Anyone Ever Gotten In Trouble Or Aske To Leave A Pond? 2025
Joedodge reply :
Here in fl most of our ponds and lakes are private property in one form or another. You guys still fish them? Ever asked to leave?
Matthew2000 reply :
If you ask the worst they can say is no. I don't see the point in fishing them anyway, you can be charged with trespassing as that point which isnt very fun. Same with corn fields for goose hunting, if you are polite most will say yes. I have been asked to leave the pond in my neighborhood but it's public property do they can't do anything but nag at me.
Crappiebasser reply :
Nope, wouldn't go there without the owners permission to start with.
Joedodge reply :
Most of outrs aren't true owned private ponds and lakes they are city owned, golf course ponds, or retirement home ponds and such. I'm not really talking like private home owner land
lazeebum reply :
Even if it's on a city owned golf course, get permission. You are still trespassing if you don't have permission. Depending on who you're dealing with, it could get expensive.
cyclops2 reply :
Most people leave trash behind when they leave it. Pee & crap near a bush or tree. All the things I do not want done to me.
Senko lover reply :
I try to not trespass or anything. It gives fishermen a bad image. I've gotten permission/access by being respectful and nice, something that's not happening if you get kicked out.
Joedodge reply :
I agree lol I don't want anyone thinking I condone this. It was a topic that came up at work today is all
BassinLou reply :
Yep, the bass in my Avatar pic. Less than 3 min after that pic was taken. FHP, ask me to leave the retention pond i was fishing. Don't know why til this day, no signs or fence. I remember someone from BR said that it was the troopers honey hole and he was making sure no one fished it... LOL!!
Joedodge reply :
Lol that's the funny thing a lot of ours have no fence, no signs, occasionaly you'll find a small sign in one spot lol
Captain Shane Procell reply :
I was given two warning shots that struck the water within 10 feet of my boat. Yes I was trespassing. Being young and dumb at the time I made a bad decision to ignore all the obvious no trespassing signs.
I also had a angry shotgun toting farmer run me off his pond. Now that I value my life and the rights of private property owners I would never fish any posted or private property.
Alonerankin2 reply :
I don't know where in Fl. You are able to fish, however the Osceola Forest has a abundance of ponds, pits, small lakes, etc.. Enough to probably fish a life time.
Catch 22 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 7:31 AM, cyclops2 said:Most people leave trash behind when they leave it. Pee & crap near a bush or tree. All the things I do not want done to me.
At my age you pee when /where you can. 
The big thing about fishing private or controlled properties now days is liability. There are a certain number of turds looking to sue someone /anyone.
Case/point.I asked a friend how to get into certain 40 acre pond . He told me where to go,find a dirt lane that goes to the back end of the pond, and leave a few bucks in a drop box, go fishing.Its been that way for a long time.
Well someone claims they got hurt back there and now are sueing the owner. So its now closed to all. I don't understand.
As a property owner of a place times past,I had a place with some hunting and fish to be had, I was VERY selective about who was allowed in there. Its a shame what its come to.
C22
Sam reply :
No.
Never want to put myself in that situation.
Will pass a pond or walk away from a dummy while bank fishing a public pond.
a1712 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 7:43 AM, Joedodge said:Lol that's the funny thing a lot of ours have no fence, no signs, occasionaly you'll find a small sign in one spot lol
I don't have NO TRESPASSING signs on my front door either, but come on in and start making a sandwich and I guarantee you won't like the outcome. Brian.
Mass Bassin' reply :
I sometimes ask but only for certain ponds and only being thirteen is good because if I do get kicked off the people don't get too mad
Joedodge reply :
It is a shame. Come to find out there's a lake that's behind the city hall where my wife works, me and a buddy fished this weekend caught some nice bass. Come to find out 20 foot behind us was a no trespassing and no fishing sign. Never saw it till going back today. Sucks no fence or anything one side is houses other is city hall and police station
gulfcaptain reply :
Golf Courses around where I live the fishing is great......too bad you spend most of your time hiding from the Sheriff's helicopter to really enjoy it. Bottom line they used to allow fishing there, but too many people trashed it, interfered with the golfers, and just screwed it up for everyone. Now it's a game of cat and mouse. If you're caught, bye bye fishing gear, hello trespassing charge. So I tend not to even bother.
Matthew2000 reply :
My grandfather works on a golf course and I know the owner very well. He and the other course owners in the area all said they don't care if you fish in their lakes as long as you follow three rules.
1. Ask
2. Don't leave stuff laying around like trash.
3. If you violate the rules or you leave your stuff without following rule 1 they get to keep your stuff.
So far I have scored about 40 cranks and couple reels and a lot of soft plastics.
