Lake Redman (PA): Motor & Boating Rules
York County · near Jacobus · managed by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Gas outboard: NO
- Electric trolling: YES
- PWC / jet ski: NO
Quick answer
Lake Redman is an electric-only water. Gasoline engines are banned outright. Trolling motors of any thrust rating are legal. Lake Redman in PA is restricted to electric motors only — gasoline engines are prohibited under Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations (verified July 14, 2026). Most anglers here run 30–55 lb thrust off a 12 V battery. 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 | Electric Motors Only |
|---|---|
| Horsepower limit | n/a |
| Electric trolling motors | YES |
| Gas outboards | NO |
| PWC / jet skis | NO |
| Wake rule | slow, no-wake (statewide rule for electric-only waters, 58 Pa. Code 107.2) |
| Hours rule | None listed for Lake Redman |
| Zones | All of Lake Redman, no zones listed |
| Managing body | County government: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission |
| Official source | Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — pacodeandbulletin.gov |
| Last verified |
What this means in practice
Electric-only means the hull can be almost anything — the power source is what matters. The typical setup on Lake Redman is a transom-mount trolling motor in the 30–55 lb thrust range on a deep-cycle 12 V battery. Thrust is not horsepower: 55 lb of thrust moves a small boat at roughly walking pace. Our guide on what electric-only really means covers setups and run time.
Watch the detail that trips people up: a gas outboard left tilted up on the transom is still a gas motor on the boat. Some agencies tolerate it unused; others treat any attached combustion engine as a violation. On Lake Redman, the safe play is to leave the gas motor at home unless Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission says otherwise in writing.
Worth knowing about Lake Redman: Water-supply reservoir owned by the York Water Company within York County's William H. Kain County Park. Adjacent Lake Williams carries the same electric-only rule, plus a 100-ft keep-out around dams. William H. Kain County Park.
Common mistakes on Electric only water
Ignoring the fine print. Most electric-only rules cap the power source, not the motor's size — but a few local rules do add size or mounting conditions. The notes on this page carry anything lake-specific we verified for Lake Redman.
Forgetting registration. In most states a kayak becomes a registrable motorboat the moment a trolling motor goes on. Paperwork stops here are more common than speed stops.
Before you launch — verify
- Official rules: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Unsure about a detail? Call the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission district office that covers York County before towing your boat out.
- We last verified this page on .
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 Redman?
No. Gasoline engines are prohibited on Lake Redman; the lake is limited to electric motors. Verified July 14, 2026.
Can I use an electric trolling motor on Lake Redman?
Yes. Electric trolling motors are allowed on Lake Redman. 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 Lake Redman?
No — PWC cannot legally run here. The motor restriction on Lake Redman rules them out along with other powered craft.
Who enforces boating rules on Lake Redman?
The rules summarized here come from Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (county government), with possible additional ordinances from York 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 Redman?
The Sources section links the exact regulation we summarized, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission publishes the live version. This page was last checked against it on July 14, 2026.
Sources
- Administrative code: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission — pacodeandbulletin.gov
- Managing agency: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Last verified against the source: