Northwest Fishing Reports

Unfortunately, 2009 is the year that the County ordinance goes into effect in addition to last year's City Ordinance. For those that are not aware of the motor restriction, all carbureted 2-stroke engines (9.9 hp and greater) are now banned from Lake Whatcom. To be compliant, the engine must be certified and labeled as meeting the 2006 or later year United States EPA emissions standards as specified in Title 40, Code of Regulations, Part 91.

Since it was a City ordinance last year, the Sheriff's Department had no jurisdiction, therefore there was little to no enforcement. I spoke to the Deputy in charge of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Dept. Marine Patrol division yesterday to check my facts and they are in fact going to enforce the restriction this year. This involves being "terminated" from the lake and receiving a fine. The exact amount of the fine is still being determined at the Whatcom County Courthouse.

This is obviously a bummer but I wanted the anglers on here to be informed. I would hate to see someone's weekend fishing trip or tournament ruined by getting kicked off the lake and receiving a hefty fine. I will provide updates as I receive more information.

Thanks tag...

The motor restrictions have been rather confusing on whatcom. I know last year I could only launch my 35hp. 2 stroke at the county launch. It's a bummer I can't use it this year, but I do agree with the restrictions. I mean after all, it is drinking water. I do have a 3hp two stroke I will be able to use for putt-putting this year though. Isn't it like in 2011 no 2 stroke AT ALL period.?

Thanks again, and yes, keep us updated.

That's 2 bad Tag,..I know you BASS there allot,.. !

BB

Hey Rollin',

I will certainly keep you posted. I believe it is 2013 when all 2-strokes, including fuel injected, will no longer be allowed on the lake.

BassinBomber wrote:That's 2 bad Tag,..I know you BASS there allot,.. !

BB

My 225 hp Yamaha HPDI will be compliant until 2013, since it has direct fuel injection. Unfortunately, I have several friends with carbureted 2-strokes. I'll be taking a lot of buddies out this year.

tagwatson360 wrote:

BassinBomber wrote:That's 2 bad Tag,..I know you BASS there allot,.. !

BB

My 225 hp Yamaha HPDI will be compliant until 2013, since it has direct fuel injection. Unfortunately, I have several friends with carbureted 2-strokes. I'll be taking a lot of buddies out this year.

OK,..LOL,..LMK,..I'll be ready,..HaHa!

BB

Just to make it perfectly clear, all 2 stroke engines will not be banned from use in Lake Whatcom. Any engine that will meet CARB standards will be allowed and includes most direct injected 2 strokes. Here is the time line for outboard restrictions for the Lake:

Summary of Boating Restriction Timelines - Lake Whatcom, WA

January 1, 2006—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engine powered watercraft is prohibited
on the portion of Lake Whatcom in the City limits, except: Watercraft powered by a two-stroke
engine whose engine is certified and labeled as meeting the 2006 or later model year US EPA emission
standards and two-stroke carbureted engines of 10 horsepower or less.

January 1, 2007—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engines including 10 horsepower or
less is prohibited on the portion of Lake Whatcom in the City limits.

January 1, 2009—The operation of all carbureted two-stroke engine powered watercraft on Lake
Whatcom is prohibited, except: Watercraft powered by a two-stroke engine that is certified and labeled
as meeting the 2006 or later model year US EPA emissions standards, auxiliary sailboat engines, 10
horsepower or less engines, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines originally purchased
before August 2004.

January 1, 2013—The operation of all carbureted two-stoke auxiliary sailboat engines, all carbureted
two-stroke engines of 10 horsepower or less, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines
originally purchased before August 2004 is prohibited.

City of Bellingham Ordinance 2005-06-045 and Whatcom County Ordinance 2004-02

So on 2 stroke carb...is it like an emissions for a car?Do we just take to a marine store have them run it and pay for whatever needs to be done to it so they can list and lable it.So if you get checked on the water they see a tag and your good togo?So my motor will be running good and safe for water...but when i have 5 rockstars and a mug of coffee..then what...do they mount me a spare container under the cowel..

That's not quite how it works. If your 2-stroke has a carburetor, it's not going to meet 2006 emission standards. Because of the way they operate, unburnt fuel will be expelled and there is really nothing you can do about it. The emission certification is awarded to a line of outboards based on testing performed on production models and the certification level is then printed on the cowling of unit. Most outboards made today meet CARB 2 or CARB 3 standards. CARB is a California emission standard that is a bit stricter than national standards so if your outboard meets these standards they will typically exceed the national standards.

One Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2001 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 75% fewer emissions than conventional carbureted two-stroke engines. These engines are equivalent to the US EPA's 2006 standards for marine engines.

The Two Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2004 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 20% fewer emissions than One Star (Low Emission) engines.

The Three Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2008 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 65% fewer emissions than One Star (Low Emission) engines.

There is a 4 Star standard, 60% to 70% reduction from 3 Star ratings, but it is generally accepted that an outboard would need a catalytic converter to meet this requirement.

To run on lake Whatcom, all you need is an engine that meets the 2006 EPA (1 star CARB requirements) or be 10hp or less. So, your vintage 50's 2 smoker can dump as much junk in the lake as long as it's a small motor, who comes up with this stuff?

