Clear Lake (OR): Motor & Boating Rules
Linn County · near McKenzie Bridge · managed by Oregon State Marine Board
- Gas outboard: NO
- Electric trolling: NO
- PWC / jet ski: NO
Quick answer
Clear Lake is closed to motors of every kind. Gasoline outboards are banned here. Electric trolling motors are banned too. Clear Lake in OR is closed to all boat motors, including electric trolling motors under Oregon State Marine Board 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 Oregon State Marine Board before you launch.
Rules at a glance
| Restriction class | No Motors Allowed |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | n/a |
| Electric trolling motors | NO |
| Gas outboards | NO |
| PWC / jet skis | NO |
| Wake rule | None listed for Clear Lake |
| Hours rule | None listed for Clear Lake |
| Zones | All of Clear Lake, no zones listed |
| Managing body | State department of natural resources: Oregon State Marine Board |
| Official source | Oregon State Marine Board — oregonlegislature.gov |
| Last verified |
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 Clear Lake. Whether a motor may stay attached-but-unused varies by agency — ask Oregon State Marine Board before assuming.
In practice, Clear 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.
Worth knowing about Clear Lake: ORS 830.180(1) table entry (Linn County). The Linn County local rule (OAR 250-020-0240) contains no electric-motor authorization for Clear Lake, so all motors including electric are prohibited under ORS 830.180(3). Headwaters lake of the McKenzie River; rowboat rentals only.
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: Oregon State Marine Board
- Unsure about a detail? Call the Oregon State Marine Board district office that covers Linn County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Oregon State Marine Board before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Clear Lake?
No. Clear 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 Clear Lake?
No. Clear Lake bans all motors, including electric trolling motors. Paddle, oars, or drift are your propulsion options here.
Are jet skis (PWC) allowed on Clear Lake?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Clear Lake rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Clear Lake?
The rules summarized here come from Oregon State Marine Board (state department of natural resources), with possible additional ordinances from Linn 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 Clear Lake?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Oregon State Marine Board publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- State statute: Oregon State Marine Board — oregonlegislature.gov
- Managing agency: Oregon State Marine Board
- Last verified against the source: