Laurel Lake boating rules
Gas (internal-combustion) motors may not be run on Laurel Lake; electric motors are allowed. Personal watercraft aren't allowed. Sources: 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(1); 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(2); 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(3)(iv). Verified Oct. 4, 2026.
- Motors
- Electric motors only
- Max horsepower
- Not applicable: only electric motors may be used.
- Electric boats
- No lake-specific electric rule listed
- PWCs
- PWCs not allowed
- Speed limits
- No mph limit listed
- Towing / skiing
- A boat may tow only one boat-towed device.
- Upper lake: no skiing or towing and slow, no-wake everywhere from 6 p.m. until noon the next day.
- 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
- No PFBC-verified ramp listed — see agency notes
- Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · official text re-checked Nov. 1, 2026
Summary of 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(1). The official text and posted signs control.
All rules for Laurel Lake
Gas (internal-combustion) motors are prohibited, except for resident property owners (see next rule).
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Internal combustion motors prohibited. Internal combustion motors are prohibited except as otherwise provided in this subsection.
Only resident property owners and their immediate family may run gas motors, up to 60 hp. Visitors: electric or no motor.
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Resident property owners at Laurel Lake are permitted to operate boats powered by motors of up to 60 horsepower. It is unlawful for a person, other than a resident property owner or a member of the property owner's immediate family, to operate a boat powered by an internal combustion motor on Laurel Lake.
No one may operate a motor rated over 60 hp.
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It is unlawful for a person, including a resident property owner and members of the immediate family, to operate a boat powered by a motor rated in excess of 60 horsepower.
A boat may tow only one boat-towed device.
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A boat may not tow more than one boat-towed device.
Upper lake: slow, no-wake, except that noon to 6 p.m. up to two gas-powered boats at a time may go faster inside the marked zone.
When: noon until 6 p.m.
Where: Upper Lake; marked boat operating zone
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Boat speed is limited to slow, no wake speed except that, during the period from noon until 6 p.m., no more than two boats powered by internal combustion motors may, at any one time, operate at speeds greater than slow, no wake speed in the marked boat operating zone.
Upper lake: no skiing or towing and slow, no-wake everywhere from 6 p.m. until noon the next day.
When: 6 p.m. until noon of the following day
Where: Upper Lake
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It is unlawful to water ski or tow any other boat-towed device or to operate a boat at greater than slow, no wake speed at any location on the upper lake from 6 p.m. until noon of the following day.
Lower lake: no skiing or towing, and slow, no-wake at all times.
When: at any time
Where: Lower Lake
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It is unlawful to water ski or tow any other boat-towed device or to operate a boat at greater than slow, no wake speed at any time at any location on the lower lake.
Personal watercraft (PWCs) are not allowed.
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The operation of personal watercraft is prohibited.
During the authorized hours, gas-powered boats running above slow, no-wake have priority in the marked zone.
Where: marked boat operating zone
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Boats powered by internal combustion motors operating at authorized speeds greater than slow, no wake speed in the marked boat operating zone shall have priority during the time periods when the operation is authorized under paragraph (3)(ii).
Chapter 111 bans gas motors here. Our sources do not list this lake as Fish and Boat Commission or DCNR water, so the statewide electric slow, no-wake rule (§107.2(1.1)) is not shown as applying; the statewide 100-foot slow, no-wake rule still applies.
We did not find a public access point for this lake in our sources. The rules still apply to anyone boating here.
Ramps
PFBC's access data lists no verified public ramp on this 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:
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Questions
Can I use a gas motor on Laurel Lake?
No. Only electric motors may be used. Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(1).
What is the horsepower limit on Laurel Lake?
Not applicable: only electric motors may be used. Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(1).
Are personal watercraft (PWCs, often called jet skis) allowed on Laurel Lake?
PWCs not allowed. Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.58(d)(3)(iv).
Is there a speed limit on Laurel Lake?
No mph limit is listed for this lake. Statewide, boats must go slow, no-wake within 100 feet of shore, docks, launch ramps, swimmers and anchored boats. Source: 58 Pa. Code §103.3(a).
Do I need a permit to launch on Laurel Lake?
Motorboats must be registered; unpowered boats at PFBC and state park or forest access areas need a registration or launch permit. Source: PFBC: Launch Permit vs. Unpowered Boat Registration.
Where can I launch on Laurel Lake?
PFBC's access data lists no verified public ramp here.
Nearby lakes with the same motor rule
- Tripp Lake2.3 mi, straight-line
- East Lake13.3 mi, straight-line
- Little Elk Lake13.5 mi, straight-line
- Stump Pond14.5 mi, straight-line
- Stevens Lake24.1 mi, straight-line
Sources & verification
- § 111.58. Susquehanna County. — 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, Laurel Lake boating rules, verified Oct. 4, 2026.
https://lakepennsylvania.org/lakes/laurel-lake-susquehanna-county/
Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · official text re-checked Nov. 1, 2026