Shenango River Lake boating rules
Shenango River Lake has no lake-wide horsepower limit listed, but west of the Penn Central Railroad (Levittsburg) causeway to the Ohio line, motors over 20 hp may not be used. Other zone rules apply. Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.43(a)(1). Verified Oct. 4, 2026.
- Motors
- 20 hp max in part of the lake
- Max horsepower
- 20 hp in part of the lake (≈ 14.9 kW, our conversion)
- Electric boats
- Within 20 hp (≈ 14.9 kW, our conversion)
- PWCs
- No lake-specific PWC rule found (statewide PWC rules apply)
- Speed limits
- No mph limit listed
- Towing / skiing
- No waterskiing from the Conrail railroad bridge south to the hazard buoys at the dam.
- No waterskiing beneath the Route 18 and Route 846 bridges or the Parkers Landing and Shenango Recreation Area railroad trestles.
- 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 §111.43(a)(1). The official text and posted signs control.
All rules for Shenango River Lake
Different motor rules apply in part of this lake — see the rules marked with a zone.
West of the Levittsburg railroad causeway to the Ohio line, motors over 20 hp may not be used.
Where: west of the Penn Central Railroad (Levittsburg) causeway to the Ohio line
Read the exact wording
The use of motors in excess of 20 horsepower is prohibited in the area west of the Penn Central Railroad (Levittsburg) causeway to the Ohio line.
No boats in Game Lands propagation areas.
Where: Game Lands Propagation Areas
Read the exact wording
Boats are prohibited in Game Lands Propagation Areas.
No waterskiing from the Conrail railroad bridge south to the hazard buoys at the dam.
Where: south of the Conrail Railroad Bridge to the hazard buoys at the dam
Read the exact wording
Waterskiing is prohibited south of the Conrail Railroad Bridge to the hazard buoys at the dam.
Slow, no-wake in Stewart's Bay, Celery Bay, and the main lake from near the Hopper Road access to the backwaters.
Where: Stewart's Bay; Celery Bay; main lake from the Hopper Road Fisherman Access Area to the extreme backwaters
Read the exact wording
Boats are limited to slow, no wake speed in the following areas: (i) Stewart's Bay. (ii) Celery Bay. (iii) The main lake from the vicinity of the Hopper Road Fisherman Access Area to the extreme backwaters of the lake.
Slow, no-wake from the hazard buoys above the dam to the Conrail bridge, within 200 feet of shore near the day use area, campground and Route 18 causeway, and on Duck Lake.
Where: hazard buoys above the dam to the Conrail Railroad Bridge; 200 feet from shore near the Shenango Day Use Area, Campground and Route 18 causeway; Duck Lake
Read the exact wording
(iv) From the hazard buoys above the dam to the Conrail Railroad Bridge. (v) Two hundred feet from the shoreline in the vicinity of the Shenango Day Use Area and Campground and the Route 18 causeway. (vi) Duck Lake.
Life jackets must be worn at all times on boats under 16 feet and on any canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
When: at all times
Read the exact wording
Persons shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device at all times when on board boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
No waterskiing beneath the Route 18 and Route 846 bridges or the Parkers Landing and Shenango Recreation Area railroad trestles.
Where: beneath the SR 18 and SR 846 bridges; beneath the Parkers Landing railroad trestle; beneath the railroad trestle at the Shenango Recreation Area
Read the exact wording
Waterskiing is prohibited in the following slow no wake zones: (i) Beneath the State Route 18 and State Route 846 Bridges. (ii) Beneath the Parkers Landing railroad trestle. (iii) Beneath the railroad trestle at the Shenango Recreation Area.
Statewide rules that apply here
Where the zone limit applies: the limit counts electric motors too; a boat with a bigger motor may still launch, but that motor may not be used.
Where: west of the Penn Central Railroad (Levittsburg) causeway to the Ohio line
Read the exact wording
On waters where horsepower limitations are prescribed, as set forth in Chapter 111 (relating to special regulations counties), horsepower limitations apply to both internal combustion motors and electric motors. Boats with motors larger than the maximum horsepower shall be permitted but the motors may not be used.
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 Shenango River Lake?
Yes, up to 20 hp. Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.43(a)(1).
What is the horsepower limit on Shenango River Lake?
20 hp, which also covers electric motors (about 14.9 kW, our conversion). Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.43(a)(1).
Are personal watercraft (PWCs, often called jet skis) allowed on Shenango River Lake?
No lake-specific PWC rule found (statewide PWC rules apply). Source: 58 Pa. Code §111.43(a)(1).
Is there a speed limit on Shenango River 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 Shenango River 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 Shenango River Lake?
PFBC's access data lists no verified public ramp here.
Nearby lakes with the same motor rule
- Sugar Lake32.2 mi, straight-line
- Woodcock Creek Lake33.2 mi, straight-line
- Canadohta Lake47.5 mi, straight-line
- Mahoning Creek Lake71.7 mi, straight-line
- Keystone Lake (Armstrong Co.)71.7 mi, straight-line
Sources & verification
- § 111.43. Mercer 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).
- § 107.1. Horsepower restrictions. — 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, Shenango River Lake boating rules, verified Oct. 4, 2026.
https://lakepennsylvania.org/lakes/shenango-river-lake/
Verified Oct. 4, 2026 · official text re-checked Nov. 1, 2026