Bert Combs Lake (KY): Motor & Boating Rules
Clay County · near Manchester · managed by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Gas outboard: NO
- Electric trolling: YES
- PWC / jet ski: NO
Quick answer
Bert Combs Lake is an electric-only water. Gasoline engines are banned outright. Trolling motors of any thrust rating are legal. Bert Combs Lake in KY is restricted to electric motors only — gasoline engines are prohibited under Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources regulations (verified July 14, 2026). Most anglers here run 30–55 lb thrust off a 12 V battery. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before you launch.
Rules at a glance
| Restriction class | Electric Motors Only |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | n/a |
| Electric trolling motors | YES |
| Gas outboards | NO |
| PWC / jet skis | NO |
| Wake rule | None listed for Bert Combs Lake |
| Hours rule | None listed for Bert Combs Lake |
| Zones | All of Bert Combs Lake, no zones listed |
| Managing body | State fish & boat commission: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources |
| Official source | Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources — apps.legislature.ky.gov |
| Last verified |
What this means in practice
Electric-only means the hull can be almost anything — the power source is what matters. The typical setup on Bert Combs 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.
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 Bert Combs Lake, the safe play is to leave the gas motor at home unless Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says otherwise in writing.
Common mistakes on Electric only water
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 Bert Combs Lake.
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
- Official rules: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Unsure about a detail? Call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources district office that covers Clay County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Bert Combs Lake?
No. Gasoline engines are prohibited on Bert Combs Lake; the lake is limited to electric motors. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Bert Combs Lake?
Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Bert Combs 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 Bert Combs Lake?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Bert Combs Lake rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Bert Combs Lake?
The rules summarized here come from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (state fish & boat commission), with possible additional ordinances from Clay County or local municipalities. Any peace officer can cite violations, so treat posted rules as enforceable regardless of who is watching.
Where do I verify the current rules for Bert Combs Lake?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- Administrative code: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources — apps.legislature.ky.gov
- Managing agency: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Last verified against the source: