Kayaking - Lake Hours of Operation (NYS)

[cheezledzul]

Just wondering if there are generally specific hours you can be on the water? I know it may vary by state but I have been unable to find any information online for the 3 local areas. I did find hours for 2 lakes at a local state park but those 2 lakes are the only ones in the state park that have beaches and boat launches. The hours were found among information for the beaches not boating/kayaking. I figured even if it were for the launches those 2 require the purchase of a separate key and if the hours were for the launch then they would have included the other 5 lakes in the state park. Even if the launches close can I just launch from shore? (shore launch is allowed)

 

I get home at 6:30pm weekdays and weekends have been thunderstorms non stop so I was hoping I could take out my kayak and 300 lumens headlamp and do some fishing at night.

 

If lakes generally dont have hours that you can be on the water in a boat/kayak then Ill just head out and see if I can find some info while there. If many do tend to have a time limit to be on the water I will call first. Theyve been hard to reach in the past so I am trying to see if you all have some info for me! Leaning towards hours not being a problem as long as the park is open.

 

Thanks

[Angry John]

The park itself may have time limits.  Lots of places dont strongly enforce time limits and there is an element of risk if you decide to go outside of those hours.  I fish all the time on ponds with no markings at all and have never been bothered.  I would have all required license and fees paid so if someone decides to question you, everything else is squared away.  I would also have all other gear to include required lighting for the size of your vessel and then try it.  If there is going to be a problem it will become apparent in a hurry and i dont think you will be penalized for one offence if your in the wrong.  If you are stopped and told your wrong i would follow their direction and not return as now you should know better.

[cheezledzul]

38 minutes ago, Angry John said:

The park itself may have time limits.  Lots of places dont strongly enforce time limits and there is an element of risk if you decide to go outside of those hours.  I fish all the time on ponds with no markings at all and have never been bothered.  I would have all required license and fees paid so if someone decides to question you, everything else is squared away.  I would also have all other gear to include required lighting for the size of your vessel and then try it.  If there is going to be a problem it will become apparent in a hurry and i dont think you will be penalized for one offence if your in the wrong.  If you are stopped and told your wrong i would follow their direction and not return as now you should know better.

Sounds good. I'm always compliant and whatnot so shouldnt hsve a problem if one arises. 

 

I found the following

the minimum kayak navigation light required under Rule 25 by U.S.C.G. is "an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision."

 

This means a 300 lumen headlamp should be sufficient? Theres nothing stating any specific lighting is needed or perminately fixed to the kayak. 

[Angry John]

I do what you describe but i don't fish with any traffic or other boats present.  If you do i would highly recommend getting a lighted whip light with flag.  A lot of them are battery powered and run on AAA batteries.  If you run rechargeables then its very low budget.  If you want an idea of what i am talking about yak attack makes several

[cheezledzul]

14 minutes ago, Angry John said:

I do what you describe but i don't fish with any traffic or other boats present.  If you do i would highly recommend getting a lighted whip light with flag.  A lot of them are battery powered and run on AAA batteries.  If you run rechargeables then its very low budget.  If you want an idea of what i am talking about yak attack makes several

I have 2 small, good lights for the back of my road bike. It has settings for different flash and solid modes. I'll probably clip one to my back and one on the front of the yak to use once it gets dark. but I highly doubt I'll see anyone else on the water anyways. Those should be sufficient as warning lights. 

[flyfisher]

Here in VA each lake is different and if it doesn't expressly say closes an hour after sunset or whatever the assumption is the lake is open.  There are only a few around me that allow night fishing unfortunately so i am limited but it is nee since the lake is electric only as well which makes things safer.  

 

 

[Mikeltee]

In Indiana, if the sun is down, you have to have your red and green bow lights and a white light that can been seen from any direction as well as no wake. Your headband wont cut it. It needs to be seen from 360 degrees. Even if your state doesn't require this, common sense does. Someone coming behind you is not going to see you with your headband. Now most likely they will be in no wake mode, but still... why risk it.

