I took my boat to go fishing at a local public lake which is maintained by the local parks and recreation department. When I arrived at the boat launch, I was met by a employee of the rec department. He told me I could not launch my boat because it is too long. My boat is 17 1/2 feet long. The lake limit is 16 feet 11 inches. They are VERY strict on the rules and regulations. So I am 7 inches too long to launch. Believe it or not, there isn't a maximum horsepower rule for the lake other than the motor cannot exceed what the boat's hp rating. Keep in mind, these rules were put in place 30 years or more ago. I am trying to submit something to the board of the rec dept. to have the lake rules and regulations updated. Can you still buy a bass boat that small? Even if you could, who would want to buy it? That seems dangerous. I know I would end up snagging someone or I would get snagged simply because of being in a small boat.
I had a nice long chat with the person in charge of the lake division and he said he would love to see the rules get changed and updated. I explained to him that I am not trying to get on the water to ski or joyride. I will probably will only use the trolling motor anyway. My father is 67 years old and still is in pretty good shape and he enjoys to fish. I would like to be able to take my father fishing somewhere local in case there was an emergency as opposed to taking him to a huge lake that is a hour and half away; not to mention having to spend $3 a gallon to get there.
What I need from you guys is for you to tell me any local lakes uner 300 acres that you know of that allow boats over 17 1/2 feet on the water or any local lakes that do not have a length limit. The lake I am trying to get my boat in is around 170+ acres, so any lake close to that as possible would be a great help. If I can produce several comparable lakes that don't have a length limit or at least a limit longer than 17 1/2 feet, the board will consider the change.
Please help!
Rusty
I had a nice long chat with the person in charge of the lake division and he said he would love to see the rules get changed and updated. I explained to him that I am not trying to get on the water to ski or joyride. I will probably will only use the trolling motor anyway. My father is 67 years old and still is in pretty good shape and he enjoys to fish. I would like to be able to take my father fishing somewhere local in case there was an emergency as opposed to taking him to a huge lake that is a hour and half away; not to mention having to spend $3 a gallon to get there.
What I need from you guys is for you to tell me any local lakes uner 300 acres that you know of that allow boats over 17 1/2 feet on the water or any local lakes that do not have a length limit. The lake I am trying to get my boat in is around 170+ acres, so any lake close to that as possible would be a great help. If I can produce several comparable lakes that don't have a length limit or at least a limit longer than 17 1/2 feet, the board will consider the change.
Please help!
Rusty
