Pennsylvania: Boat Motor Rules by Lake
5 electric-only · 5 hp-limit lakes in our database
Quick answer
Pennsylvania sets motor rules lake by lake, not statewide. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) regulates boating on all Pennsylvania waters under the Fish and Boat Code (Title 30) and its regulations in 58 Pa. Code. By default, motorboats of any horsepower may operate subject to statewide rules such as slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of shorelines, docks, and swimmers. Lake-specific motor and speed restrictions are codified county by county in 58 Pa. Code Chapter 111, and per 58 Pa. Code section 107.1 any horsepower cap applies to both internal combustion and electric motors. PFBC-owned lakes and most DCNR state park lakes are restricted to unpowered boats and electric motors operated at slow, no-wake speed. Every lake below links to the official rule it summarizes, with a verification date.
Who regulates Pennsylvania lakes
- Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
- Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Bureau of State Parks)
Per 58 Pa. Code section 107.1, horsepower limits in Chapter 111 apply to both internal combustion and electric motors; boats carrying larger motors may be on the water but the motors may not be used. Per 58 Pa. Code section 107.2, on waters where only electric motors are permitted, boats propelled by electric motors may not exceed slow, no-wake speed. Statewide, all boats must operate at slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of shorelines, docks, launch ramps, and swimmers. Motorboats must display current PA registration; unpowered boats on PFBC and state park lakes need registration or a launch/mooring permit. Several large state park lakes formerly hinted as 20 hp (Lake Arthur, Lake Marburg, Lake Nockamixon) remain capped at 20 hp per both the current Pa. Code and DCNR park pages (DCNR phrases it as "Maximum 20 hp/15 kWh motors permitted", extending the cap to electric motor power).
Motor restrictions on Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadohta Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | Crawford | |
| Lake Arthur | 20 HP limit | 20 | Butler | |
| Lake Marburg | 20 HP limit | 20 | York | |
| Lake Nockamixon | 20 HP limit | 20 | Bucks | |
| Lake Redman | Electric Motors Only | — | York | |
| Marsh Creek Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Chester | |
| Opossum Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Cumberland | |
| Pinchot Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | York | |
| Pymatuning Reservoir | 20 HP limit | 20 | Crawford | |
| Speedwell Forge Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Lancaster |
Browse by restriction type
Frequently asked questions
Who sets lake motor rules in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Bureau of State Parks) set and publish boating restrictions for Pennsylvania waters, and counties or cities can layer local ordinances on top. In short: The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) regulates boating on all Pennsylvania waters under the Fish and Boat Code (Title 30) and its regulations in 58 Pa. Code. By default, motorboats of any horsepower may operate subject to statewide rules such as slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of shorelines, docks, and swimmers. Lake-specific motor and speed restrictions are codified county by county in 58 Pa. Code Chapter 111, and per 58 Pa. Code section 107.1 any horsepower cap applies to both internal combustion and electric motors. PFBC-owned lakes and most DCNR state park lakes are restricted to unpowered boats and electric motors operated at slow, no-wake speed.
Are lakes electric-only by default in Pennsylvania?
Not statewide, but many managed lakes are. Our Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/fishandboat/boating/regulations); Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Bureau of State Parks) (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation/what-to-do/boating/where-to-boat). 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 .