New York: Boat Motor Rules by Lake
2 electric-only · 5 no-motor · 2 hp-limit · 1 zoned lakes in our database
Quick answer
New York sets motor rules lake by lake, not statewide. Recreational boating statewide is governed by the NYS Navigation Law, administered for pleasure vessels by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through its Marine Services Bureau. DEC separately regulates boating on the lands and waters it administers (Forest Preserve, state forests, wildlife management areas and campgrounds) under 6 NYCRR, and the Lake George Park Commission regulates Lake George. Municipalities may adopt local vessel regulations subject to state approval under Navigation Law 46-a. Absent a waterbody-specific rule, motorized boating is permitted subject to statewide speed, distance, registration and safety-certificate requirements. Every lake below links to the official rule it summarizes, with a verification date.
How New York's restricted lakes split
- No motors 5
- Electric only 2
- HP limit 2
- Zoned 1
Who regulates New York lakes
- New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Navigation Law 45(2) sets the default statewide speed rule: no vessel may be operated within 100 feet of the shore, a dock, pier, raft, float or an anchored or moored vessel at a speed exceeding 5 mph. Navigation Law 45(1) additionally requires speeds that are reasonable and prudent and prohibits reckless operation. Lake-specific statutes impose stricter limits on some waters, for example Navigation Law 45-aaaaaa caps Lamoka and Waneta lakes at 45 mph by day and 25 mph at night with 5 mph within 200 feet of shore. On DEC lands, 6 NYCRR 196.4 prohibits mechanically propelled vessels on listed Forest Preserve waters, 6 NYCRR 51.2(a) restricts wildlife management area waters to electric motors only, and 6 NYCRR 190.26 underlies the 10 HP limit on Hemlock and Canadice lakes. Under Brianna's Law, all operators of motorized vessels including personal watercraft must hold a state-approved boating safety certificate. PWCs face additional rules on regulated waters such as Lake George, where 6 NYCRR Subpart 646-2 limits PWC operation to 8 AM-7 PM and 5 mph within 500 feet of shore.
Motor restrictions on New York lakes
Click a column header to sort. Every row links to a full rules page with the official source.
| Lake | Motor rule | HP limit | Acres | County | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadice Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | — | Ontario | |
| Hemlock Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | — | Livingston | |
| Lake George | Zoned Restrictions | — | — | Warren | |
| Lake Lila | No Motors Allowed | — | 1,400 | Hamilton | |
| Lake Taghkanic | Electric Motors Only | — | — | Columbia | |
| Little Tupper Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | 2,300 | Hamilton | |
| Moreau Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | 122 | Saratoga | |
| North-South Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | 84 | Greene | |
| Quaker Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | 268 | Cattaraugus | |
| St. Regis Pond | No Motors Allowed | — | 388 | Franklin |
Browse by restriction type
Frequently asked questions
Who sets lake motor rules in New York?
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation set and publish boating restrictions for New York waters, and counties or cities can layer local ordinances on top. In short: Recreational boating statewide is governed by the NYS Navigation Law, administered for pleasure vessels by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation through its Marine Services Bureau. DEC separately regulates boating on the lands and waters it administers (Forest Preserve, state forests, wildlife management areas and campgrounds) under 6 NYCRR, and the Lake George Park Commission regulates Lake George. Municipalities may adopt local vessel regulations subject to state approval under Navigation Law 46-a. Absent a waterbody-specific rule, motorized boating is permitted subject to statewide speed, distance, registration and safety-certificate requirements.
Are lakes electric-only by default in New York?
Not statewide, but many managed lakes are. Our New York database currently lists 2 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: New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (https://parks.ny.gov/activities/boating); New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/boating). 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 .
Boating across state lines? Neighboring pages in our coverage loop: New Jersey lake motor rules and Ohio lake motor rules — same format, same official-source standard.