I have a small row boat with a 9.9 motor on it. I promised myself i was going to try and take it out this summer. My buddy and i would like to just do some fishing and get out on the water for the day. I don't want any fishing spots or any thing like that. Just a suggestion of which lakes would allow a small motor on it. and where the launch spots would be. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks andy
boating
- Thread starter andy1015
- Start date
Will you be fishing South Jersey? Most of the local WMA or state forest lakes I fish are paddle or electric motor only. Check out Union Lake WMA, though. I think they allow up to 10hp motors. I've never fished it, but I've heard it's a good spot. The link has directions.
Greg
http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/BwtWeb/SiteDetails.aspx?si=84
WMA regulations, FYI
http://www.njfishandwildlife.org/wmaregs.htm
Greg
http://www.njwildlifetrails.org/BwtWeb/SiteDetails.aspx?si=84
WMA regulations, FYI
http://www.njfishandwildlife.org/wmaregs.htm
Freshwater lakes allowing a gas motor in South Jersey are rare.
Union Lake and Lake Lenape are the only ones I can think of.
Lenape has a complex set of rules and requires insurance.
Make sure you have current boat registration, your Boating Safety Certificate and all your required safety equipment if you hit Union.
Thanks for the info guys. I figured there weren't many, but wow there are really not many. i'll have to try that union lake, is that near manitico. Also maybe ill be better trying some rivers. thanks for the heads up on the regs and rules also, i do have a license and the boat is registered but looks like they have quite a few rules. Once again thanks for the info.
Another option is to just leave your motor home and use the oars. Most of the lakes around here are small enough to not really justify an outboard anyway. When fishing, you are normally moving small distances at a time, interspersed with periods of fishing. You rarely need to cover the length of a lake all at one time, making rowing a fairly minor chore.
You can also fish the upper portions of the Wading or Mullica Rivers. Outboards are no problem there and there are several ramps you can launch at. The two biggest pickerel I've ever caught were on the Mullica River, in the Forks area. Perhaps there is more abundant forage for them in those waters than in the more confined lakes and ponds.
You can also fish the upper portions of the Wading or Mullica Rivers. Outboards are no problem there and there are several ramps you can launch at. The two biggest pickerel I've ever caught were on the Mullica River, in the Forks area. Perhaps there is more abundant forage for them in those waters than in the more confined lakes and ponds.
Make sure you are aware that a "boat license" is not the same as a Boating Safety Certificate.
The boat license, a long running money making scam perpetuated by the NJMVC, ONLY entitles you to operate a power vessel on non-tidal fresh water. That's it.
A boating safety certificate is required for anyone operating a power vessel (including electric motors!) who was born after 1949. A boating license is not required for electric power less than 1hp.
Next year, regardless of age, everyone will have to have the certificate to operate anything with a motor.
Boating safety certificate classes used to be free for the most part but now most private and even public entities charge $60- $75 for the class.
Here is the NJSP FAQ page which explains a lot of this.
http://www.njsp.org/maritime/faq.html
and the MVC page:
http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/Motorboat.htm
Enjoy NJ!
Thanks, german i would not mind rowing , but was also more of just a day on the water, some fishing, maybe some exploring. Although don't get me wrong i want to catch some fish. The forks area? Upper wading?
Thanks for the clarification. I do not have a boating license for non tidal water. I do have a safety course which costs 75 dollars, but no license. That is ridiculous, what a bunch of stuff. I also remember my boating instructor complaining about how nj is the only state that some how they double charge you for the registration and title or something. Someone is fighting it with congress he told us and he seemed to think he would win. But thanks for the info again
The Forks refers to the area where the Batsto and the Mullica Rivers meet. The Batso is not really deep enough to take a power boat upstream but you can go a bit further up the Mullica from the Forks. There are some nice broad, weedy areas right at the Forks though that are great fishing. I've actually done well anchoring or tieing up the boat (usually my canoe or kayak) and wading the area while fishing.
The way I understand it there are alot of people running boats with only the safety certifcate. Motor Vehicle told my BF that was all he needed???? Very confused here? I originally thought MV was suppose to issue a boating license after one received the certificate. I think there might be alot of confused people out there including myself.
I use lures for almost all my freshwater fishing because I find it more enjoyable but I think the general feeling is that bait is more productive.
Just to clarify, I think German meant the lower portions of the Wading and Mullica. Motorboats would not be appropriate, or legal, on the upper portions. Good luck.
Jeff
You must have a Boater's Safety Certificate. You will get a ticket and be escorted off the water if you are caught operating without a Boater's Safety Certificate.
When you go to a course they will issue you a temporary certificate. The permanent certificate is issued by the state.
The boat license endorsement that DMV gives you (just for asking) is pretty much worthless.
PA allows you to take the course and test online, NJ you must do it in person.