Lake Marcia (NJ): Motor and Boating Rules
Sussex County · near Colesville · managed by New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
- Gas outboard NO
- Electric trolling NO
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Sussex County, NJ
- 20 acres
- New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
Quick answer
Lake Marcia is closed to motors of every kind. Gasoline outboards are banned here. Electric trolling motors are banned too. Lake Marcia in NJ is closed to all boat motors, including electric trolling motors under New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry regulations (verified July 26, 2026). Paddle power is your only option on this water. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry 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 Lake Marcia. Whether a motor may stay attached-but-unused varies by agency — ask New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry before assuming.
In practice, Lake Marcia 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.
Worth knowing about Lake Marcia: High Point State Park; 20-acre spring-fed lake serving as the park's guarded swimming beach. Park page states boats and personal watercraft, including kayaks and paddleboards, are not permitted in Lake Marcia; boaters are directed to nearby Sawmill and Steenykill lakes, which are electric motors only..
Two more New Jersey waters worth a look while you plan: Lake Grinnell (HP limit, Sussex County) and Lake Mohawk (Zoned, Sussex County). For the complete picture, all verified New Jersey 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: New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry
- Unsure about a detail? Call the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry district office that covers Sussex County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Lake Marcia?
No. Lake Marcia is listed as a no-motor water, which bans gasoline outboards and every other motor type. Verified July 26, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Lake Marcia?
No. Lake Marcia bans all motors, including electric trolling motors. Paddle, oars, or drift are your propulsion options here.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Lake Marcia?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Lake Marcia rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Lake Marcia?
The rules summarized here come from New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry (state department of natural resources), with possible additional ordinances from Sussex 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 Lake Marcia?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 26, 2026.