Use of Boats and Motors

PURPOSE: This rule establishes provisions for use of boats and motors on department areas. (1) Boats (including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats) may be used on lakes and ponds except as further restricted in this chapter. Boats may not be left unattended overnight. Houseboats, airboats, and personal watercraft as defined in section 306.010, RSMo, are prohibited. Float tubes may be used for authorized fishing and hunting activities. Registration and a fee may be required for rental of department-owned boats. Fees shall be paid prior to use. (A) Except as provided below, only electric motors are permitted on lakes and ponds of less than seventy (70) acres. Electric motors and outboard motors are permitted on lakes of seventy (70) or more acres and on certain areas in conjunction with waterfowl hunting, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1)(A)2. of this rule. Outboard motors in excess of ten (10) horsepower must be operated at slow, no-wake speed, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1)(A)3. of this rule. 1. Only department-owned boats may be used, only electric motors are permitted, and the use of float tubes is specifically prohibited on the following department areas: A. Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area B. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area 2. On DeLaney (Robert G.) Lake Conservation Area, only electric motors are permitted. 3. On Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area, houseboats are prohibited at all times, and all boating is prohibited on the main arm of the lake above Highway T from October 15 through January 15. No other restrictions in this section apply to this area. 4. On Busch (August A.) Memorial Conservation Area, only department-owned boats may be used, only electric motors are permitted, and the use of float tubes is specifically prohibited, except— A. Canoes and kayaks launched by hand may be used only by the holder of a valid area boating tag on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38 from April 1 through September 30. Prior to launching, a user of each canoe or kayak must register their boat at the area headquarters to obtain an area boating tag and must check out at the area headquarters immediately after leaving the water. Area boating tags are issued for a specific canoe or kayak and are valid only for the specific lake designated on the tag. An area boating tag may not be obtained for more than one (1) lake at the same time or for any canoe or kayak that is currently registered under a valid area boating tag; and B. Canoes and kayaks launched by hand may be used without an area boating tag on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38 from October 1 through March 31. 5. On Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area, the use of carry-in boats and float tubes as authorized in section (1) of this rule may only be used on designated waterfowl hunting pools and the following lakes: A. Catclaw Lake; B. Cottontail Lake; C. Gopher Lake; and D. Jackrabbit Lake. 6. Boats are prohibited on the following department areas: A. Bellefontaine Conservation Area; and B. Weldon Spring Conservation Area (lakes and ponds). AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const., and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* This rule was previously filed as 3 CSR 104.115. Original rule filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. Amended: Filed Oct. 1, 2001, effective Oct. 15, 2001. Amended: Filed May 9, 2002, effective March 1, 2003. Amended: Filed May 9, 2003, effective Oct. 30, 2003. Amended: Filed Nov. 18, 2005, effective Dec. 1, 2005. Amended: Filed Oct. 2, 2006, effective Feb. 27, 2007. Amended: Filed Sept. 27, 2007, effective Feb. 29, 2008. Amended: Filed Oct. 10, 2008, effective April 30, 2009. Amended: Filed March 23, 2009, effective March 1, 2010. Amended: Filed Sept. 30, 2010, effective March 1, 2011. Amended: Filed Sept. 12, 2011, effective March 1, 2012. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2018, effective March 1, 2019. Amended: Filed March 2, 2020, effective Aug. 30, 2020. Amended: Filed Sept. 9, 2022, effective Feb. 28, 2023. *Original authority: 252.040, RSMo 1945, amended 1989.