Northwest Fishing Reports

Just bought a little aluminum 12ft boat with 5hp gas motor and 35lb electric troll motor from my coworker.
He told me that I wouldn't need to register and buy tabs for the boat as long as I am not on federal waters. I went on boat.wa.gov to see if he is right, and from that site I fit the exempt if I'm not on federal waters.

So here is my question. What is defined as federal and non-federal waters? In particular I want to be fishing lakes in King/Grant/Pierce Counties.

Anything helps

The majority of the lakes around the area are considered non-federal waters. Any body of water that is "navigable" by boat from the ocean, controlled by locks/dams, or on federally regulated land are considered federal. Puget Sound, the Columbia River, etc. As for lakes, the few around here that at considered federal are Washington, Sammamsh, and American. I'm sure there are a few more. However, most of the smaller lakes are ok. You can specify which lake and someone here I'm sure can point you in the right direction.

Thanks BentRod. That really helps!

In particular I would like to be on these lakes. (NOTE: I am aware some lakes don't allow gas motors)

King: Fenwick/Angle/Beaver/Pine/Dolloff/Meridian/Rattlesnake/Sawyer/Wilderness
Pierce: American*/Kaposwin
Grant:Stan Coffin/Evergreen Reservoir/Burke/Quincy/Potholes/Moses/Banks

Looks to me that American is the only one you'd have to worry about.

The only 2 that I KNOW about for no gas motors are Pine and Wilderness.

Thanks Amx!

American has been confirmed as non-federal waters. Also, unrestricted streams and rivers are considered navigable waters to the point at which they are still influenced by the tide. If you have any questions at all about the body of water you will be fishing, check with the Coast Guard's website or call the USCG district 13 office in Seattle for the official word.

WDFW considers American to be Federal. But it is not "federally navigable" under the Coast Guard definition which over rides state law. I caught some crap out there for Guiding before I have my OUPV and had a hell of a time convincing the Warden that USCG doesnt consider it federal. It have to be entirely bordered by Federal land to be considered federal. Not 1/3 of it.

I would however just register it and get it done with. That way you don't have to worry about it

One other thing about American Lake is Pierce County boating ordinances which are different than WDFW. Be sure to check, and comply, with those ordinances as well.

Bite the bullet, pay your taxes and get your numbers. Then don't worry about it.

I do what Nate says even though the only place I believe that I go that would be federal is the Snohomish river, can anyone verify that?

Check with the DOL as they have a list that registration is needed for. Other than the Columbia River there's nothing in Grant County that requires registration.

County bans on gas motors are a separate issue.

SalmonAddict wrote:Thanks BentRod. That really helps!

In particular I would like to be on these lakes. (NOTE: I am aware some lakes don't allow gas motors)

King: Fenwick/Angle/Beaver/Pine/Dolloff/Meridian/Rattlesnake/Sawyer/Wilderness
Pierce: American*/Kaposwin
Grant:Stan Coffin/Evergreen Reservoir/Burke/Quincy/Potholes/Moses/Banks

Fyi... AMX had responded that only two of year lakes were gas only, but if you weren't already aware, Rattlesnake is no gas motors as well. And if you are new to owning a boat, just be aware that "No gas motors" actually means the gas motor cannot be mounted on the boat in any form or fashion while on the water.
You will see people with their gas motors pulled up high out of the water, or with plastic bags over them..... still not legal.
Get that boat, sans motor, out on Rattlesnake. You will be in the fish all day long!

Thanks you guys!

natetreat wrote:Bite the bullet, pay your taxes and get your numbers. Then don't worry about it.

X 10, just get the numbers. If you can't afford the tags, you have no business playing with the boat. Yes they're that cheap.

Exempt. Vessels
Vessels with propulsion machinery that:
Draw 250 watts or less, and
Propel the vessel no faster than 10 miles per hour, and
Are not used on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or the high seas beyond the territorial seas for vessels owned in the United States.

So, if your boat engine is a small one with max speed less than 10 MPH, and not used on international waters (high seas), you don't need to register your boat.