3 CSR 10-11.160: Use of Boats and Motors

Purpose

This rule establishes provisions for use of boats and motors on department areas.

Summary:

This amendment rescinds the prohibition of float tube use on Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area. This amendment also modifies the restrictions for the use of boats on Busch (August A.) Memorial Conservation Area and Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area to allow certain boats other than department-owned boats on designated waters.

Title 3 – Department of Conservation
Division 10 – Conservation Commission

Proposed Amendment

(1) Boats (including canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats) may be used on lakes and ponds except as further restricted in this chapter. Boats may not be left unattended overnight. Houseboats, airboats, and personal watercraft as defined in section 306.010, RSMo, are prohibited.  Float tubes may be used for authorized fishing and hunting activities. Registration and a fee may be required for rental of department-owned boats. Fees shall be paid prior to use.

(A) Except as provided below, only electric motors are permitted on lakes and ponds of less than seventy (70) acres. Electric motors and outboard motors are permitted on lakes of seventy (70) or more acres and on certain areas in conjunction with waterfowl hunting, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1)(A)2. of this rule. Outboard motors in excess of ten (10) horsepower must be operated at slow, no-wake speed, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1)(A)3. of this rule.

1. Only department-owned boats may be used, only electric motors are permitted, and the use of float tubes is specifically prohibited on the following department areas:

               A. Blind Pony Lake Conservation Area

              [B. Busch (August A.) Memorial Conservation Area]

              [C.]B. Hunnewell Lake Conservation Area

              [D. Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area]

 

            2. On DeLaney (Robert G.) Lake Conservation Area, only electric motors are permitted.

3. On Thomas Hill Reservoir Conservation Area, houseboats are prohibited at all times, and all boating is prohibited on the main arm of the lake above Highway T from October 15 through January 15. No other restrictions in this section apply to this area.

4. On Busch (August A.) Memorial Conservation Area, only department-owned boats may be used, only electric motors are permitted, and the use of float tubes is specifically prohibited, except:

A. Canoes and kayaks launched by hand may be used only by the holder of a valid area boating tag on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38 from April 1 through September 30. Prior to launching, a user of each canoe or kayak must register their boat at the area headquarters to obtain an area boating tag and must check out at the area headquarters immediately after leaving the water. Area boating tags are issued for a specific canoe or kayak and are valid only for the specific lake designated on the tag.  An area boating tag may not be obtained for more than one (1) lake at the same time or for any canoe or kayak that is currently registered under a valid area boating tag.

   B. Canoes and kayaks launched by hand may be used without an area boating

   tag on Lakes 6, 34, 35, 36, and 38 from October 1 through March 31.

 

5.  On Reed (James A.) Memorial Wildlife Area, the use of carry-in boats and float tubes as authorized in section one (1) of this rule may only be used on designated waterfowl hunting pools and the following lakes:

               A. Catclaw Lake

               B. Cottontail Lake

               C. Gopher Lake

               D. Jackrabbit Lake

 

             [4.]6. Boats are prohibited on the following department areas:

                 A. Bellefontaine Conservation Area

                 B. Weldon Spring Conservation Area (lakes and ponds)

AUTHORITY: sections 40 and 45 of Art. IV, Mo. Const. and section 252.040, RSMo 2016.* This rule was previously filed as 3 CSR 10-4.115. Original rule filed April 30, 2001, effective Sept. 30, 2001. For intervening history, please consult the Code of State Regulations. Amended: Filed September 9, 2022, effective February 28, 2023.

PUBLIC COST: This proposed amendment will not cost state agencies or political subdivisions more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.

PRIVATE COST: This proposed amendment will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.

NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with Regulations Committee Chairman, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180, or via the department’s website at https://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.

 

Official public comment period: October 18, 2022 to November 16, 2022