Michigan: Boat Motor Rules by Lake
5 electric-only · 4 no-motor · 3 all-lake no-wake lakes in our database
Quick answer
Michigan sets motor rules lake by lake, not statewide. Boating on Michigan's inland lakes is governed by Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994), administered and enforced by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Lake-specific restrictions are adopted as "local watercraft controls" — per-lake administrative rules (Michigan Admin Code R 281.700-series and newer WC-numbered orders) requested by local governments and published by the DNR by county. Where no local watercraft control exists, the statewide default applies: gas and electric motors are permitted, subject to statewide marine safety rules such as slow-no-wake operation near shore, docks, and swimmers, and statewide personal watercraft rules. Every lake below links to the official rule it summarizes, with a verification date.
Who regulates Michigan lakes
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Local Watercraft Controls
Michigan compiles all lake-specific motor and speed restrictions as county-by-county "local watercraft controls" on michigan.gov/dnr (Managing Resources > Laws > Controls). The state does not generally use horsepower caps; restrictions instead take the form of no-motorboat rules, electric-motor-only rules, whole-lake or time-based slow-no-wake rules, and mph speed limits (e.g., 35-50 mph on larger lakes). Under Michigan law a "motorboat" is any vessel propelled by machinery, so "no motorboat" lakes also prohibit electric motors. Statewide, personal watercraft may not be operated between sunset and 8 a.m., and vessels must observe slow-no-wake speed when within 100 feet of shore, docks, rafts, or anchored vessels while operating at more than slow-no-wake speed.
Motor restrictions on Michigan lakes
Click a column header to sort. Every row links to a full rules page with the official source.
| Lake | Motor rule | HP limit | County | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bass Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Oakland | |
| Cranberry Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | Oakland | |
| Dunham Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | Oakland | |
| Eagle Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Kalamazoo | |
| Freedom Lake | Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake | — | Washtenaw | |
| Gilbert Lake | Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake | — | Oakland | |
| Perry Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Oakland | |
| Round Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Kent | |
| Versluis Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Kent | |
| Walden Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | Kent | |
| Whites Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | Kalamazoo | |
| Wildwood Lake | Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake | — | Washtenaw |
Browse by restriction type
Frequently asked questions
Who sets lake motor rules in Michigan?
Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Local Watercraft Controls set and publish boating restrictions for Michigan waters, and counties or cities can layer local ordinances on top. In short: Boating on Michigan's inland lakes is governed by Part 801 (Marine Safety) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994), administered and enforced by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Lake-specific restrictions are adopted as "local watercraft controls" — per-lake administrative rules (Michigan Admin Code R 281.700-series and newer WC-numbered orders) requested by local governments and published by the DNR by county. Where no local watercraft control exists, the statewide default applies: gas and electric motors are permitted, subject to statewide marine safety rules such as slow-no-wake operation near shore, docks, and swimmers, and statewide personal watercraft rules.
Are lakes electric-only by default in Michigan?
Not statewide, but many managed lakes are. Our Michigan database currently lists 5 electric-only lakes. Agency-owned fishing lakes are the most common electric-only waters; large reservoirs usually allow gas motors. Each lake page cites the exact rule.
How do I find rules for a lake not listed here?
Go straight to the agency: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/boating); Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Local Watercraft Controls (https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/laws/controls). Search the lake name plus "boating regulations", or call the district office for the county. Our guide on who regulates your lake explains which agency to try first.
About this data
Each lake page cites the official regulation it summarizes (agency link and document type) and shows its own verification date. Data vintage: oldest verification .