Watch the rules on them Internal Combustion Engines.

[AL WORRELLS KID]

  A friend and I pulled into one of the little lakes in the Kent / Auburn area to chat with a bud that was tubing and we barely got out of the truck when a Sheriff came out of no where and started in on us. He laughed and apologized after we told him we had just stopped to wag our Jaw's...

  So if I have a boat with both an electric trolling motor and a Gas Main Engine...... Can't I use this boat even if I only use my electric motor or my set of oars ?    I guess not!

"Internal Combustion Motors Prohibited Means, fishing from a floating device equipped
with an internal combustion motor, is not allowed."
(Can not have it mounted on the Boat, Period!)

Well no wonder the fishing is so good in these lakes.
 It keeps everyone out, that had enough cash left over to invest in something besides just a Fishing License.


(Equipped with a motor: A motor is attached to the floating device, regardless of whether the motor is in the water.)

[Stein]

There have been a few threads on this, seems like the question comes up almost every year.

In addition to the motor rules, many lakes have hours where you can't make a wake as well, always pays to double check the regs and read the sign at the boat launch.

It might come up on the WDFW app, not sure if it shows motor restrictions or not.

[KFhunter]

If you pull off the prop, and take out the gas tank, is the boat still "equipped with an internal combustion engine" ?

[hunthard]

Yes, you can't have a gas motor, working or not, attached to the boat.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Yes, you can't have a gas motor, working or not, attached to the boat.

In Bonaparte?  Since when?

[KFhunter]

Lost lake

I asked that question cause buddy thought he could just leave the engine trimmed all the way up

[KFhunter]

So buddy got off the phone with WDFW

WDFW said it depends on who has the restrictions on what body of water as to what's allowed or not.

"Can I remove the gas tank, and use my electric trolling motor"

WDFW: it depends on who has the restrictions, if its the county, a WDFW officer might not write you a ticket, but a Sherriff might, depending on their particular ordinance.

WDFW we have lakes where fishing you can't use internal combustion, but you can water ski with a gas powered ski boat

If its parks, that's a federal restriction, so you'll need to call them


So it is more complicated than it would seem.

[CP]

Usually it's in the county code.  For Snohomish, note the words "the propulsion of":

12.08.030 Motorboats -- Internal combustion motors prohibited.
Due to the inadequate flow or other factors where pollution from motor discharge is
aggravated by internal combustion motor discharge, or the pristine character of upland
lakes over 1,500 feet in elevation in danger of being seriously damaged, or the small size
(under 45 acres), or shallow depth, or a configuration rendering the of internal
combustion motor-powered watercraft hazardous, the propulsion of a motorboat in whole
or in part by an internal combustion motor is unlawful upon the following lakes:

[KFhunter]

Like my buddies boat, it takes 2 people or a hoist to get the engine off, but its got a nice electric engine

[CP]

Somewhere I saw some "guidelines" that stated you should remove the gas tank and bag the lower unit of the outboard if you can't remove it.

[Cylvertip]

If WDFW says they are prohibited in the regs, then yes, can't have it on the boat.  However, if is a county or city ordinance only, usually it just means you can't use it.

Like Lake Whatcom for.example.  The most popular boat launch is in Bellingham's city limits.  They do not allow two stroke motors, or at least not older ones. But they cannot keep you from having it on the boat. You can launch, use your electric to get out past the city limits, and then fire up the big motor with no issue.  Except maybe from Karen.