Can you run your motor on that lake?
Motor rules for 142 U.S. lakes in 13 states — no motors, electric-only, horsepower caps, no-wake — every one cited to the official regulation and dated.
Or answer it in 10 seconds with the motor check tool.
- No motors
- Electric only
- HP limits
- Slow-no-wake
- Zoned rules
Quick answer
This site answers one question before you tow the boat out: what motor rules apply on a specific lake. We read the official regulations — DNR lists, fish & boat commission codes, marine board rules — and turn them into one clear page per lake. Every page names the regulator, links the source document, and shows when we last verified it.
The five kinds of "restricted lake"
- No Motors Allowed27
- Electric Motors Only61
- Horsepower Limit23
- Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake20
- Zoned Restrictions11
- No Motors Allowed Nothing mechanical — electric trolling motors included. Paddle water.
- Electric Motors Only Gas banned; trolling motor + deep-cycle battery is the standard setup.
- 10 HP limit Outboards up to the posted rating. 9.9 hp motors exist for exactly this.
- Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake Any motor, idle speed everywhere. No skiing or planing.
- Zoned Restrictions Rules differ by area of the lake — the zone map decides.
Browse lake motor rules by state
More states are added as we verify their official lists — a lake only appears here once its rule is confirmed in an official source.
Verified lists by restriction type
Electric-only lakes
- Indiana (7)
- Kentucky (6)
- Michigan (5)
- Minnesota (6)
- New Jersey (4)
- Ohio (5)
- Oregon (3)
- Pennsylvania (5)
- Virginia (10)
- Washington (3)
- Wisconsin (3)
Horsepower-limit lakes
- New Jersey (3)
- Ohio (4)
Recently verified lakes
Understand the rules, not just the verdict
-
What "Electric Motors Only" Really Means on a LakeTrolling motors, thrust vs. horsepower, batteries, and the typical setup that is legal on an electric-only lake.
-
Slow-No-Wake Rules Explained: What Counts as a WakeWhat slow-no-wake means on the water, how officers judge it, and how shoreline buffer distances work.
-
Who Regulates Your Lake? DNR, Commissions, Cities and Federal AgenciesHow to figure out which agency sets motor rules on a given lake — and who to call to verify them.
-
Kayaks and Canoes on Motor-Restricted Lakes: What Applies to YouPaddle craft are welcome on almost every restricted lake — here is what still applies: PFDs, registration and launch rules.
-
Why 9.9 HP Outboards Exist: Horsepower-Limit Lakes ExplainedHow horsepower caps are written and enforced, why 9.9 hp motors are built for them, and what counts on the motor plate.
-
Do You Need to Register a Kayak or Boat With a Trolling Motor?Mounting any motor usually turns your craft into a registrable motorboat. State patterns, launch permits, and the paperwork checks to expect.
-
Lake Motor Rules Glossary: Slow-No-Wake, Idle Speed, HP Ratings and MorePlain-English definitions of every term that appears in lake boating regulations — from slow-no-wake to launch permits and PWC rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find out if a lake allows gas motors?
Search the lake above or open its state page. Every lake page here shows a verdict card (gas / electric / PWC), the exact restriction, the agency that sets it, a link to the official regulation, and the date we last verified it against that source.
Where does this data come from?
Only from official sources: state administrative codes, agency PDFs and agency web pages published by DNRs, fish & boat commissions, and marine boards. A lake without an official source URL does not get a page on this site — no exceptions.
What is the difference between "no motors" and "electric only"?
A no-motor lake bans every kind of mechanical propulsion, electric trolling motors included — paddle craft only. An electric-only lake bans combustion engines but welcomes trolling motors. Mixing the two up is the most common mistake boaters make, and the badge colors on this site (red vs. orange) keep them apart.
Is a 9.9 hp motor legal on a 10 hp limit lake?
Yes — that is exactly why 9.9 hp motors exist. Horsepower caps read the rated horsepower on the motor plate, so a 9.9 hp plate clears a 10 hp cap. A larger motor is over the cap even if you never open the throttle. Our guide to 9.9 hp outboards covers enforcement details.
Can rules change after you verify them?
Yes. Agencies amend rules and local governments add ordinances, which is why every page shows its verification date and links the live official document. Treat our pages as a fast summary, and confirm with the agency before you launch.
Do these restrictions apply to kayaks and canoes?
Motor restrictions target motors, not hulls — paddle craft are welcome on virtually every restricted lake and often benefit from the quiet water. PFD carriage, registration in some states, and launch permits still apply; see our kayak guide for the details.