I was reading the '03/'04 DF&W regs, and spotted an interesting paragraph on p.20, bottom center. It says: "References in the Special Rules to 'motors prohibited' mean fishing from a floating device equipped with a motor is prohibited. "Internal combustion engines prohibited" means fishing from a floating device equipped with an internal combustion engine is prhoibited. 'Equipped with' means the motor is attached to the floating device, regardless of whether the motor is in the water."  End quote.

Ok, I understand this pretty well. It looks like they know the difference between an Internal Combustion Engine and an Electric Motor. Hooray!

However,  certain lakes have signs on the road to them that says (not verbatum): No Internal Combustion Engines allowed on this lake, by King County ordinance #-------/------.  The lakes I'm thinking of, Desire, Shadow, Shady, Spring (E. of Renton), Morton (E. of Kent), Holm (E. of Auburn) have these signs, but are not listed in the DF&W Regs as having special rules. Therefore, I take it that these lakes are "Electric Only" by County Ordinance, not DF&W regs.

The question, then, is what (in the heck!) are the County Ordinance's definitions as to what is legal for an "electric only lake"? I have always taken it to mean that if you aren't running the IC OutboardEngine, then you are legal, but after seeing this in the DF&W regs, I'm not so sure. Most of us have put our big boats in "Electric Only Lakes"; were we legal? If I can't do that anymore, I'm bummed. Chris? Anybody?

C&R, Steve

Hi Steve,

Somewhere on the forum here is a previous discussion of this issue. Jim Shaffer found the King County laws, and has them linked in that thread. I'm too lazy to find that thread, but may look after I type this.

After reading through those laws, it was clear that King County DOES NOT SAY you CANNOT have an internal combustion engine attached to the back of your boat for "No internal combustion engine" posted lakes. Go ahead and launch your boat on the lakes you listed.

The WDFW laws are like you said, only applied to lakes in the special rules section. The purpose of these is usually to give folks looking for a canoe/float tube-type experience a lake free of heavy boat traffic. Hence, there's only a few in there with this regulation. In fact, it's pretty dang rare when you consider how many small lakes are in our state.

To make a long post longer, the problem is that local homeowners don't understand the difference between state and county regulations. And you can end up getting hassled. To make it even worse, sometimes even law enforcement gets the regulations confused! I will continue to fish lakes with a IC engine-equipped boat (dang - need a boat) and would heartily challenge any ticket given to me by an officer. I have only heard of one occassion where someone was ticketed, and that was on Steele Lake. No bass in there anyways! 

State reg = don't fish with IC equipment
King County reg = go ahead.

I haven't tried to figure out the other counties yet...

Clear as mud,
Chris

Here is the link to the original thread:

http://www.westernbassclub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=WBC;action=display;num...

Chris

Thanks for the quick end to my confusion. My problem is that sometimes, I just need to stay away from the PWC's and skiboat people, to relax. I could take the canoe, but sometimes my back doesn't feel like hoisting it, or sitting in it. Sometimes, I like the canoe, but sometimes would rather fish from the hydroblaster. Now I feel free to do that. Phew!

By the way, I have heard that there has been a major Waterskiing Tournament on Lk. Ballinger, sponsored by the Lions Club, who have their big Country Club on Ballinger, as you know. MAYBE the Lions Club has more suck than WBC, or just more $$$, but I guess if you pay for the permit, you can break the law, legally. And of course, they'd close the public access, which is provided by DF&W??? (never been there)   Every year, I tell the City of Renton that I don't like the Limited Hydro Races out of Coulon, closing my access to my launch, but they get money for the permit and the merchants get money from entrants and spectators, so it goes on. 

C&R, Steve

   

I would guess that if you don't have the boat keys in the boat, it should be legal. Let the cops search the boat...insist on it. Homeowners can be ticketed for harassment, and a lot of them should be. I will say, however, that homeowner's react way better to a canoe, than a bass boat, even on lakes that allow IC engines.

C&R, Steve

Well I am a cop and wouldn't know what to do. Now I don't work as a King County Deputy, so I guess it depends on which Deputy would stop you. Most won't write you (a citation) if they aren't sure of the rules. they may just ask you leave or something. Some may say that they dont care if you aren't running the motor. The biggest problem would be with the homeowners pitchin a fit. This would make the police feel they have to do something. Since we are public slaves..I mean servants. An officer with Fish and Game might have a different look on it. i would say take your chances. Some of thes lakes are good fisheries, especially if gas goes to 5 bucks a gallon this summer. You can always play dumb, and see if it works. If you ask the right peolpe...you may get the right answer, and you might not like it. Dont ask, dont tell would be may view. know if I see WBC members I might cite you guys even out of my jurisdiction, to keep the water for myself....just kidding. I'll only cite Mike W.