Bessemer Lake boating rules

Lawrence County · Owner: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (managed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission) (per PFBC Properties 202512 layer: PFBC fee-title parcels cover 100% of the lake polygon; the lake's own PFBC page)

Only electric motors may be used on Bessemer Lake, a Fish and Boat Commission lake. No gas engine may run, even to charge batteries, and electric boats stay at slow, no-wake. Personal watercraft aren't allowed. Sources: PFBC Bessemer Lake page; 58 Pa. Code §53.8(a). Verified Oct. 4, 2026.

Electric motors only

Motors

Electric motors only

Max horsepower

Not applicable: only electric motors may be used.

Electric boats

Slow, no-wake only

PWCs

PWCs not allowed

Speed limits

Slow, no-wake

Towing / skiing

No lake-specific towing rule listed +1 more rules

Paperwork

Motorboats (gas or electric): registration required. PFBC: Register/Title a Boat A boat registered in its home state is fine while visiting. 58 Pa. Code §93.11(c)
Boating Safety Education Certificate: required for PWCs, and for motors over 25 hp if born on or after Jan. 1, 1982. PFBC: Apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate
Unpowered boats: registration, a PFBC launch permit or a DCNR launch permit. PFBC: Launch Permit vs. Unpowered Boat Registration

Ramps

1 PFBC-verified ramp

Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · official text re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Summary of PFBC lake page: Boating. The official text and posted signs control.

All rules for Bessemer Lake

PFBC's page for this lake: electric motors or unpowered boats only; electric boats at slow, no-wake.

PFBC lake page: Boating · Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Read the exact wording
Boating is limited to unpowered boats and boats powered by electric motors. Boats with electric motors are limited to slow, no wake speed.
On Fish and Boat Commission lakes no gas engine may run, even just to charge or power an electric motor.

58 Pa. Code §53.8(a) · Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Read the exact wording
An internal combustion engine may not be used to propel a boat or to provide energy to the motor on Commission lakes.
Electric-powered boats: slow, no-wake speed only.

58 Pa. Code §53.8(a) · Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Read the exact wording
Boats propelled by battery-powered electric motors shall not be operated at greater than slow no wake speed.
Electric and unpowered boats may be used with a gas engine attached, as long as it is not run.

58 Pa. Code §53.8(a) · Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Read the exact wording
Boats propelled by battery-powered electric motors and nonmechanically propelled boats, subject to restrictions on sailboats and inflatables, may be used either with or without internal combustion engines attached.

Statewide rules that apply here

Personal watercraft use internal-combustion engines, which may not run on Commission lakes, so PWCs can't be used here.

58 Pa. Code §109.3(a)(1) with §53.8(a) · Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · re-checked Nov. 1, 2026

Read the exact wording
(1) Uses an internal combustion motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of motive propulsion.

Ramps

Simplified outline from PFBC lake data. Not for navigation.

#	Name	Paved ramp	Trailer parking	Dock	ADA	Fee	Coordinates	Open in maps
1	Bessemer Lake	Yes	Yes	No	Not listed	No	40.97583, -80.505	geo Google Apple OSM

PFBC says: “One launch ramp is available along with associated parking facilities.” Bessemer Lake

PFBC access data as of Aug. 27, 2026.

Before you go

Conditions change. Water levels, drawdowns, closures and algae advisories are posted by the agencies, not by us. Check before you leave:

Questions

Can I use a gas motor on Bessemer Lake?

No. Only electric motors may be used. Source: PFBC lake page: Boating.

What is the horsepower limit on Bessemer Lake?

Not applicable: only electric motors may be used. Source: PFBC lake page: Boating.

Are personal watercraft (PWCs, often called jet skis) allowed on Bessemer Lake?

PWCs not allowed. Source: 58 Pa. Code §109.3(a)(1) with §53.8(a).

Is there a speed limit on Bessemer Lake?

Slow, no-wake. Source: 58 Pa. Code §53.8(a).

Do I need a permit to launch on Bessemer Lake?

Boats must be registered; unpowered boats may use a PFBC use permit or a DCNR launch or mooring permit instead. Source: 58 Pa. Code §53.8(f).

Where can I launch on Bessemer Lake?

1 PFBC-verified public ramp is listed below, with coordinates.

Nearby lakes with the same motor rule

Bradys Run Lake18.7 mi, straight-line
Raccoon Lake33.1 mi, straight-line
Glade Run Lake36.4 mi, straight-line
Kahle Lake47.7 mi, straight-line
Tamarack Lake47.9 mi, straight-line

Copy summary

Bessemer Lake (Lawrence Co.): Electric motors only. PFBC's page for this lake: electric motors or unpowered boats only; electric boats at slow, no-wake. On Fish and Boat Commission lakes no gas engine may run, even just to charge or power an electric motor. Source: PFBC lake page: Boating. Verified Oct. 4, 2026. https://lakepennsylvania.org/lakes/bessemer-lake/

Embed badge

<a href="https://lakepennsylvania.org/lakes/bessemer-lake/"><img src="https://lakepennsylvania.org/badge/bessemer-lake.svg" alt="Bessemer Lake: Electric motors only — rules at PA Lake Rules Atlas" width="300" height="80"></a>

Sources & verification

Bessemer Lake — fetched Oct. 4, 2026, re-checked Nov. 1, 2026
§ 53.8. Boats. — fetched Oct. 4, 2026, re-checked Nov. 1, 2026. The Pennsylvania Code website reflects changes effective through 56 Pa.B. 5370 (August 8, 2026).
§ 109.3. Personal watercraft. — fetched Oct. 4, 2026, re-checked Nov. 1, 2026. The Pennsylvania Code website reflects changes effective through 56 Pa.B. 5370 (August 8, 2026).

How to cite: PA Lake Rules Atlas, lakepennsylvania.org, Bessemer Lake boating rules, verified Oct. 4, 2026.

https://lakepennsylvania.org/lakes/bessemer-lake/
Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · official text re-checked Nov. 1, 2026