What gets me is that just because an outboard is a 4 stroke, it doesn't mean it won't pollute the environment less than a 2 stroke. We've all seen plenty of old 4 stroke outboards that smoke and leak oil. I detest poorly written laws that were obviously written by folks who are short sighted and didn't due their homework.

G-Man wrote:Just to make it perfectly clear, all 2 stroke engines will not be banned from use in Lake Whatcom.

January 1, 2013—The operation of all carbureted two-stoke auxiliary sailboat engines, all carbureted
two-stroke engines of 10 horsepower or less, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines
originally purchased before August 2004 is prohibited.

City of Bellingham Ordinance 2005-06-045 and Whatcom County Ordinance 2004-02

So, my interpretation is that.....


if you bought your electronic fuel injected 2 stroke from Aug 1, 2004 till present you can run it on whatcom for the foreseeable future? (until they change the rules again anyway)

Rollin with Rolland wrote:

G-Man wrote:Just to make it perfectly clear, all 2 stroke engines will not be banned from use in Lake Whatcom.

January 1, 2013—The operation of all carbureted two-stoke auxiliary sailboat engines, all carbureted
two-stroke engines of 10 horsepower or less, and all electronic fuel injected two-stroke engines
originally purchased before August 2004 is prohibited.

City of Bellingham Ordinance 2005-06-045 and Whatcom County Ordinance 2004-02

So, my interpretation is that.....


if you bought your electronic fuel injected 2 stroke from Aug 1, 2004 till present you can run it on whatcom for the foreseeable future? (until they change the rules again anyway)

G-Man may be able to confirm this. Unfortunately, I am not an expert on this legislation.

G-Man wrote:That's not quite how it works. If your 2-stroke has a carburetor, it's not going to meet 2006 emission standards. Because of the way they operate, unburnt fuel will be expelled and there is really nothing you can do about it. The emission certification is awarded to a line of outboards based on testing performed on production models and the certification level is then printed on the cowling of unit. Most outboards made today meet CARB 2 or CARB 3 standards. CARB is a California emission standard that is a bit stricter than national standards so if your outboard meets these standards they will typically exceed the national standards.

One Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2001 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 75% fewer emissions than conventional carbureted two-stroke engines. These engines are equivalent to the US EPA's 2006 standards for marine engines.

The Two Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2004 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 20% fewer emissions than One Star (Low Emission) engines.

The Three Star label identifies engines that meet CARB's 2008 exhaust emission standards. Engines meeting these standards produce 65% fewer emissions than One Star (Low Emission) engines.

There is a 4 Star standard, 60% to 70% reduction from 3 Star ratings, but it is generally accepted that an outboard would need a catalytic converter to meet this requirement.

To run on lake Whatcom, all you need is an engine that meets the 2006 EPA (1 star CARB requirements) or be 10hp or less. So, your vintage 50's 2 smoker can dump as much junk in the lake as long as it's a small motor, who comes up with this stuff?

What gets me is that just because an outboard is a 4 stroke, it doesn't mean it won't pollute the environment less than a 2 stroke. We've all seen plenty of old 4 stroke outboards that smoke and leak oil. I detest poorly written laws that were obviously written by folks who are short sighted and didn't due their homework.

Thank you very much for all the good information, G-Man. It is much appreciated.

RWR,

You got it. To be perfectly honest, today's direct injected 2 strokes are typically as clean or cleaner than their 4 stroke counterparts. The fuel mixture is injected into the combustion chamber after it is closed, so there is no chance of bypass. Also, modern 2 stroke oil is designed to burn completely while 4 stroke oil is designed to lubricate and maintain its viscosity over a large temperature range. This is why you tend to see an oil sheen on the water when a 4 stroke is started up as any oil that made it into the combustion chamber gets expelled unburnt.

This does suck taggy !! but i was gonna miss whatcom this year anyway (b.a.s.s. qualifers) on banks instead ..

So does this mean , are you saying , you telling me , WTF taggy can a brother catch another whatcom pig ever again ?

I wonder what results this will have on the club tourney , we already have a permit for that this lake (NOW WHAT)..i need to sit back take in some air for a sec brb ...

DEZ

My 2009 Yamaha 25hp 2-stroke runs 100-1 oil, but not clean enough for the new laws. Oh well shoulda bought the 4stroke!

basscanada wrote:My 2009 Yamaha 25hp 2-stroke runs 100-1 oil, but not clean enough for the new laws. Oh well shoulda bought the 4stroke!

I have nothing educated to add
Just want to give a shout out to basscanada. Havn't seen you in awhile...Welcome back!

kevinb wrote:

basscanada wrote:My 2009 Yamaha 25hp 2-stroke runs 100-1 oil, but not clean enough for the new laws. Oh well shoulda bought the 4stroke!

I have nothing educated to add
Just want to give a shout out to basscanada. Havn't seen you in awhile...Welcome back!

Thanks Kevinb! Glad to see an end to this long winter, can't wait for warm days on the water in search of bass.

basscanada wrote:My 2009 Yamaha 25hp 2-stroke runs 100-1 oil, but not clean enough for the new laws. Oh well shoulda bought the 4stroke!

YEP, I know what you mean. Oh well, great fishery all around, this will only help protect it for years to come. Hey, I got oars, I'll do what I gotta do to get to them fish...