJH]

Take her down to Lake Pepin on a calm day, point it south and let her eat.

+1 !

[Tom7227]

What about debris on the rivers? Ticket is one thing, big honkin submerged tree is another

[simple1]

What about debris on the rivers? Ticket is one thing, big honkin submerged tree is another

Yes I remember screaming down the river in a friends boat and hitting a branch. Not good. I'm glad he was the one driving. I consider that a teachable moment.

[herefish101]

I thought the whole state had a 50 mph limit.

[Fowlmouth]

This might be a dumb question, but what's the need for "no speed limit"? In a hurry or something?

[itchmesir]

you can look in the boating guide.. but beyond "No Wake Zones" there is no speed limit on minnesota waters unless otherwise posted

[brian6715]

Yeah I would advise not going over 30 on pool 4, otherwise you are just asking for trouble.

I never understood the point of going fast. I guess I am at the lake to fish, not see how fast my boat can go.

[ANYFISH2]

No need to go fast, but it sure is fun(when done safely)!! A lot of gy are hp junkies and I find nothing wrong with it as long as they are responsible. I would amagine that is wh the OP asked his question. I can't wait to get to get the boat in the water, open her up and hit that thilling 37mph .

[Fisherman45]

I would really suggest you not do it on WBL they pulled me over for doing 37mph last weekend just to warn me that the speed limit was 35mph.

[BronzeBrother]

When in doubt, call the local CO and get their advice as to where you can go for your test runs.

[RumRiverRat]

Yeah I would advise not going over 30 on pool 4, otherwise you are just asking for trouble.

Why?

That is the perfect stretch to open up the throttle.

Red Wing to Wabasha at 70mph, OH YEAH!

[RumRiverRat]

as far as I know there's a 35 mph speed limit on all lakes

After extensive searching I have found nothing that says that.

Basically from the West Broadway Bridge to the Tenth Ave Bridge is a No wake zone on the Mississippi.

[Tator2k]

I know that not true as Orchard and Crystal have posted 40 MPH daylight speed limtits. I believe Pool 2 is also 40 MPH daylight.

[hydro]

As one who has personally autographed the Water Patrol's fan book, I can state from experience that the entire state has a 55 (or 50) mph speed limit on all public waters. It is lower in many areas.

That said, a well set up "bass boat" will probably run in the 70's at WOT and on most larger lakes outside of the Metro area you won't have any issues. Just use some common sense and stay clear of other boaters and stay away from the shore. Annoying people is the best way to get ticketed.

Give yourself a 2+ mile run, downwind on a 6" chop, with the trim set just high enough to free up ther hull will get you a good number on the GPS. Just don't run the trim too high, it will only slow you down!

[JohnMickish]

The debris on pool 4 lake Pepin is almost nill in the summer time. About the same as any other lake of that size.

Whats the sense of having 200+ horses if you don't let them out once in awhile??

[mww24]

I know your all for going fast. I am two. I have two speeds full throttle if can be done safely. or trolling motor speed. How big of a boat and motor do you have? Have you ever ran this kind of boat with this kind of horsepower? If not. I would suggest taking it slow. Get comfortable and increase speed as you see fit. If you have a 20 foot boat with a 250 and you only have driven a 30 horse till before. I assure you. you will scare the [PoorWordUsage] out of yourself. Wear your PFD and kill switch. Good luck. Not trying to insult you or offend you. Just don't want to read a tragic story in the paper.