If a boat has a 40 hp motor on it, can it be used in a lake with 25 hp or 9.9 hp restriction if you have it out of the water and just use the trolling motor? Thanks for your help.

No, 25 hp is 25 hp.

I believe the answer is no. In the BWCA I think it's all about possession and not actual use.

You can't possess any motor greater than 25 mph on the motorized lakes. You can possess up to 2 motors but they may not exceed 25 mph combined total.

I have never actually seen the restriction in writing, but the answer to your question is clearly no. The authorities would never take your word that you weren't using the 40 hp motor. Seagull Lake has an unrestricted motor use area, a 10 hp area and part is in the BWCA. I have fished Seagull with a Gunflint guide and he had a 25 hp motor and a trolling motor, but we had to remain in the unrestricted area. We had good luck on Lakers, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass.

The actual wording of the restriction is spelled out in the Wilderness Act of 1978 (starting on page 10 of this pdf.

If you scroll down to SEC 4 (c), each paragraph (1, 2, and 3) begins with the words, "On the following lakes, motorboats with motors of no greater than twenty-five horsepower shall be permitted:" or "On the following lakes and river, motorboats with motors no greater than ten horsepower shall be permitted:". The wording "motorboats with motors" would indicate that the motors need not be engaged in order to fall within the restriction.

Seems to me in the past, I've seen boats in the sag corridor, heading to the Canadian side, with smaller hp kicker motors (10-25 hp), and a much larger motor that was not in use.

Certain areas on the Canadian side have different regulations, for example: You can (or used to) be able to enter the "no motor zone" on the Canadian side of Baley Bay on Basswood if you tilted the motor out of the water, and rowed the boat in. It did not have to be removed, and the rule applied to other areas in or near the East or West side BWCA.
You cannot do this in a no motor zone in the BWCA!

analyzer: "Seems to me in the past, I've seen boats in the sag corridor, heading to the Canadian side, with smaller hp kicker motors (10-25 hp), and a much larger motor that was not in use."

Saganaga is not in the quetico that’s why any size motor is allowed on the Canadian side. You can’t leave the corridor on the us side with any motor over 25 hp.

Also- most motor areas are “big water”. I don’t think the trolling motor would do much for you on these.

Late last summer I was on Fall Lake, just south of the boundary. There was a boat with a multiple motors coming out from the border. The <25 hp was used while inside the boundary. After they exited, the larger one was used as they made their way to one of the cabins on the north shore.

Just an observation.

eroom: "Late last summer I was on Fall Lake, just south of the boundary. There was a boat with a multiple motors coming out from the border. The <25 hp was used while inside the boundary. After they exited, the larger one was used as they made their way to one of the cabins on the north shore.
Just an observation."

You either are mistaken as to where the boat was, the size motor on it, or the boat was unaware as to their location on the lake.
It may have had a 15hp and a trolling motor but 25hp is max IF within the BWCA border on Fall Lake.
On a lake that well traveled and patrolled, I don't believe it was intentional because you're just asking for trouble.

I have seen well over 25 hp motors used discretely on Bearskin and Saganaga. I have also seen motors way over 10 hp used and parked on the Fowl's. I have never personally used anything but the correct size.
If they aren't running WOT or bugging anyone I just look away. Who cares?
I think you should be able to use any motor you want just limit the speed and wake.

If your 40 hp motor is a newer four stroke the profile might pass as a 25 hp motor. Take the 40 hp stickers off and put 25 hp stickers on it should be good to go;)

eelpout89: "If your 40 hp motor is a newer four stroke the profile might pass as a 25 hp motor. Take the 40 hp stickers off and put 25 hp stickers on it should be good to go;)"

It would be illeagal to do that and to remove the "tag" and drill out the stamp on the block . What is funny is as much as people will get excited about all this "talk" there are clearly marked 40 hp boats docked on 10 and 25 hp limit lakes right now. You do not see a lot of HP enforcement on these lakes. The USFS tends to enforce Entry Point violations and campsite damage violations in my experience. I have been checked several times on both and never received a ticket. Again, I see HP violations all the time but I don't say or report anything as the people aren't really bothering anyone.

MackinawTrout: "

eelpout89: "If your 40 hp motor is a newer four stroke the profile might pass as a 25 hp motor. Take the 40 hp stickers off and put 25 hp stickers on it should be good to go;)"

It would be illeagal to do that and to remove the "tag" and drill out the stamp on the block . What is funny is as much as people will get excited about all this "talk" there are clearly marked 40 hp boats docked on 10 and 25 hp limit lakes right now. You do not see a lot of HP enforcement on these lakes. The USFS tends to enforce Entry Point violations and campsite damage violations in my experience. I have been checked several times on both and never received a ticket. Again, I see HP violations all the time but I don't say or report anything as the people aren't really bothering anyone."

Yeah that’s true! I’ve been stopped many a time and all the care about is if you got your permit and that you have no cans. But you never know if they got a game warden with them. Then you better have your s*** in order.