Springfield Lake Motor Limit?

[Bassmaster21]

Is there still a hp limit for springfiled Lake? As far as I know it is still 6hp but I have seen an increasing number of people with 10,15,25,35, and even 40 horse motors on the lake. And even if they dont open them all the way up is it not illegal to just have them on the boat? It is not as much an issue with them using the motors as it is the more ppl out there with big motors the less room for people with only small stuff. Waters get crowded and there are other places those people could go where kayakers and canoers cannot.

[jbtiwns30]

ya you need to call someone about that. its only a 6 horse moter or less. you can not use anything bigger or its a fine if your caught.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I suspect it's a matter of enforcement. The city could probably financially justify putting people at the ramps to write tickets, but that doesn't seem to be the cities focus. They could have paid for a couple of officers and made 65 safer during the construction, but they didn't and people drove 70 in the construction zones regularly.

I think a better plan would be to allow all boats with a speed limit west of the RR bridge and allow nothing but electrics and paddles east.

[river angler man]

you know it use to say under the conservation page that while the HP limit is 6, you could have larger ones if you used them at "trolling no-wake speeds" is how they put it. But it looks like now they got rid of that and just say 6hp limit.

[Dutch]

We used to be allowed to use any boat with what ever size engine as long as the gas engine was trimmed up and not run but some just wouldn't follow the rules so things changed.

Now the hp limit is enforced by the Spfld. police department and they may have more important things to do most of the time. That is not to say that they won't be around and give tickets to violaters time to time and that is enough to keep my boat off.

[Bassmaster21]

Well unfortunately that is how a lot of things go. There ARE more important things for city police and conservation to enforce and a lake like springfield often gets lost. The bummer is that people have less morals these days. They know it is weakly enforced so they break the rules without hesitation where I would HOPE that most people would just be law abiding citizens. Oh well I guess it wont be a big issue to most unless something serious happens like someone capsizing and injuring/drowning somebody by running a motor too big and not safely.

[rntmvp6]

My opinion is the city or conservation dept is one sided on this issue. It's the dumbest law I have ever heard and I have lived and fished several different states conservation lakes. I live 20 min from the lake and have never fished there because of this law. I would love to go fish there but I have a 35 on my boat. I also have a son who loves to fish and he is 5 yrs old, but it takes over an hour each way to get to another body of water so I rarely get to take him. I am respectful of the motor limits and would not run my big motor if there were motor restrictions like all other conservation lakes. If they made hp restrictions for the lake, the person should still be able to take off their prop and leave the motor trimmed up at all times to ensure the motor was not used.

There were also people saying big boats can go so many other places which there are many other lakes around here. This is the same for kayaks. There are streams and small rivers all over they can go to. We can all share the same water and passion. Because of this law my son will not spend as many days on the water because of this idiotic law. Not to mention a 6hp motor will flip a kayak from the wakes just like a 10 or 20 hp motor. If they are going to restrict motor size there should be an alternate law that allows boats to still fish there even with those motors. I pay my taxes and buy all permits (fishing, hunting, deer hunting, turkey hunting, duck and goose) that fund places like this and I will never get to enjoy them. Makes no sense to me. I guess I can expect for this never to change and I will continue to drive 1-2 hours each way to put a boat in the water to take my son fishing. Its sad that a 5 yr old must learn lessons in life so early about how the world really works.

[jbtiwns30]

it doesn't say your boat cant be on that lake, use a trolling motor, there are tons of people that use trolling motors on there. it is a dumb law once you think about it but the law is the law. plus there are tons of places you can fish from the shore and catch fish as well.

[jbooth]

Actually if you read the law, and it posted at the ramp, basicly you are not permitted to have a boat on the lake with an attached motor that exceeds 6hp.i hate this law, honestly i think the lake could handle it if you increased to hp limit a bit, or like anthoer poster said if they would allow you to disable a larger motor by removing the prop would be nice. There are alot of places for bigger boats to go, and quite honestly i wouldnt want to put much bigger on the lake due to its depth, however there are other places for people to take canoes and kayaks also. The biggest problem i have really seen in the past few yeara doesnt come from people with outboards, it comes from people renting canoes and kayaks from ythe boat house who have no idea how to share the water way. They go in groups, rent several crafts, and spread out and head upstream like a swarm leaving now room for anyone to get by or around them safely. Basicly and simply, everyonue who puts a boat of any kind on the water neds to respect all other boats and try and get along. The lake is the for evyeryone to use, and i personally love hqvong it so close to home.

[Boat Newb]

You can always go to Fellows Lake if you don't like Lake Springfields rules.