We’ve all been there: you haul the boat to the “big water” in June, turn the key, and… crickets. Instead of a day of glory, you get a day of swearing at a spark plug while your family judges you from the dock.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is staging an intervention. For two days only, they’re lifting the “no gas motors” rule at Lake Elmo so you can make sure your rig actually runs before the season starts.

The Deets:

• When: Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, May 16.
• The Window: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Don’t show up at 3:00 p.m. expecting a pass).
• Where: Lake Elmo State Park.

The Fine Print:

• No Zooming: It’s still a no-wake zone. This is a “check the seals and hear the purr” event, not a “see how fast we can skip across the reservoir” event. Keep it calm.
• Free Checkups: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will be hanging out by the ramp. They’ll inspect your gear for free to make sure you’re actually shipshape (and legal) before you hit the real waves.

Usually, Lake Elmo is strictly for the electric trolling crowd. It is a rare “hall pass” for your internal combustion engine. Use it wisely, get your safety stickers, and avoid being “that guy” stranded at the marina next month.

Tip: If it doesn’t start at the lake, it’s better to find out now than 10 miles offshore.

For more info, head over to fwp.mt.gov/lake-elmo.