what's the consensus with big motors on restricted lakes? I always seem to see guys idling their big motors on these 25hp lakes (banner, spring lake, coffeen, etc.). I recently went from the 25hp tin boat to a bass boat. Do people get away with idling or are they just begging to get pinched by dnr? I honestly think it should be legal on all lakes but that is just me.
I was told spring lake in Macomb Il and Snake Den Hollow Outside Victoria IL are 10 hp limit and you better not get caught idling around you will get a ticket. Some other lakes allow you to idle as long as it is in the lake rules.
I realize I could easily get a ticket and/or inspection for violating the rules. I guess since I have seen individuals doing it for years, I was just curious if it has been something people complain about or somethin dnr hammer ya on. I apalogize on spring lake, I was referring to spring lake north/south in manito. Either way they both have restrictions.
I have always used my trolling motor on motor limit lakes (Banner, Spring Lake, Evergreen, and Sangchris) unless there is a idle speed only if you are over the limit (Site M, Dawson, Schy-Rush, Ect). I do know we where on Sangchris last year and the wind kicked up something bad and IDNR probably won't have said a word due to the weather. I have heard that Banner won't say anything, but I keep using my trolling motor.
Now this is my personal opinion, but my boat puts out less wake at idle than any under powered rig will and do it in a safer way.
Jonathan Graber
Atlanta, IL
1995 Champion 204 DCX
1999 Mercury 225 EFI
At newton its a 25hp and you had better not get caught with the big motor running they will smoke you. I am against big motors idling because there will always be the guy that says (i won't get caught that blows it foreveryone else) Take an extra battery or put a kicker plate on or have two boats just my opinion
A lot of these 10HP lake rules were wrote years ago and need to be reworked. I agree, if you idle, it should be legal. Sons a beotches.
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<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Jon G »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Now this is my personal opinion, but my boat puts out less wake at idle than any under powered rig will and do it in a safer way.</td></tr></table>
well, owning 2 boats these days is prob not an option for most folks. I apalogize for starting a debate, just wanted to see what everyone had seen as far a idnr citing individuals for running big motors at idle. And...i agree that my idle in my triton 20 foot glass is better than a tin boat with 25hp at full speed. I'm prob gonna just go by trial and error. If I get a ticket, I will have to pay it and move on.
I've always wondered about this. Doesn't make much sense for reasons previously mentioned. My thought process is the people idling their $40k boats probably don't care about being ticketed $150 or whatever. I'm assuming these rules are in attempt to keep bigger boats away and the local fisherman at peace.....
We were power loading my brother's Stratos after trolling all day at Newton and totally got the stink eye from a local, I wanted to blast him. Can't we all just get along?
Cedar Lake frowns on the idling even to help load.
Mike DeArmon
2012 Ranger Z521
250 Yamaha SHO
The IDNR restricts HP to 25 on some lakes because of pressure. Could you imagine the amount of bass boats on the small power plant lakes in the winter? They tried letting bigger boats idle on a few smaller lakes but didn't like the numbers that showed up. I agree that a bass boat on plane puts off less wake then an 18 foot aluminum under powered boat does. That's not what The IDNR is concerned with. It's the extra pressure
Dale Sinclair original
I believe the reasons for the restrictions are solely based on how big the lake is, how the shoreline will erode, and the dangers of driving a faster on certain lakes. I am guessing fishing pressure has very little to do with it. The ways they combat pressure and how it can affect the lake is by creel limits, slot limits, and minimum length requirments. Just my 2 cents. I have been wrong before!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bsly67 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I believe the reasons for the restrictions are solely based on how big the lake is, how the shoreline will erode, and the dangers of driving a faster on certain lakes. I am guessing fishing pressure has very little to do with it. The ways they combat pressure and how it can affect the lake is by creel limits, slot limits, and minimum length requirments. Just my 2 cents. I have been wrong before!</td></tr></table>
I've been told, face to face, by a higher up , that locals polled have stated they do not want the additional pressure of larger boats idleing..I might have chose the wrong wording in my first response but Locals near smaller lakes do not want an exception to the 25 HP limit and the powers to be, have listened..I see those underpowered tin boats plowing along and it's worse for erosion then a 225 on plane..
