Boat horsepower restrictions lifted on some small lakes

[Jig'em83]

So when will they decrease the motor restrictions on the bigger lakes to allow "fishable" access to the small boats? And to all that tell me to get a bigger boat, why didn't you get a smaller one to access these waters? I have had both big and small boats and I used them appropriately. As we all know, this is going to destroy some of these small waters. Fish and wildlife is just another government agency that is understaffed.....so how well will these laws be enforced? Rarely if ever.....if this upsets anyone, sorry. This is my opinion and my thoughts....I feel many will agree and many won't. Be safe everyone....

[restornator]

when will they restrict the cigar boats at Nolin?

[timmbur22]

Good news??? Really??? .........

[dabassking]

So when will they decrease the motor restrictions on the bigger lakes to allow "fishable" access to the small boats? And to all that tell me to get a bigger boat, why didn't you get a smaller one to access these waters? I have had both big and small boats and I used them appropriately. As we all know, this is going to destroy some of these small waters. Fish and wildlife is just another government agency that is understaffed.....so how well will these laws be enforced? Rarely if ever.....if this upsets anyone, sorry. This is my opinion and my thoughts....I feel many will agree and many won't. Be safe everyone....

Most of the bigger lakes have multiple ramps, so people with smaller boats can launch close to where they want to fish and won't have to fight that much boat traffic. I've seen several small boats on Nolin, Rough, Barren, etc and they seem just fine.

[restornator]

Most of the bigger lakes have multiple ramps, so people with smaller boats can launch close to where they want to fish and won't have to fight that much boat traffic. I've seen several small boats on Nolin, Rough, Barren, etc and they seem just fine.

yeah, as long as our boat doesn't flip or sink, we're doing just fine.

[Jig'em83]

Most of the bigger lakes have multiple ramps, so people with smaller boats can launch close to where they want to fish and won't have to fight that much boat traffic. I've seen several small boats on Nolin, Rough, Barren, etc and they seem just fine.

That's the point.....these small lakes were there to give ppl a chance who only have small boats. If others want to fish them get a small boat. Perfect example....guist creek lake in Shelbyville.....they removed the hp restriction years ago and I will include myself as I've been guilty of it too but it is supposed to be a lake were you are to IDLE by other boats who are fishing....it don't happen. No one is there to enforce it and there are too many ppl who just don't care. You say they seem fine.....have you ever asked them? Most guys in small boats dislike big bass boats the way guys in bass boats dislike jet skis....it's just how it is. Until everyone can learn to be courteous this idea of "IDLE" only will never work. ( by the way....I've never seen a trolling motor only boat on any lake you have mentioned above.....to your respect I've only been on a couple but still never seen it. Nor have I seen any under 10 hp boats in general.)

[gfpete01]

The restriction being lifted shouldn't matter much honestly. What has the biggest effect on these smaller water bodies is boaters running wide open on them. The law, KAR 301 1:015 Section 7, states that if you are going to operate a boat that has a motor great than 10hp on any of the 10 listed lakes, you must only operate it at idle speed. Among those listed are Bullock Pen, Kincaid, Martins, etc. IF (and that is IF) people adhere to this law, the fish population will be fine. However, I can see how lifting the restriction will attract more people to these types of smaller honey holes that were previously inaccessible to them. All of that said, fishing should be available to everyone. What shouldn't be available to everyone is the privilege of operating a boat. Kentucky needs to start a serious program that tests the competency of boaters just like we have a driver's license testing process. Why don't we have that? I don't know about you guys, but I have run into my fair share of idiots on the water including those who are not drunk... Makes you wonder how they haven't already capsized their vessel sometimes...