Virginia: Boat Motor Rules by Lake
10 electric-only · 2 hp-limit lakes in our database
Quick answer
Virginia sets motor rules lake by lake, not statewide. Recreational boating in Virginia is administered by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) under Title 29.1 of the Code of Virginia, with regulations codified in the Virginia Administrative Code (Title 4, Agency 15). By default, motorboats may operate on public lakes without horsepower limits unless a specific state regulation or a DWR-approved local ordinance restricts them. However, on lakes owned or controlled by DWR, 4VAC15-320-100 prohibits boats propelled by gasoline motors or sail unless otherwise posted, so electric trolling motors are the norm on the department's fishing lakes. Every lake below links to the official rule it summarizes, with a verification date.
Who regulates Virginia lakes
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Virginia State Parks)
4VAC15-320-100 (verified at law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title4/agency15/chapter320/section100/) provides that on any department-owned or department-controlled lake, pond, or stream, "the use of boats propelled by a gasoline motor or sail is prohibited" unless otherwise posted, with an exception for official duties. Individual DWR lake pages at dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/ state each lake's specific rule; a few DWR-managed reservoirs (e.g., Briery Creek Lake and Sandy River Reservoir) are posted for outboards of 10 hp or less instead of electric-only. Localities may adopt additional DWR-approved boating ordinances (e.g., no-wake zones) on other waters.
Motor restrictions on Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albemarle Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Albemarle | |
| Amelia Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Amelia | |
| Briery Creek Lake | 10 HP limit | 10 | Prince Edward | |
| Lake Brittle | Electric Motors Only | — | Fauquier | |
| Lake Conner | Electric Motors Only | — | Halifax | |
| Lake Curtis | Electric Motors Only | — | Stafford | |
| Lake Frederick | Electric Motors Only | — | Frederick | |
| Lake Orange | Electric Motors Only | — | Orange | |
| Lake Robertson | Electric Motors Only | — | Rockbridge | |
| Powhatan Lakes | Electric Motors Only | — | Powhatan | |
| Sandy River Reservoir | 10 HP limit | 10 | Prince Edward | |
| Swift Creek Lake | Electric Motors Only | — | Chesterfield |
Browse by restriction type
Frequently asked questions
Who sets lake motor rules in Virginia?
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Virginia State Parks) set and publish boating restrictions for Virginia waters, and counties or cities can layer local ordinances on top. In short: Recreational boating in Virginia is administered by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) under Title 29.1 of the Code of Virginia, with regulations codified in the Virginia Administrative Code (Title 4, Agency 15). By default, motorboats may operate on public lakes without horsepower limits unless a specific state regulation or a DWR-approved local ordinance restricts them. However, on lakes owned or controlled by DWR, 4VAC15-320-100 prohibits boats propelled by gasoline motors or sail unless otherwise posted, so electric trolling motors are the norm on the department's fishing lakes.
Are lakes electric-only by default in Virginia?
Not statewide, but many managed lakes are. Our Virginia database currently lists 10 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: Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (https://dwr.virginia.gov/boating/); Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Virginia State Parks) (https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/). 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 .