Small Bodies Of Water..... Motorized Vessels or Human Powered Vessels....??

[Crow Horse]

I'm not a boat guy and will openly admit that I don't know Shinola about them. I'm curious about what the general consensus is regarding how large a motor (or boat) would be considered reasonable on a 50 acre lake. A local lake is 50 acres and there are some large vessels that run it and there have been incidents where they have put kayaks in serious jeopardy. It seems to me that the large boats are out of place on such a small lake. Any thoughts on this?

 

Edit******  It's a 70 acre lake.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Most small lakes that even allow outboard motors have serious HP restrictions.  

 

On a 50 acre lake, I wouldn't even expect gas motors to be allowed.   A trolling motor and battery is more than enough for that size lake.   

 

I've fished a bunch of 100+ acre lakes that were electric only.    If they did allow gas motors, HP was usually capped at 10HP.  

[MediumMouthBass]

The lakes i fish are around 20, 50, 90, and 120 acres. Theres only ever bigger boats with high horsepower engines on the 90 acre one, because its a lake community full of potoons, speed boats, wake boats, big bass boats, jetskis....

The 120 acre lake is limited to 60HP and no boats over 20' allowed (not many guys here are using their engines though), the other lakes and ponds are either owned by the PA Fish and Boat Commission, or are county/state owned and have electric only restrictions.

 

Without these limitations i would probably chose to fish somewhere else, the 90 acre lake i only fish because its got great smallmouth and walleye population and i hug the bank whether on the kayak or jon boat. But i have to be very cautious on this lake during the summer months. Sometimes it wont even be worth the trip since if its crowded its nothing but wakes that will make it impossible to fish.  And the guys with the bass boats are usually doing the same thing i am, the jetskis and wake boats would crash into them if they tried fishing deeper water.

 

I think for places owned by the state, county, or something like a park should be limited to electric only if under 100, if over 100 but not by much maybe 10-25HP.

Since these are more for people to fish, kayak, enjoy nature.

 

For lakes that have many homes on them i think it should be up to them, the people fishing there are only guests, the ones who paid several hundred thousand or millions should be the deciding factor for whether or not they want to run jetskis, wakeboats, whatever else.

[Team9nine]

17 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Most small lakes that even allow outboard motors have serious HP restrictions.  

 

On a 50 acre lake, I wouldn't even expect gas motors to be allowed.   A trolling motor and battery is more than enough for that size lake.   

 

I've fished a bunch of 100+ acre lakes that were electric only.    If they did allow gas motors, HP was usually capped at 10HP.  

 

THIS ^^
 

Back in Indiana, it was state regulation that you could only run electric troll motors on any lake under 300 acres unless that lake was granted a legal exemption. Three of the four closest lakes to me in SC ranging from 300-800 acres have either 10 or 15 hp max limits on them. 

[Crow Horse]

 I stand corrected. The lake in question is 70 acres. It does have homes that surround parts of it.

 

7 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

For lakes that have many homes on them i think it should be up to them, the people fishing there are only guests, the ones who paid several hundred thousand or millions should be the deciding factor for whether or not they want to run jetskis, wakeboats, whatever else.

I have to respectfully disagree on this point. Solely based on he fact that just because they shelled out a lot of loot for their property doesn't exonerate them from being environmentally responsible. Assuming that the State does "own" this particular body of water and it falls under their purview, homeowners on the lake shouldn't supersede the State as they wish. .

[MediumMouthBass]

3 hours ago, Crow Horse said:

I have to respectfully disagree on this point. Solely based on he fact that just because they shelled out a lot of loot for their property doesn't exonerate them from being environmentally responsible. Assuming that the State does "own" this particular body of water and it falls under their purview, homeowners on the lake shouldn't supersede the State as they wish. .

Thats odd, havent heard of a smaller acreage state owned lake with homes on it.

Where i am in PA every lake is owned by all the homeowners or a small group of them and its their lake. Most are private with no public access

(There is one however thats owned by the state, but they gave access to the home owners across the street to put docks up)

 

The ones that are public access are still private owned lakes where they give a small parcel of land to the PAFBC to make a parking lot and boat launch and we are their guests to fish.

 

Which is what i was talking about, if they spend a ton of money they should do so as they please in my case, in yours thats a much different one. Then the state should have some restrictions if not alot.

[Crow Horse]

I'm positive that I don't have all the relevant information so I reached out to the NYS DEC to see if they can shed some light on it.

[gim]

50 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

 I stand corrected. The lake in question is 70 acres. It does have homes that surround parts of it.

 

I have to respectfully disagree on this point. Solely based on he fact that just because they shelled out a lot of loot for their property doesn't exonerate them from being environmentally responsible. Assuming that the State does "own" this particular body of water and it falls under their purview, homeowners on the lake shouldn't supersede the State as they wish. .

