Ohio: Boat Motor Rules by Lake
5 electric-only · 1 no-motor · 4 hp-limit · 1 all-lake no-wake lakes in our database
Quick answer
Ohio sets motor rules lake by lake, not statewide. Boating on Ohio's inland lakes is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft, with lake-specific rules codified in Ohio Administrative Code chapter 1501:47. Ohio tiers its state park lakes: some allow no powercraft at all, some are electric-motors-only, some carry a 10-horsepower cap, and others allow unlimited horsepower either at no-wake/idle speed only or with full-speed zones. Where no lake-specific rule applies, the default on state park lakes is a 10 mph speed limit except in designated speed, ski, or open zones (OAC 1501:47-3-08), and general Ohio Revised Code chapter 1547 operating laws apply on all waters of the state. Every lake below links to the official rule it summarizes, with a verification date.
Who regulates Ohio lakes
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft
- Ohio Administrative Code (Ohio Laws / Legislative Service Commission)
Ohio's state park lake motor tiers are set by rule rather than lake-by-lake ordinances: OAC 1501:47-3-16 (no powercraft), 1501:47-3-17 (electric motors only, 21 park areas), 1501:47-3-18 (idle-speed/no-wake entire lake), 1501:47-3-19 (10 hp limit, 6 parks), 1501:47-3-20 (unlimited horsepower lakes), and 1501:47-3-37 (unlimited horsepower but motors over 10 hp restricted to idle/no-wake speed). Rule amendments effective June 30, 2023 moved several formerly 10-hp lakes (e.g., Acton Lake at Hueston Woods, Burr Oak) into the unlimited-horsepower-at-no-wake tier. A default 10 mph speed limit applies on state park lakes outside designated speed/ski zones (OAC 1501:47-3-08), and electric-only lakes additionally require no-wake operation. Operators of boats over 10 hp born on or after Jan 1, 1982 must have completed boater education.
Motor restrictions on Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cowan Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | Clinton | |
| Findley Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Lorain | |
| Guilford Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | Columbiana | |
| Harrison Lake | Slow-No-Wake Entire Lake | — | Fulton | |
| Kiser Lake | No Motors Allowed | — | Champaign | |
| Lake Hope | Electric Motors Only | — | Vinton | |
| Lake Logan | 10 HP limit | 10 | Hocking | |
| Punderson Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Geauga | |
| Rose Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Hocking | |
| Stonelick Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Clermont | |
| Wolf Run Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | Noble |
Browse by restriction type
Frequently asked questions
Who sets lake motor rules in Ohio?
Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft and Ohio Administrative Code (Ohio Laws / Legislative Service Commission) set and publish boating restrictions for Ohio waters, and counties or cities can layer local ordinances on top. In short: Boating on Ohio's inland lakes is regulated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft, with lake-specific rules codified in Ohio Administrative Code chapter 1501:47. Ohio tiers its state park lakes: some allow no powercraft at all, some are electric-motors-only, some carry a 10-horsepower cap, and others allow unlimited horsepower either at no-wake/idle speed only or with full-speed zones. Where no lake-specific rule applies, the default on state park lakes is a 10 mph speed limit except in designated speed, ski, or open zones (OAC 1501:47-3-08), and general Ohio Revised Code chapter 1547 operating laws apply on all waters of the state.
Are lakes electric-only by default in Ohio?
Not statewide, but many managed lakes are. Our Ohio 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: Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft (https://ohiodnr.gov/rules-and-regulations/rules-and-regulations-by-division/state-parks-and-watercraft/boating-rules); Ohio Administrative Code (Ohio Laws / Legislative Service Commission) (https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-1501:47-3). 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 .