Can I operate my fishing boat with the kicker only even though there is a larger main engine. Assuming my kicker is at or under the designated HP limits of the BWCA lake.

Funny how documents by the Forest Service are vague enough to make it seem so. See page 5.

But here is the law.

Thanks

Sag corridor would be the exception I think? You see people heading up the corridor toward Canada with the big motor tilted and running the kicker.

IMO, the key word is "operate". You're good as long as you don't fire up the large motor.

The key word in the rule is "possess".

I'll retract that statement and quote from the law.

"with the propeller below the waterline"

I think, but am not certain, that means if your big motor is tilted up with the propeller above the waterline you are legal.

That explains the boats heading up through Saganaga to Canada mentioned earlier.

thegildedgopher: "Sag corridor would be the exception I think? You see people heading up the corridor toward Canada with the big motor tilted and running the kicker."

I would think they would be in violation of the horsepower rule. It’s pretty black and white to me. Then I read rule #5 and it says motors in operation must not exceed 25hp. So now it’s kind of grey to me.

sedges: "... That explains the boats heading up through Saganaga to Canada mentioned earlier."

The Saganaga Corridor rule is specified in section 5 of the law that is posted. It is specific to that area. It would be better to call for a ruling than to rely on our own interpretations. That's why I posted the rules without adding mine.

sedges: "I'll retract that statement and quote from the law.


"with the propeller below the waterline"


I think, but am not certain, that means if your big motor is tilted up with the propeller above the waterline you are legal.


That explains the boats heading up through Saganaga to Canada mentioned earlier."

The Sag Corridor rule is a specific exception that I believe was designed to help folks who live on the Canadian side get to their properties with their bigger boats. Don't read any further than that into it. Same with snowmobiles being allowed along that stretch.

Re: the "propeller below the waterline" statement -- This is only meant to define what kinds of motorboats are allowed by this rule. Airboats, jet boats, and the like would not be allowed because they're not powered by an underwater prop.