 

I have only been a rec boater, but when im behind the wheel, my head is on a swivel. I stand up so I can see everything even at 70mph. With 20 years on the water, I must admit that I am not the norm.

 

Be careful out there brother

[flyfisher]

Red and green lights are only for boats under power though from what i understand as it indicates a boat that can move out of the way of harm so they don't recommend them for kayaks or human powered vessels.

59 minutes ago, Mikeltee said:

In Indiana, if the sun is down, you have to have your red and green bow lights and a white light that can been seen from any direction as well as no wake. Your headband wont cut it. It needs to be seen from 360 degrees. Even if your state doesn't require this, common sense does. Someone coming behind you is not going to see you with your headband. Now most likely they will be in no wake mode, but still... why risk it.

 

I have only been a rec boater, but when im behind the wheel, my head is on a swivel. I stand up so I can see everything even at 70mph. With 20 years on the water, I must admit that I am not the norm.

 

Be careful out there brother

 

[TOXIC]

I posted the USCG rules in another post but you need to use your common sense.  If you are on a lake at night with other boat traffic I would use the full spectrum of lights both nav and anchor.  Easily purchased and battery powered.

 

Although night fishing is a very productive technique, I rarely do it because I have a 21 foot boat and all of the waters I fish are heavily used public waters.  I do occasionally night fish when I am in Wisconsin but the parade of pontoons out on their nightly booze cruises is very annoying.  For those that do kayak, make sure you are withing USCG guidelines.  My brother in law is a big night fisherman and for Christmas one year I bought him a full set of nav lights for his yak. 

 

• A sailing vessel, or one under oars, of less than 7 meters in length shall if practical exhibit red and green sidelights, and a stern light visible from at least one mile away. However if she does not, she can have ready at hand an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

[cheezledzul]

35 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

I posted the USCG rules in another post but you need to use your common sense.  If you are on a lake at night with other boat traffic I would use the full spectrum of lights both nav and anchor.  Easily purchased and battery powered.

 

Although night fishing is a very productive technique, I rarely do it because I have a 21 foot boat and all of the waters I fish are heavily used public waters.  I do occasionally night fish when I am in Wisconsin but the parade of pontoons out on their nightly booze cruises is very annoying.  For those that do kayak, make sure you are withing USCG guidelines.  My brother in law is a big night fisherman and for Christmas one year I bought him a full set of nav lights for his yak. 

Would you happen to remember what lights you bought your in law?

 

My local lakes are pretty small and dont have a lot of boat traffic even during the day on weekends. At least not anything motorized. maybe 1-2 with more of a trolling motor if anything. I think one of the lakes might not allow a motor or restrict to gas anyways. 

Those are both about 15 min away and I'll be going to them most often till I become a more experienced fisherman. In addition to my headlamp I'll probably use my bike lights for the front and back for now which are actually very strong for their size. 

I'll look for some deals on quality kayak nav lights so I'll have them for bigger trips and random busy local nights. 

 

Thanks everyone, tight lines!

[TOXIC]

A google search will give you a lot of choices.  I would go to one of the Yak specific sites and see what they use.  

[J Francho]

13 hours ago, cheezledzul said:

This means a 300 lumen headlamp should be sufficient?

No.  You need to have light emitting 360°.  Scotty, Yakattack, and others make suitable lights for this.  I use a Yakattack VisiCarbon light.  Most lakes have no hours.  Launches may close, however.  The hours would be clearly posted.

[moguy1973]

Coast guard requirements are if you are moving and under way all you need is a flashlight that can be readied in time to attract attention before a collision occurs.  If you are anchored you need a 360* white light.

 

 

[Angry John]

In other kayak night fishing and light news, I found 2 motorcycle break lights on Amazon for 10 bucks that are waterproof rated and plan on running red below the inside lips so I can see and people can see me.  It's not fool proof but that along with a 360 white marker light is easy and adds a lot of convenience.