I am full agreement with this and will passionately fight homeowners from trying to “privatize” a body of water with rules they deem fit. The water here is public. Anyone can use it provided they can access it legally at an access site or public right of way.

 

Some lake associations have tried to implement rules and limit access on specific lakes during certain times. A lawsuit was filed, and they lost. Just because you have a house, cabin, mansion, or land on the lakeshore doesn’t mean you get to make up rules for a public waterbody. The state does that, not private citizens with an agenda.

 

As far as HP limitations, most of our lakes don’t have that sort of thing here. Some have “electric only” because of where they are (inner Twin Cities).

[GaryH]

Common sense and curtesy is more important than restriction. I run large lakes as well as electric only lakes. I’m running a 21’ bass boat with a 250 Yamaha. On smaller lakes that allow unlimited HP doesn’t mean you have to use it. There’s some I fish that I’m usually just above idle to show curtesy to smaller boats,canoes or kayaks. The biggest issue on small lakes or huge lakes is inconsiderate or ignorant boaters that don’t know or care of the rules or curtesy on the water. Get whatever size boat that will fit your wants or needs. Good luck on your search.

 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

Common sense and courtesy are important.

Agreed. 

Seems Common Sense and Common Courtesy aren’t that Common Anymore.

Might even be perishable skills that need to be continuously renewed through practice.

Hard to do when so many of todays 'role models' never got the memo.

And it's only February.

A-Jay

 

[Crow Horse]

1 hour ago, GaryH said:

Common sense and curtesy is more important than restriction.

This is so very true but in this part of rural upstate NY common sense and courtesy is in short supply.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for a motorized boat. I'm very happy paddling around in my small yak. The body of water that I'm questioning does produce some really large bass but I won't fish it just because of the powered boats on it. I love the quietude and having to listen to a boat at WOT kills that serenity for me. I also don't find the possibility of getting swamped & turttling very appealing. I just want to fish without the worry of taking an unplanned swim or worse.

[A-Jay]

24 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

This is so very true but in this part of rural upstate NY common sense and courtesy is in short supply.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not looking for a motorized boat. I'm very happy paddling around in my small yak. The body of water that I'm questioning does produce some really large bass but I won't fish it just because of the powered boats on it. I love the quietude and having to listen to a boat at WOT kills that serenity for me. I also don't find the possibility of getting swamped & turttling very appealing. I just want to fish without the worry of taking an unplanned swim or worse.

I get it.

Back when I was an exclusive Old Town Canoe angler,

I had to pick my spots.

Some lakes here even some smaller ones, are 'designated' as 'Recreational Lakes'.

Which is another way of saying free for all.

Jet Skis, Water skiers, boats pulling tubes and those inflatable couch looking deals.

(What's up with that ?)

Any way, there was No way I could fish in that mess and even when I tried,

the fish seemed to feel the same as me about what was happening over their heads.

If I wanted to fish these places, I would either fish super early and leave before these folks rolled out of the rack, OR fish mid-week in the middle of the night. 

Early & late season before/after they had put their units up for the season, I could fish whenever.

But mid day during the peak of the summer was out of the question.

I don't even do that now with the Pro-V Bass. 

I often took the path of least resistance and fish places that I needed to portage my rig just to get away from the insanity; still do that now.  Especially when I'm with my wife. 

Whatever inconvenience I needed to endure to get away from that deal, was much better than sitting it the middle of it.

We somehow managed to survive decades on the north Atlantic,

there's no way we're letting some spaz playing with his phone take us out on Lake Menderchuck.

Good Luck & Stay Safe.

A-Jay

 

[MIbassyaker]

There are quite a few lakes in the 30-200 acre range around here, and the vast majority do not have motor restrictions but probably should.  And unless the lake is entirely on public land, there are private homes, even on the smallest ones.

[Skunkmaster-k]

10 HP sounds about right. 

[Crow Horse]

28 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I get it.

Back when I was an exclusive Old Town Canoe angler,

I had to pick my spots.

Some lakes here even some smaller ones, are 'designated' as 'Recreational Lakes'.

Which is another way of saying free for all.

Jet Skis, Water skiers, boats pulling tubes and those inflatable couch looking deals.

(What's up with that ?)

Any way, there was No way I could fish in that mess and even when I tried,

the fish seemed to feel the same as me about what was happening over their heads.

If I wanted to fish these places, I would either fish super early and leave before these folks rolled out of the rack, OR fish mid-week in the middle of the night. 

Early & late season before/after they had put their units up for the season, I could fish whenever.

But mid day during the peak of the summer was out of the question.

I don't even do that now with the Pro-V Bass. 

I often took the path of least resistance and fish places that I needed to portage my rig just to get away from the insanity; still do that now.  Especially when I'm with my wife. 

