Quaker Lake (NY): Motor and Boating Rules
Cattaraugus County · near Salamanca · managed by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Gas outboard NO
- Electric trolling YES
- PWC / jet ski NO
- Cattaraugus County, NY
- 268 acres
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
Quick answer
Leave the gas outboard at home for Quaker Lake. Electric motors are the only propulsion allowed besides paddle and oar. Quaker Lake in NY is restricted to electric motors only — gasoline engines are prohibited under New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regulations (verified July 26, 2026). Size the motor to your hull, and check the notes below for any lake-specific conditions. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation before you launch.
Rules at a glance
What this means in practice
Battery math decides your day on Quaker Lake. Divide the battery's amp-hours by your motor's draw: a 100 Ah battery on a motor pulling 25 A at half speed gives about four hours continuous — more with intermittent use, less in wind and cold water. A second battery or a paddle backup is cheap insurance.
Electric-only waters in New York 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 Quaker Lake: 268-acre impoundment of Quaker Run in Allegany State Park (OPRHP), Town of Cold Spring. The DEC waterbody page states electric motors only with a 5 hp maximum..
Planning options around New York? The neighboring pages in our database cover North-South Lake (No motors, Greene County) and St. Regis Pond (No motors, Franklin County), and the state hub lists all verified New York lake motor rules with the official source behind each.
Common mistakes on Electric only water
Leaving the gas outboard mounted "just in case." Depending on the agency, an attached combustion engine can be a violation even when it stays off. Confirm with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation or leave it home.
Undersizing the battery. Wind is the tax on electric water — a battery that lasts four calm hours lasts two windy ones. Bring reserve capacity or a paddle backup.
Before you launch — verify
- The live rulebook is here: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- For edge cases — mounted-but-unused motors, tournaments, temporary orders — phone the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation office covering Cattaraugus County.
- Our most recent source check for this page: .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Quaker Lake?
No — Quaker Lake is electric-only. Combustion engines of any size are banned; trolling motors are the legal alternative. Verified July 26, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Quaker Lake?
You can. Electric propulsion is permitted on Quaker 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 Quaker Lake?
Jet skis are out on Quaker Lake. The lake's motor rule leaves no room for personal watercraft.
Who enforces boating rules on Quaker Lake?
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (state department of natural resources) sets and enforces the motor rules on Quaker Lake, with possible additional ordinances from Cattaraugus County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.
Where do I verify the current rules for Quaker Lake?
Use the official document linked in the Sources section of this page — it is what this summary is based on — or go to New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation directly. We last verified this page against the source on July 26, 2026.