Starve Hollow Lake (IN): Motor and Boating Rules
Jackson County · near Vallonia · managed by Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- Gas outboard NO
- Electric trolling YES
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Jackson County, IN
- 145 acres
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Quick answer
Gas motors are prohibited on Starve Hollow Lake; electric trolling motors are allowed. Starve Hollow Lake in IN is restricted to electric motors only — gasoline engines are prohibited under Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulations (verified July 26, 2026). A typical legal setup is a transom-mount trolling motor with a deep-cycle battery. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Indiana Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Rules at a glance
What this means in practice
Electric-only means the hull can be almost anything — the power source is what matters. The typical setup on Starve Hollow Lake is a transom-mount trolling motor in the 30–55 lb thrust range on a deep-cycle 12 V battery. Thrust is not horsepower: 55 lb of thrust moves a small boat at roughly walking pace. Our guide on what electric-only really means covers setups and run time.
Battery math decides your day on Starve Hollow Lake. Divide the battery's amp-hours by your motor's draw: a 100 Ah battery on a motor pulling 25 A at half speed gives about four hours continuous — more with intermittent use, less in wind and cold water. A second battery or a paddle backup is cheap insurance.
Worth knowing about Starve Hollow Lake: 145-acre lake at Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, carved out of Jackson-Washington State Forest. DNR property page states Starve-Hollow Lake is a trolling motor only lake; the official recreation area map adds that only electric trolling motors are allowed..
Planning options around Indiana? The neighboring pages in our database cover Prairie Creek Reservoir (Zoned, Delaware County) and Strahl Lake (Electric only, Brown County), and the state hub lists all verified Indiana lake motor rules with the official source behind each.
Common mistakes on Electric only water
Leaving the gas outboard mounted "just in case." Depending on the agency, an attached combustion engine can be a violation even when it stays off. Confirm with Indiana Department of Natural Resources or leave it home.
Forgetting registration. In most states a kayak becomes a registrable motorboat the moment a trolling motor goes on. Paperwork stops here are more common than speed stops.
Before you launch — verify
- Read the current regulation yourself: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- A two-minute call to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources office for Jackson County settles anything this page leaves open.
- This summary was last checked against the source on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Indiana Department of Natural Resources before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Starve Hollow Lake?
No — Starve Hollow Lake is electric-only. Combustion engines of any size are banned; trolling motors are the legal alternative. Verified July 26, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Starve Hollow Lake?
Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Starve Hollow Lake. A transom-mount motor in the 30–55 lb thrust range with a deep-cycle battery is the typical setup for this class of water.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Starve Hollow Lake?
No. Jet skis and other personal watercraft are effectively prohibited on Starve Hollow Lake under the lake's motor restriction.
Who enforces boating rules on Starve Hollow Lake?
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (state department of natural resources) sets and enforces the motor rules on Starve Hollow Lake, with possible additional ordinances from Jackson County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.
Where do I verify the current rules for Starve Hollow Lake?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 26, 2026.