Fellows Lake (MO): Motor and Boating Rules
Greene County · near Springfield · managed by City Utilities of Springfield
- Gas outboard YES
- Electric trolling YES
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Greene County, MO
- 40 hp cap
- City Utilities of Springfield
Quick answer
Fellows Lake carries a 40 hp cap. The rated horsepower on your motor's plate is what counts. Common portables — 2.5 to 9.9 hp — fit under it. Fellows Lake in MO is limited to outboard motors of 40 horsepower or less under City Utilities of Springfield regulations (verified July 26, 2026). Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with City Utilities of Springfield before you launch.
Rules at a glance
Plate rating counts — motors rated above 40 hp are over the cap even at idle.
What this means in practice
A 40 hp cap covers most portable outboards — the common 2.5, 4, 6, and 9.9 hp models all fit under a 10 hp-style limit. Check the plate on your motor: the rated horsepower stamped there is what counts, not how gently you throttle.
PWC exceed a low horsepower cap by design, so the limit on Fellows Lake effectively excludes jet skis. Electric trolling motors sit comfortably inside any horsepower cap and are a common quiet-water choice here.
Hours matter here too: the posted rule is "Lake open dawn to dark; gates locked at sunset". Outside those hours, the stricter behavior applies — plan dawn and dusk trips around it on Fellows Lake.
Worth knowing about Fellows Lake: Fellows Lake is Springfield's primary drinking-water supply, owned by City Utilities of Springfield. Boating rules require a daily or annual permit and boat inspection, allow traditional boats with max 40 hp motor only, and prohibit jet skis, PWCs, and boats with galley or toilet facilities; swimming, wading, and skiing are prohibited. The 40 hp cap is also codified at 3 CSR 10-12.110(6)..
Two more Missouri waters worth a look while you plan: Duck Creek Conservation Area Pool 1 (No wake, Bollinger County) and Hunnewell Lake (Electric only, Shelby County). For the complete picture, all verified Missouri lake motor rules sit on one sortable page.
Common mistakes on HP limit water
Forgetting auxiliary motors count. Where the rule caps the motor or combination of motors, a kicker plus main can bust the number together. Check the wording in the source.
Missing the wake rule stacked on top. Horsepower caps often travel with idle-speed or no-wake conditions — the table above lists what applies on Fellows Lake.
Before you launch — verify
- Official rules: City Utilities of Springfield
- Unsure about a detail? Call the City Utilities of Springfield district office that covers Greene County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with City Utilities of Springfield before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Fellows Lake?
Yes, within the 40 hp limit. Outboards rated above 40 horsepower are prohibited on Fellows Lake. Verified July 26, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Fellows Lake?
Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Fellows 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 Fellows Lake?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. Their engines are rated far above the 40 hp cap on Fellows Lake.
Who enforces boating rules on Fellows Lake?
The rules summarized here come from City Utilities of Springfield (utility / water district), with possible additional ordinances from Greene 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 Fellows Lake?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and City Utilities of Springfield publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 26, 2026.