Whatever inconvenience I needed to endure to get away from that deal, was much better than sitting it the middle of it.

We somehow managed to survive decades on the north Atlantic,

there's no way we're letting some spaz playing with his phone take us out on Lake Menderchuck.

Good Luck & Stay Safe.

A-Jay

 

Agreed 1000%.

I might add one item to my list of pet peeves that boils my blood. There's not much worse in my book to be on a beautiful pond or lake and basking in all it's glory only to have a choir of drunken campers or boaters  broadcast every stupid thought that enters their head laced with profanities and fueled by alcohol. Even worse is when their kids are present.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Most private HOA type lakes aren't actually owned by the HOA or home owners at least around me.    

 

These types of lakes are managed by an independent trust or company where the homeowner's property ends at the water's edge.    They have boards where the members are drawn from the surrounding homes/properties.    

 

FWIW the typical 50lb thrust trolling motor is roughly 2.5HP.    Plenty of off the shelf 5HP trolling motors are available.   Over the next few years, smaller lakes are going to have to wrestle with the incredible leaps in battery and electric motor tech.       

[MonsterZero]

7 hours ago, gim said:

I am full agreement with this and will passionately fight homeowners from trying to “privatize” a body of water with rules they deem fit. The water here is public. Anyone can use it provided they can access it legally at an access site or public right of way.

 

Some lake associations have tried to implement rules and limit access on specific lakes during certain times. A lawsuit was filed, and they lost. Just because you have a house, cabin, mansion, or land on the lakeshore doesn’t mean you get to make up rules for a public waterbody. The state does that, not private citizens with an agenda.

 

As far as HP limitations, most of our lakes don’t have that sort of thing here. Some have “electric only” because of where they are (inner Twin Cities).

The area I just moved to is the opposite; nearly all of the fresh bodies of water are privately owned. There are some real beauties that I drive by often, with tall fences, locked gates, and signage everywhere to keep everyone else out. It is...frustrating.

[gim]

5 minutes ago, MonsterZero said:

The area I just moved to is the opposite; nearly all of the fresh bodies of water are privately owned. There are some real beauties that I drive by often, with tall fences, locked gates, and signage everywhere to keep everyone else out. It is...frustrating.

 

If the waterbody is man made and completely surrounded by private property, with no access, then that's how it goes.

 

Luckily here, nearly all of the lakes are natural and have some form of public access.

[Crow Horse]

A couple of other facts about the lake in question. In the summer months, a canoe,kayak, & row boat "lane" is roped off around the perimeter of the lake. I don't know who installs this, either the Town or the Lake association. There is a State access/hand launch site. It is a natural kettle lake.

[gim]

14 minutes ago, Crow Horse said:

In the summer months, a canoe,kayak, & row boat "lane" is roped off around the perimeter of the lake.

 

There are quite a few areas on our lakes here that are designated as "no wake" zones.  Generally speaking, they are on smaller bays, near accesses, and in channels connecting larger portions of the lake to one another.

 

One lake I frequent in the spring/early summer has a sizable area marked off as no wake, and this is also where a swimming beach is located too.

[FishTax]

We have several lakes down there that are gov't owned (city water supply), and they have 'electric only' areas marked on the lake. I like that because I can expect calm water in those areas, or if it's a slow boater day I can go onto the 'main lake' with the big guns. The good thing about city water lakes is you can't ski in them so it doesn't get too hectic on that front. 

Big motors in small lakes seem like a bad idea for a variety of reasons, almost all of them which come to my mind are safety related. I'd go somewhere else personally. 

[Bluebasser86]

I fish a lot of small bodies of water, less than 200 acres. Some are no wake, some electric only, and some have no restrictions. I'm always shocked how many people feel the need to run WOT on a 100 acre lake, or how many will disregard speed limits and wake restrictions. The problem on smaller lakes, is there is less area to avoid those people and the lake gets to be like a washing machine, with waves going everywhere, which are much more difficult to ride out on a small boat or kayak. 

 

I'm pretty much the man powered/electric powered side of things everywhere I go anymore. I fish a lot of reservoirs much larger than my normal state lakes and get around just fine. It just takes some planning and forethought to try and prevent issues. It's much easier for me to avoid issues on big lakes typically than it is on small lakes with no restrictions. 

[Crow Horse]

I heard back from the DEC.....

 

Greetings, I was curious to know why Guilford Lake in Chenango County isn't "electric only" vessels. The lake is only 70 acres and they are some large vessels with high horsepower motors. It seems that the lake is too small to environmentally and safely accommodate them. Any information you can provide will be helpful.

"The DEC has an access facility along the one shore of the lake, but does not own the lake itself so we cannot make boating regulations on Guilford Lake. I don’t disagree with you however. Let me know if you have any further questions,"