Possession or use of a side scan sonar is illegal in the Land Between the Lakes

As a regular camper there, I was a little bit stunned when I read it.

The exact quote is:

"Pursuant to the provisions of 16 U.S.C. and Title 36 C.F.R. — the following acts or omissions are prohibited on lands and waters within the legislative jurisdiction of the USDA Forest Service, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area. ...
Violation of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
...
7. Possessing or using a mineral or metal detector, magnetometer, side scan sonar, or other metal detecting device, or sub bottom profiler. 36 CFR 261.53 (f)"

Link to the actual page

I've sent them an email asking for clarification.

CatFan

that sounds like mineral prospecting gear (sub bottom profiler). I have not heard of anyone making side scanning sonar fish finders illegal, anywhere. There are also Bass pro's that represent the manufacturer of side scanning fish finders that fish Kentucky Lake and if one of them had been busted we'd heard it from many news sources. My 2 cents

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fish2DMax

CatFan

that sounds like mineral prospecting gear (sub bottom profiler). I have not heard of anyone making side scanning sonar fish finders illegal, anywhere. There are also Bass pro's that represent the manufacturer of side scanning fish finders that fish Kentucky Lake and if one of them had been busted we'd heard it from many news sources. My 2 cents

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The lakes themselves aren't part of the LBL, so the rule doesn't apply there.

They don't want people looking for artifacts (mini-balls, guns, belt buckles, etc) from the civil war

It's illegal to pick up any "artifact" in LBL, it doesn't matter. It could be an old jar, marble or anything else that was left there. The same goes for stuff in the lake. Years ago buddy and I dug up a bunch of flowers from old home places we knew about, later we found out it was illegal.