Dennie Gooch Lake (KY): Motor and Boating Rules
Pulaski County · near Somerset · managed by Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
- Gas outboard NO
- Electric trolling NO
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Pulaski County, KY
- Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Quick answer
Dennie Gooch Lake is closed to motors of every kind. Gasoline outboards are banned here. Electric trolling motors are banned too. Dennie Gooch Lake in KY is closed to all boat motors, including electric trolling motors under Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources regulations (verified July 14, 2026). Paddle power is your only option on this water. 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
What this means in practice
A no-motor listing is the strictest class on the books. It is not just about gasoline: mounting any motor, including a small electric trolling unit, puts you outside the rule on Dennie Gooch Lake. Whether a motor may stay attached-but-unused varies by agency — ask Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before assuming.
In practice, Dennie Gooch Lake is paddle water: kayaks, canoes, jon boats under oars, and float tubes. Anglers who want to cover water rig drift socks and plan around the wind instead of a motor — position upwind and work the fishable banks on the drift.
Two more Kentucky waters worth a look while you plan: Carter Caves Lake (Electric only, Carter County) and Fishpond Lake (Electric only, Letcher County). For the complete picture, all verified Kentucky lake motor rules sit on one sortable page.
Common mistakes on No motors water
Skipping the PFD because "it's just a paddle lake." Life-jacket carriage rules apply to unpowered craft everywhere, and quiet water gets patrolled too.
Trusting an old fishing forum thread. Motor listings change by rulemaking, not rumor. The source document linked below is current as of our verification date — read that instead.
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 Pulaski 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 Dennie Gooch Lake?
No. Dennie Gooch Lake is listed as a no-motor water, which bans gasoline outboards and every other motor type. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Dennie Gooch Lake?
No. Dennie Gooch Lake bans all motors, including electric trolling motors. Paddle, oars, or drift are your propulsion options here.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Dennie Gooch Lake?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Dennie Gooch Lake rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Dennie Gooch Lake?
The rules summarized here come from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (state fish & boat commission), with possible additional ordinances from Pulaski 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 Dennie Gooch 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.