Dale Sinclair original
This is not legal but i see people do it often. Have one guy up front on the trolling motor so it looks like you are using the trolling motor and another guy steering the boat with the big motor in gear. Looks good from a distance.
Gambler 2200/250 Pro XS
1. hp regs are stupid, my bass boat with a 150hp will put out less wake @ 25mph than a 25hp going 25mph.
2. our state is dumb, they could profit by lifting hp limits because more people will buy bigger, more expensive boats meaning they will get more tax money, also there would be more gas sold!
3. use speed limits on these lakes, if they were to shoot radar @ boats they could make $$$ for speeders.
4. these lakes that can kick up some waves when the weather changes can become dangerous for these little boats.
It boils down to our state is stupid!!!!!!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by basscubs1 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">1. hp regs are stupid, my bass boat with a 150hp will put out less wake @ 25mph than a 25hp going 25mph.
2. our state is dumb, they could profit by lifting hp limits because more people will buy bigger, more expensive boats meaning they will get more tax money, also there would be more gas sold!
3. use speed limits on these lakes, if they were to shoot radar @ boats they could make $$$ for speeders.
4. these lakes that can kick up some waves when the weather changes can become dangerous for these little boats.
It boils down to our state is stupid!!!!!!
And just who is really going to enforce this speed limit?
It's not about the waves it is about the state giving people with a smaller boat a place to fish. Thus offering more people an oppertunity which increases the number of boats and fuel sold.
Big boats = Big water
Little boats = horse power restricted lakes, give them a place to be so they don't get swamped, etc.
These nice small lakes are peaceful and have a great fishery because of the boat size restrictions. Now take the size limit away and see how fast the lake and fishery go to crap.
Enjoying life in Southern Illinois
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by local16 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I've been told, face to face, by a higher up , that locals polled have stated they do not want the additional pressure of larger boats idleing..I might have chose the wrong wording in my first response but Locals near smaller lakes do not want an exception to the 25 HP limit and the powers to be, have listened..I see those underpowered tin boats plowing along and it's worse for erosion then a 225 on plane..</td></tr></table>
I was told that by 2 differant CPO's it's not what they want,it's what the locals want..
They have changed a few HP limited lakes to no wake lakes and have had ZERO problems..
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by illinifish »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
And just who is really going to enforce this speed limit?
It's not about the waves it is about the state giving people with a smaller boat a place to fish. Thus offering more people an oppertunity which increases the number of boats and fuel sold.
Big boats = Big water
Little boats = horse power restricted lakes, give them a place to be so they don't get swamped, etc.
These nice small lakes are peaceful and have a great fishery because of the boat size restrictions. Now take the size limit away and see how fast the lake and fishery go to crap.</td></tr></table>
The lakes would not go to crap, these hp limit lakes get pounded just as hard as lakes w/o hp limits.
I chuckle at the thought of a bass boat swamping someone. I have a better chance swamping you without being on plane than on plane. I get more wave out of john boats going max speed with 10hp motors than a big motor boat on plane. Only way I could see someone being swamped is if its from your PLEASURE boaters going crazy on the lake. Had the joy of being slammed into a bank we was fishing by one of these boats less than 40 yards away and they make a turn.
As for the fishing going to crap because of bigger boats and motors on smaller lakes, that is funny as well. I think the lake would sustain no matter what type of pressure it gets as long as the lake regulations are followed.
I wish most lakes that have a hp limit would let us idle with the big motors. I don't see a problem with idling around. It works real great at a small lake like Dawson Lake. Small boats and Big motor boats fishing the same water without no problem.
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