Gas boats OK, motor up You can launch a boat with a gas outboard. Leave it up and use your electric motor.No gas motors on board Remove the outboard or bring a boat without one.Gas boats: check first The rules don't say. Call before you tow a gas boat there.
Cane Creek Reservoir
Near Carrboro, Orange County
Electric motors onlyGas boats: check first
Electric motors only (own motor after inspection, or rent an OWASA electric trolling motor).
Size
540 acres
Launch
Carry-in / car-top only (no trailers); private boats inspected before launch
Fees & permits
Launch $3.50 (OWASA customers/Orange Co. residents) or $7 (others) plus per-person lake use fee; NC fishing license 16+
Other rules
Seasonal, roughly late March to early November, limited days. Confirm the current schedule with OWASA.
Managed by
Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
What the official rules say
we allow only electric motors at University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir
Lake Crabtree
Near Cary / Morrisville, Wake County
Electric motors onlyGas boats: check first
Only non-gasoline motors allowed, so electric trolling motors are OK; gas motors prohibited.
Size
520 acres
Launch
Two-lane concrete ramp for trailered boats plus car-top launch areas
Fees & permits
No launch fee listed; free 2-hour boat rentals in season; NC fishing license 16+
Other rules
Catch-and-release fishing only (fish consumption advisory). The lake closes a half hour before the park. Seasonal weekend rentals.
Managed by
Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space (Lake Crabtree County Park)
What the official rules say
Only non-gasoline-powered motors are allowed.
Reservoir Park lake
Near Southern Pines, Moore County
Electric motors onlyGas boats: check first
Electric motors, sails and paddles only; no gas engines on the lake.
Size
95 acres
Launch
Boat ramp with boat and kayak dock
Fees & permits
Park is free; NC fishing license applies
Managed by
Town of Southern Pines Parks & Recreation
What the official rules say
No gas engines on the lake.
University Lake
Near Carrboro, Orange County
Electric motors onlyGas boats: check first
Electric motors only (own motor after inspection, or rent an OWASA electric trolling motor).
Size
213 acres
Launch
Carry-in / car-top only (no trailers); private boats inspected before launch
Fees & permits
Launch $3.50 (OWASA customers/Orange Co. residents) or $7 (others) plus per-person lake use fee ($4.50/$5.50 ages 13-64); NC fishing license 16+
Other rules
Seasonal, roughly late March to early November, Friday–Sunday. Confirm the current schedule with OWASA.
Managed by
Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
What the official rules say
we allow only electric motors at University Lake and the Cane Creek Reservoir
No lakes match. Try another state or clear the search.
Before you go
Rules change, and some lakes close for the season or have their own permits. We link each lake to the agency page that states its motor rule, and show the month we checked it (most recently October 2026). Confirm the current rules with the lake's manager before you head out. Your state's boat registration and safety-equipment rules still apply on electric-only lakes.
Know a lake we're missing, or a rule that's changed? Tell us.
