Strahl Lake (IN): Motor and Boating Rules
Brown County · near Nashville · managed by Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- Gas outboard NO
- Electric trolling YES
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Brown County, IN
- 7 acres
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Quick answer
Gas motors are prohibited on Strahl Lake; electric trolling motors are allowed. Strahl 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
Watch the detail that trips people up: a gas outboard left tilted up on the transom is still a gas motor on the boat. Some agencies tolerate it unused; others treat any attached combustion engine as a violation. On Strahl Lake, the safe play is to leave the gas motor at home unless Indiana Department of Natural Resources says otherwise in writing.
Electric-only waters in Indiana tend to be managed fishing lakes, and it shows: no wake chop, no fuel sheen, and quiet banks. If you fish from a kayak, a bow- or transom-mount conversion makes you a legal motorboat here — registration rules for motorized craft then apply, so check your paperwork before launch.
Worth knowing about Strahl Lake: 7-acre lake in Brown County State Park under the same rule as Ogle Lake: non-motorized boats or electric trolling motors only per the official park map. DNR lake permit required..
If this water doesn't fit your boat, compare Starve Hollow Lake (Electric only, Jackson County) or Summit Lake (No wake, Henry County) — or scan all verified Indiana lake motor rules to filter by restriction type before you hitch up.
Common mistakes on Electric only water
Treating "electric-only" as "no motors." Opposite mistake, same wasted trip: trolling motors are legal on Strahl Lake. You don't have to paddle unless you want to.
Ignoring the fine print. Most electric-only rules cap the power source, not the motor's size — but a few local rules do add size or mounting conditions. The notes on this page carry anything lake-specific we verified for Strahl Lake.
Before you launch — verify
- The live rulebook is here: Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- For edge cases — mounted-but-unused motors, tournaments, temporary orders — phone the Indiana Department of Natural Resources office covering Brown County.
- Our most recent source check for this page: .
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 Strahl Lake?
No. Gasoline engines are prohibited on Strahl Lake; the lake is limited to electric motors. Verified July 26, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Strahl Lake?
You can. Electric propulsion is permitted on Strahl Lake; most boats here run a 12 V transom-mount trolling motor. Pack a paddle as backup for when the battery fades.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Strahl Lake?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Strahl Lake rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Strahl Lake?
Indiana Department of Natural Resources (state department of natural resources) sets and enforces the motor rules on Strahl Lake, with possible additional ordinances from Brown County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.
Where do I verify the current rules for Strahl Lake?
Start with the source document linked under Sources below; it is the regulation this page summarizes. For anything ambiguous, Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the authority. Our last verification against the source: July 26, 2026.