Horse power limit on lakes

[AwesomZZ]

I know this question might be dumb and has probably been answered a million times before, but I'll ask anyway.

If a lake has a restriction of 6hp motor or lower does that mean that,

A.) You can take your boat on the lake even if it has a motor higher than 6hp, but you can't use your motor. So this means you'll end up using the troll motor the entire time.

B.) A motor more than 6hp absolutely can not enter the lake even if it isn't being used.

Second question, why have a limit on hp, instead have a speed limit?

[rugbymn]

I don't know the answer to your first question, but I'm pretty sure they don't go by a speed limit for a few reasons

1. DNR would have to get radar guns and that just isn't in the budget.

2. Outboard motors don't have speedometers.

3. The speedometers that do exist in boats probably aren't very accurate.

[fishgutz77]

I think your on the right track with your "A" option

[JimBuck]

A. As long as your not using the motor, the boat it is attached to can be on the lake.

A lot of boaters like to push their luck or have no idea about speed limits even existing. Horsepower limits tend to work better keeping those types off the lake.

Not a stupid question at all.

[Tator2k]

It's 'A' Also the same goes for electric only lakes.

[Jackpine Rob]

A is the correct answer for your metro-type lakes.

Warning!!! A is the incorrect answer in BWCA lakes with a 25 hp limit. On those waters, you can't even possess the larger motor. On the non-motor routes you can't possess any motor.

[blakeb]

why not just have a no wake rule?

[ted4887]

why not just have a no wake rule?

My guess is that even if there is a no wake rule in effect, not everyone will abide by it. Same goes for limits. Not everyone abides by them unfortunately. Just saying no motors at all makes enforcement much easier.

[jigginjim]

Several officials of various lakes have told me that, if larger motors were allowed, an couple things could also happen. People would be pulling tubes and other items,(seen it, I grew up water skiing behind a 15hp motor). Launches would have large Issues much like we already see from power loaders, washing out boat ramps. Larger motor also push larger prop wash in shallows, also effecting weed beds for spawning of some types of fish. Finally over crowdling of lakes, On warm summer days (weekends) go launch your boat on Lake Marion Lakeville after 10:30am you will have more chances to be waiting in a line to enjoy the lake.

I don't mind using my trolling / eletric motor to fish many lakes. if you rig your boat right, pulling plugs for trolling walleye and pike, are not much of a problem.

[Zelmsdawg]

I would have to guess that in the case of the metro lakes maybe noise is a factor too?

Also, I see several boats still use their outboard to trailer their boat and I am curious if this is illegal/legal or just overlooked?

Zelmsdawg

[knoppers]

I would have to guess that in the case of the metro lakes maybe noise is a factor too?

Zelmsdawg

I would think larger motors are more apt to be running 4 stroke motors, were most small outboards would be 2 stroke, so louder.

good topic, I was also woundering about this. snowbank lake northeast of ely has a 25hp limit. I did launch many years ago with a 115 on my back, but never fired the motor up and used my 9.9 kicker. since this lake is partly ouside the BWCAW, can I still use my new boat with the 200, but not fire it up and use my kicker?