Occaquan Fishing Boat Question

[Brian74]

I'm new to Lake Ridge; I just moved in this week and I have a question that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere...

 

I have read that the boat gas engine limit is 10 hp. I am still kind of confused about the actual terms of this rule specifically for the Occaquan resorvior. I have read different inland VA resorvoirs have diffferent variations of this rule, but I have found nothing pertaining to the Occaquan.

 

I have a 17 ft. bass boat with a 150 hp gas outboard and an 80lb electric trolling motor.

 

Am I still allowed to launch and use this boat in the Occaquan Resorvoir if I run it only on the electric trolling motor?

 

...or does this rule mean that a boat is not allowed in the resorvoir if it has any engine over 10 HP bolted on to it?

 

Also, does anyone know where I can find where this rule is written?

 

 

Thanks.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

I personally have seen people with bigger outboards tilled all the way up. I am not sure if they have gotten in trouble or not. You may want to contact the prince William county park authority for clarification. I am pretty sure as long as they don't catch you using your outboard you will be fine.

On a side note I do tournaments on that same reservoir and occasionally need a partner if your interested.

Jay-

[mudkart]

Lots of boats launch w/ OBs over the limit on the reservoir, they just don't use the OB.  I've never seen or heard of them being hassled, other than to disconnect the fuel line.  

 

   This appears to be the interpretation of the rule on many VA hp-restricted waters, e.g. the same thing goes on @ Briery and Burke (which is "electric only').  

 

Twice last spring (on the Occ. Rez) I watched a guy motor by in his pontoon powered by a 40hp Yammy; blissfully unaware of the restriction, or confident VADGIF would not be around.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

The head row team guy has approval to have a larger motor on his pontoons. But I have seen others not know and fly around the Occoquan reservoir.

Jay

[quanjig]

You can only run and operate an outboard of 10hp or less. You may fish from a larger platform, just not use the ob.

[TheLastRodBender]

it also depends what part of the res you're launching from... if you launch out of Occoquan State Park... that opens up to the potomac and there's no restriction on HP.... 

[Traveler2586]

I'm new to Lake Ridge; I just moved in this week and I have a question that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere...

 

I have read that the boat gas engine limit is 10 hp. I am still kind of confused about the actual terms of this rule specifically for the Occaquan reservoir. I have read different inland VA reservoirs have different variations of this rule, but I have found nothing pertaining to the Occaquan.

 

I have a 17 ft. bass boat with a 150 hp gas outboard and an 80lb electric trolling motor.

 

Am I still allowed to launch and use this boat in the Occaquan Reservoir if I run it only on the electric trolling motor?

 

...or does this rule mean that a boat is not allowed in the reservoir if it has any engine over 10 HP bolted on to it?

 

Also, does anyone know where I can find where this rule is written?

 

 

Thanks.

Don't know about the Occaquan Reservoir but I have fished several low hp and electric only reservoirs in Maryland with my 18.5 ft glass boat with a 150 Merc.  In talking with DNR I was told that if i could not remove my fuel line I could do one of two things; 1. remove the prop, 2. wrap the lower unit in a plastic trash bag with duck tape.  They also said to keep the motor raised out of the water.  On some reservoirs they ask for the lower unit to be bagged to prevent oil/fuel contamination of the water.

 

Try shooting off an email to VA DGIF with your question  at http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/contact/

 

Or try calling one of these locations:

 

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Headquarters

5400 Ox Road

Fairfax Station, VA 22039

Phone: (703) 352-5900

TDD: (703) 352-3165

FAX: (703) 273-0905

Email: Info@NVRPA.org

WEB: Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. � 4:30 p.m.

Lake Ridge Park

Prince William County Park Authority

12350 Cotton Mill Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

Marina: (703) 494-5288

TTY: (703) 791-4068

WEB: Prince William County Park Authority

[Brian74]

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. It sounds like it shouldn't be an issue.

[Brian74]

I personally have seen people with bigger outboards tilled all the way up. I am not sure if they have gotten in trouble or not. You may want to contact the prince William county park authority for clarification. I am pretty sure as long as they don't catch you using your outboard you will be fine.

On a side note I do tournaments on that same reservoir and occasionally need a partner if your interested.

Jay-

Yes, possibly; I have not done any bass fishing in a long time, though. If you don't mind getting me up to speed a bit on local technique then I would be interested.

[Mully]

I know it's a bit off topic and not helpful in anyway but does anybody know of a few marinas that rent out boats besides the ones at Burke Lake and Fountain Head park? I don't have a boat of my own and really need to get access to better locations that only a boat will get to.

[Bill the Best Fisherman EVER]

http://princewilliamcounty.elaws.us/code/coor_ch16_sec16-54

The law. Always look at the statutes as enacted into law.