Springfield Lake Regs And The Pond Prowler

[Crappie G]

Hey all, fairly new to the forum. I've read a lot of posts and had a couple of questions about Springfield Lake. I own both a 12' V bottom boat and a 10' Pond Prowler, and I was curious if there are any rules about fishing your boat on the main lake near the dam or the marina. The marina area has a couple of buoys that say "do not" on them. I've heard several times about the 6hp limit on the lake, but have never found any other lake restrictions. I just never seem to see anyone with a boat on that main part of the lake. Any help would be great, thanks.

Also, does anyone know about having to license these little Pond Prowlers? You don't get a title when you buy them, so getting them registered with the state would be difficult. Anybody have any experience with this? Thanks.

[usmcgrunt]

I've seen a bunch of people out on the main body with boats. I think as long as you keep your horsepower below the limit there's really no problem. And as for your pond prowler, the regulations say this:

Boats/Vessels that are NOT required to be titled or registered in the state of Missouri if they are:

• Owned by out-of-state residents and housed, stored, or operated in the state of Missouri for less than 60 consecutive days;
  
• Owned by the United States Government;
  
• From a country other than the United States using the waters of this state for less than 60 consecutive days;
  
• Propelled solely by paddle or oars (regardless of length);
  
• Sailboats or sailboards 12 feet or less in length; or
  
• A ship's lifeboat used solely for lifesaving purposes.
  

So if you're planning on just paddling it around, you don't have to register it. But as soon as you put a motor on it, it has to be registered. I'm not sure about trolling motors, but seeing as how it's a motor and the state likes to get their money, I'd guess you'd need it registered. And as for the no title thing, as long as you still have the bill of sale you should be able to get one.

[tho1mas]

Yes, you have to have them inspected by the Water Patrol & apply for a title. That is if you want to use anything but a paddle.

It costs about $30 or so. Then you have to renew every 3 years. I have one.

[Hunter91]

We have fished that main lake area before and have done fairly well. We have a small jon boat with a 6hp on it also. I have seen those bouys also and would like to know what the rest of the bouy says also. Fun lake to fish.

[Crappie G]

Guys, thanks for all the info. I just have a bill of sale, so I will take that to the DMV and start from there. I will plan on fishing the main part of the lake when time allows.

[Big Fishin Fool]

Those buoys say Do Not Enter, and were supposed to be at Hwy 60 bridge during construction to keep people away from the bridge while large equipment was in the area. And yes as soon as you put a trolling motor on, you have to have the boat(pond prowler) registered.