Northwest Fishing Reports

Do I have to register a 12' boat w/ a trolling motor for fishing island county (lone,goss,deer) lakes or any lakes for that matter? Thanks.

For non-federal waters (most of the small trout/bass lakes in the area) you do not need a registration if your boat is under 16' and your trolling motor is less than 10hp.
On federal waters (Puget sound, Lake Union, Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, Columbia River, etc.) any watercraft powered by a motor, electric or internal combustion, is required to be registered.
Short answer, as long as your motor is less than 10hp, you're good to go on the island lakes.
Tight lines.

Thanks.

One other thing, if you're not aware already, check the WDFW and local requirements regarding motors. Some lakes do not allow internal combustion engines and some no motors at all. If I remember right, Pass lake doesn't allow any motors.

If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

Amx wrote:If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

I believe that means any automated beer opening devices...may want to check that one though....

mav186 wrote:

Amx wrote:If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

I believe that means any automated beer opening devices...may want to check that one though....

Good thing I don't drink beer. As it is, it's a struggle opening my thermose of koolaid.

mav186 wrote:

Amx wrote:If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

I believe that means any automated beer opening devices...may want to check that one though....

Would that include my Leatherman?

Amx wrote:If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

Must be local ordinance or something like that because the term "mechanical devices" is not listed in the definition section of the current WDFW Sportfishing regulation pamphlet.

hewesfisher wrote:

Amx wrote:If I remember correctly, some don't even allow 'mechanical devices'. Someone needs to define that one.

Must be local ordinance or something like that because the term "mechanical devices" is not listed in the definition section of the current WDFW Sportfishing regulation pamphlet.

Nope, it was in the regs over many years. I looked at each lake's 'special regs'. It's not there anymore, so I guess the phrase/term, 'mechanical device' isn't used anymore.