Electric motors on Pennsylvania lakes
Electric motors are allowed wherever boating is allowed. Three rules still catch boaters out: horsepower caps count electric motors, electric-only waters on Commission and DCNR lakes are slow, no-wake, and a gas engine may ride along but not run.
The rule, as amended effective (55 Pa.B. 6278)
58 Pa. Code §107.2 was last amended effective (55 Pa.B. 6278). 58 Pa. Code §107.2 (Source note) · 55 Pa.B. 6278, A. Effective Date
It opens with these words:
Except as otherwise specified in Chapter 111 (relating to special regulations counties) on waterways owned or controlled by the commission or Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:
So it governs waters owned or controlled by the Fish and Boat Commission or DCNR, unless Chapter 111 says otherwise. 58 Pa. Code §107.2 (opening words)
Paragraph (1), verbatim
(1) Electric motors are permitted where boating is permitted. On waters where horsepower limitations are prescribed in Chapter 111, electric motors in excess of maximum horsepower limitations or equivalent kilowatt ratings shall not be used.
Paragraph (1.1), verbatim
(1.1) Boats propelled by electric motors where boating is permitted and internal combustion engines are prohibited shall not be operated at greater than slow, no-wake speed.
Paragraph (2), verbatim
(2) Internal combustion engines attached to or installed in boats need not be removed, but the operation of engines is specifically prohibited.
What changed in 2025
Before the August 30, 2025 change, electric boats within the horsepower or kilowatt limit on Commission and DCNR waters were held to slow, no-wake. 55 Pa.B. 6278 (Aug. 30, 2025), E. Summary of Proposal.
Since August 30, 2025, the electric slow, no-wake limit applies only on Commission and DCNR waters restricted to electric motors. 55 Pa.B. 6278 (Aug. 30, 2025), E. Summary of Proposal.
In practice: on a Commission or DCNR lake with a horsepower cap (such as a 20 hp state-park lake), an electric boat within the cap is no longer held to slow, no-wake by §107.2. On electric-only Commission and DCNR waters it still is.
Horsepower caps count electric motors
Where Chapter 111 sets a horsepower limit, it applies to gas and electric motors; a boat with a bigger motor may launch, but that motor may not be used. 58 Pa. Code §107.1.
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.
Chapter 111 horsepower and motor restrictions are qualified by §107.1 and §107.2. 58 Pa. Code §111.71.
Read the exact wording
Sections of this chapter establishing horsepower or motor restrictions are qualified by conditions established in § § 107.1 and 107.2 (relating to horsepower restrictions; and electric motors).
Electric motors are usually rated in watts or kilowatts. 1 hp ≈ 0.7457 kW, so 10 hp ≈ 7.5 kW and 20 hp ≈ 14.9 kW (our conversion).
DCNR's park pages write limits as '20 hp/15 kWh'. Motor power is rated in kW; kWh measures battery energy.
Trolling motor rated only in pounds of thrust? Check the motor's rated power (watts) on its label or manual.
Gas engines on electric-only waters
A gas engine does not have to be removed from the boat, but it may not be run. 58 Pa. Code §107.2(2).
On Fish and Boat Commission lakes, a gas engine also may not be used to power the electric motor — so no gas generator.
On Fish and Boat Commission lakes no gas engine may propel a boat or power its motor. 58 Pa. Code §53.8(a).
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-only lakes that aren't Commission or DCNR water
Some Chapter 111 lakes ban gas motors but belong to counties, cities, utilities or private owners. On those lakes the Chapter 111 text is the rule we show; we don't apply §107.2's slow, no-wake limit unless a source lists the lake as Commission or DCNR water. Electric-motors-only lakes
Related: Horsepower limits · Lakes for an electric-only boat