Lake Arthur (PA): Motor & Boating Rules
Butler County · near Portersville · managed by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Gas outboard: YES
- Electric trolling: YES
- PWC / jet ski: NO
Quick answer
Check your motor plate before hauling to Lake Arthur: the limit is 20 hp. Lake Arthur in PA is limited to outboard motors of 20 horsepower or less under Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations (verified July 14, 2026). Outboards rated above the cap are out. Electric trolling motors fit comfortably. Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission before you launch.
Rules at a glance
| Restriction class | 20 HP limit |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | 20 hp |
| Electric trolling motors | YES |
| Gas outboards | YES |
| PWC / jet skis | NO |
| Wake rule | None listed for Lake Arthur |
| Hours rule | None listed for Lake Arthur |
| Zones | All of Lake Arthur, no zones listed |
| Managing body | State department of natural resources: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission |
| Official source | Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — pacodeandbulletin.gov |
| Last verified |
What this means in practice
Why 9.9 hp motors exist: manufacturers build them precisely for lakes like Lake Arthur, where a 10 hp cap is the line. If your plate is worn or missing, carry documentation — enforcement reads the rating, not your word for it.
The cap is about the motor, not your speed, on most waters: a 40 hp outboard at idle is still a 40 hp outboard. This lake has its own wrinkle worth knowing — see the note below.
Worth knowing about Lake Arthur: 3,225-acre state park lake. DCNR park page confirms "Maximum 20 hp/15 kWh motors permitted". Located in Moraine State Park.
Common mistakes on HP limit water
Rounding 9.9 up. A 9.9 hp motor is legal under a 10 hp cap — that is why it exists. Don't let a worn plate turn a legal motor into an argument; carry the manual or a photo.
Bringing the PWC. No production jet ski runs under a low horsepower cap, so the 20 hp limit on Lake Arthur excludes them by arithmetic, no explicit ban needed.
Before you launch — verify
- The live rulebook is here: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- For edge cases — mounted-but-unused motors, tournaments, temporary orders — phone the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission office covering Butler County.
- Our most recent source check for this page: .
Rules change and local ordinances may add restrictions — always confirm with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission before you launch.
Frequently asked questions
Are gas motors allowed on Lake Arthur?
Gas is fine here as long as the motor's plate reads 20 hp or less. Anything rated higher is outside the rule on Lake Arthur. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Lake Arthur?
You can. Electric propulsion is permitted on Lake Arthur; 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 Lake Arthur?
Jet skis are out on Lake Arthur. No production PWC comes in under the 20 hp limit.
Who enforces boating rules on Lake Arthur?
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (state department of natural resources) sets and enforces the motor rules on Lake Arthur, with possible additional ordinances from Butler County or local municipalities. State boating officers and local law enforcement both patrol restricted waters.
Where do I verify the current rules for Lake Arthur?
Use the official document linked in the Sources section of this page — it is what this summary is based on — or go to Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission directly. We last verified this page against the source on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- Controlling document (administrative code): Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — pacodeandbulletin.gov
- Published and enforced by: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Date of our latest source check: