[jimlabanco]

Why are there HP limits on so many IL lakes? It makes no sense to me, I can see restricting speeds to idle or even electric motor only in extreme conditions for safety issues, and to limit speed boats ,or PWC's. It truly is not fair that if you own a boat with a motor larger than 25HP you are not allowed on so many lakes in the state. It seems like that defeats the purpose of limiting HP in the first place by eliminating angling opportunities for people.

I really hate how this state manages the resources we do have, and that the politicians dont listen to their constituents.

 

[blufloyd]

Most are man made water supply lakes and some of the people in charge have seen boaters before....

 

[JDSPINNERS]

Unfortunately, if they removed these restrictions, too many people would abuse the privilege. When you think of it, almost all reg's are put into place because a small few have created problems in the past by not using common sense and or having no respect for others. :-?

I'm not one for all these reg's either but people would just tear up these lakes unless you had a CPO or some type of Officer watching them continuously. :roll:

There are some that do allow bigger motors like Bong recreational area in Wisconson and I believe Rock Cut State park in Rockford also.

 

[spoonman]

Why does everyone feel they have an absolute right to use their big boats on any and all bodies of water? It is not that hard to understand. Hp restrictions are used for several reasons, one of which is croud control. There are lakes in our area that would be absolute zoo's and safety would go right out the window. With limited resources to manage and patrol all public waters it is impossible to open up all bodies of water to ALL boats. How would you like to have to reserve a spot on a lake everytime you wanted to fish? You could put a parking limit on only the amount of parking spaces, then how would you like to drive to a lake and find out it's full. I think that the restrictions are for reasons that can be backed up with common sense reasons.

Do what everyone else does and get multiple motors or even two boats to cover your fishing needs. I know several people that have one 10hp boat that the circle of friends use and another with a 40hp then another with a 225hp and they rotate and fish together. It get's expensive but if you have a big 225hp around here, you can expect to only be able to fish limited waters. It's really not that hard to figure out. Get a 16-18' 40hp boat with a 10hp kicker and your set. I get sick and tired of the people crying about it. The unlimited hp that was tried at several lakes that has been reversed should be proof that it does not work for all bodies of water. Heck add the blame to the yahoo's that abuse the rules and get up on plane with over 10hp motors all the time.

 

[ToddM]

I think no wake is the way to go. The only excuse I have seen in favor of hp limits that is even remotely true would be reducing the amount of boats. I am still not for it. We buy licenses, our money goes to stock these limited hp lakes we should be able to fish them with our boats. Heck, i would be in favor of no wake for boats over 10hp and full throttle for 10hp and less.

Indiana has alot of lakes that have 10mph and/or and limited times that people can tear arse up and down the lake. Some are for only 3 hours a day. While yes, you do get the occasional knucklehead, these speed limits are 99% complied with and I have only been checke by the dnr one time in 7 years of fishing indiana waters.

 

[big saw]

I don't care what size motor ya have. Just PLEASE DO NOT slow down when you pass me to try to be courteous. Open her up! I can't stand the guys that think they are slowing down so as not to bother me when I'm fishing. All they do is create a greater wake. And as far as motor size, look at the massive wake a putt-putt motor makes, cause it rarely gets up on plane' and look at the "RIPPLES" created by a 225 hp E-TEC when it's wide open! It's all about common sense!

 

[flounder]

jimlab don't do all those shaboner guys are going to start on you yes it sucks but thats what trolling motors are for. and forget about hp regs why can't we fish at night . how many lakes are open at night . its a shame il. is one of the best fishing and hunting recorces and and gov stupid-as-b-tch can't see that , dnr what dnr have not seen one of those in 3 years. its time for use to take charge. and just go buy a trolling motor bass pro or cabelas has sales on them all the time for under a 100 bucks .

 

[Paul S]

Why does everyone feel they have an absolute right to use their big boats on any and all bodies of water? It is not that hard to understand. Hp restrictions are used for several reasons, one of which is croud control. There are lakes in our area that would be absolute zoo's and safety would go right out the window. With limited resources to manage and patrol all public waters it is impossible to open up all bodies of water to ALL boats. How would you like to have to reserve a spot on a lake everytime you wanted to fish? You could put a parking limit on only the amount of parking spaces, then how would you like to drive to a lake and find out it's full. I think that the restrictions are for reasons that can be backed up with common sense reasons.

I agree with this 100%. 10 HP limits and no-wake rules are not just set up for erosion control but crowd control as well.

And it is fair since anyone can use the lake as long as their boat/motor rig fufills the requirements. I would love to be able to go to Tampier or Sag Slough and fish out of my boat but I can't since I can't take my OB off. And that's a good rule because if I could, there would 30 boats out there on the first pretty Sunday of April.

Overall, I don't know why people feel entitled to fish any place they want just because they own a boat. Follow the rules, they are set up with everybody in mind. Good fishing.

 

[spoonman]

I don't care what size motor ya have. Just PLEASE DO NOT slow down when you pass me to try to be courteous. Open her up! I can't stand the guys that think they are slowing down so as not to bother me when I'm fishing. All they do is create a greater wake. And as far as motor size, look at the massive wake a putt-putt motor makes, cause it rarely gets up on plane' and look at the "RIPPLES" created by a 225 hp E-TEC when it's wide open! It's all about common sense!

I think in some cases they are trying not to run wide open close to you for sound reasons as well.

I saw a shown on TV once and the guy was fishing for walleye. He would troll/drift over a drop off and if he did not get any hits, he would run his big motor right over the drop off a couple times. After he did this it would result in more strikes.

I used to fish a point for smallies on a 40hp lake that was right in the middle of an area that funneled boats and skiers through it. It was a challenge to control the boat but man would the smallies get into a frenzy when the wakes pounded the sea wall. When the wind blew into the sea wall the fishing was not as good. Try it some time. This spot was close to deep water, had rocks on it, with a sand transition that was great when the lake had some decent #'s of smallies.

 

[Paul S]

Spoon,

I think the point big saw is making is that boats on plane make much less of a a wake than someone who slows down and plows water. I see this all the time on the Cal Sag. Some of those big boats just plow through the water and make a helluva wake. I'd rather you go 25 mi/hr than 10! Good fishing.

 

[WrenchingnFishing]

If there was no HP limit or speed limit, the lakes would look like the chain of lakes on the weekend!!! I actually like the restrictions on lots of lakes and enjoy fishing that body of water a lot more!

---Tight-Lines---

 

[spoonman]

Spoon,

I think the point big saw is making is that boats on plane make much less of a a wake than someone who slows down and plows water. I see this all the time on the Cal Sag. Some of those big boats just plow through the water and make a helluva wake. I'd rather you go 25 mi/hr than 10! Good fishing.

PSW I realize that, I was just saying I have slowed for the added reason so as not to spook fish. If you know what you are doing you can slow down and have the big wake miss the subject boat. But I agree the big water pushing boats do more harm, but the problem is you do not know which boaters prefer which tactic.

 

[Realpilot31]

Why does everyone feel they have an absolute right to use their big boats on any and all bodies of water? It is not that hard to understand. Hp restrictions are used for several reasons, one of which is croud control. There are lakes in our area that would be absolute zoo's and safety would go right out the window. With limited resources to manage and patrol all public waters it is impossible to open up all bodies of water to ALL boats. How would you like to have to reserve a spot on a lake everytime you wanted to fish? You could put a parking limit on only the amount of parking spaces, then how would you like to drive to a lake and find out it's full. I think that the restrictions are for reasons that can be backed up with common sense reasons. Do what everyone else does and get multiple motors or even two boats to cover your fishing needs. I know several people that have one 10hp boat that the circle of friends use and another with a 40hp then another with a 225hp and they rotate and fish together. It get's expensive but if you have a big 225hp around here, you can expect to only be able to fish limited waters. It's really not that hard to figure out. Get a 16-18' 40hp boat with a 10hp kicker and your set. I get sick and tired of the people crying about it. The unlimited hp that was tried at several lakes that has been reversed should be proof that it does not work for all bodies of water. Heck add the blame to the yahoo's that abuse the rules and get up on plane with over 10hp motors all the time.

You sound like a man with a lot of money. Most bass boats come with an 40 to and 90hp motor. Test some lakes are 40hp limit some are 9.9. some 25. Yet this limit makes no difference on the size or depth or shore line. It just makes it difficult and frustrating to be a boater or angler in Illinois. Not everyone has the money to put two motors on their boats. I think what the original poster is trying to say is……. There should be a standardized criteria for lake /boat motor size. a guy in a small boat with a bored out 25 makes a hell of a lot more wake then a bass boat with a 60hp on it. I’ve seen it a hundred times. If you concerned about conservation the. Create no wakezones Lake Bloomington has huge sections of lake that are “no Wake” it has a 40hp limit. But you see giant lakes like Sanchris with a 25hp limit is just laughable. Guys slap 25 stickers on 70hp 2 strokes and blast by you doing 40mph. Once again the communist state of Chicago set policy and procedures for the rest of state and make boating or fishing a miserable experience Unless you can afford to go to big private lake. Asian carp have absolutely destroyed boating and if you take your bass boat with a 25 on the river good luck when someone with a 250 go by at 70mph. A lot of us fish bass tournaments and it is a nightmare to be at a lake like Sanchris or Evergreen and try to get anywhere at idle or in a 9.9. I understand you want to keep the shore lines intact but the ridiculous and non standardized HP limits are a real frustration for competitive anglers and boaters alike.

 

[Realpilot31]

If there was no HP limit or speed limit, the lakes would look like the chain of lakes on the weekend!!! I actually like the restrictions on lots of lakes and enjoy fishing that body of water a lot more!

---Tight-Lines---

Its not about having NO limit. It’s about Standardization across lakes based on size and depth. Why do we always assume everyone has a 250. Most boats I see have an 90 or smaller. It should be a speed limit not a Hp limit. I get pissed when someone hangs a bored out 25 on a John boat and blows by me a 40mph when I’m in my bass boat with a 25 and can barely hit 12mph? Both boat have 25s but I garuntee. The other guy is making a hell of a mess