Joedodge reply :
Lol that's what scares me is losing gear and trespassing charges lol
Joedodge reply :
Haha wow that's pretty cool
DRH2O reply :
flyfisher reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 8:06 AM, Catch 22 said:At my age you pee when /where you can.
The big thing about fishing private or controlled properties now days is liability. There are a certain number of turds looking to sue someone /anyone.
Case/point.I asked a friend how to get into certain 40 acre pond . He told me where to go,find a dirt lane that goes to the back end of the pond, and leave a few bucks in a drop box, go fishing.Its been that way for a long time.
Well someone claims they got hurt back there and now are sueing the owner. So its now closed to all. I don't understand.
As a property owner of a place times past,I had a place with some hunting and fish to be had, I was VERY selective about who was allowed in there. Its a shame what its come to.
C22
If you charge for someone to fish your pond then you are held liable...that is how it works and he should have known better other than trying to make a dollar off of people without doing the research first. He might have the IRS knocking too if he didn't claim the money as income too.
For me if it isn't on the DGIF website then i know it is not public. If i want to fish a pond i cannot find on the DGIF website, i try and find the owner and get permission. It isn't that hard to find the owner of a pond as all property ownership is public record an some counties even have searchable maps that show the owners and property boundaries so you don't even have to go to the court house.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
The only place I ever have a problem is whenever I am sent to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to work. I always carry a fishing rod or two with me there.
I mean, who goes to Walt Disney World with a fishing rod and an intention to fish? I'd say 99.999% of the people who go there do not carry a fishing pole and are going to see Mickey and his magic kingdom- which I could care less about.
Old Walt Disney drained some swamp lands back in the late 1960's and early 1970's and built a massive canal system there that is today loaded with bass that have never seen a lure.
And just about every single place I am sent out there has a nice canal or lake or pond nearby. As soon as I get off of work I grab the fishing pole and find me some place to fish where I can also hide from the view of security.
I have never had any problem with them other than being told to pack it in, even though it is not posted out there with any signs saying you can't fish, they just frown on it out there. I am usually asked if I throw them back and of course I always tell them I do- which is true. So security has been pretty laid back and cool with me over the many years I have fished out there and will continue to do so. It is just too good to resist and pass up!
Kind of cool fishing in view of Epcot, space mountain, the contemporary, and other classic Disney locations. Been doing it now for about 15 years out there and these days I am much more careful to not get caught- which is easy out there once you know the good locations!
B.A.S.S. is now running bass fishing at Walt Disney on some of the main lakes- which I avoid. Here is a link to their guided fishing:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/fishing/
http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/fishing.htm
http://www.floridabassfishing.com/disney-fishing/
***Fishing at Walt Disney World in Orlando is not illegal. I am a licensed Florida fisherman and the lakes belong to the state of Florida and the tax payers of this state by law for any body of water over a certain size which Disney does have surrounded by their private property. And, I have never seen a "no fishing" sign any where on Disney property ever. So if they have a no fishing rule out there they certainly do not declare it and this is why I carry a rod with me when I go out there. I am strictly catch and release for sport only. All Disney has ever asked of me is to stop and put the rod away which I do when asked. And the last time that happened was like 3 or 4 years ago.
HoosierHawgs reply :
I feel like if laid a pond like I'm thinking about doing if I can get some good land w/hunting to put it on.. I'd be that guy. I'd only want myself and close friends to enjoy such an investment. Especially with lawsuits to landowners, and trespassers ruining private ponds w/litter and introducing bad fish to a pond by dumping on left over minnows.On 1/21/2015 at 7:45 AM, Captain Shane Procell said:I was given two warning shots that struck the water within 10 feet of my boat. Yes I was trespassing. Being young and dumb at the time I made a bad decision to ignore all the obvious no trespassing signs.
I also had a angry shotgun toting farmer run me off his pond. Now that I value my life and the rights of private property owners I would never fish any posted or private property.
Alonerankin2 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 9:47 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:The only place I ever have a problem is whenever I am sent to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to work. I always carry a fishing rod or two with me there.
I mean, who goes to Walt Disney World with a fishing rod and an intention to fish? I'd say 99.999% of the people who go there do not carry a fishing pole and are going to see Mickey and his magic kingdom- which I could care less about.
Old Walt Disney drained some swamp lands back in the late 1960's and early 1970's and built a massive canal system there that is today loaded with bass that have never seen a lure.
And just about every single place I am sent out there has a nice canal or lake or pond nearby. As soon as I get off of work I grab the fishing pole and find me some place to fish where I can also hide from the view of security.
I have never had any problem with them other than being told to pack it in, even though it is not posted out there with any signs saying you can't fish, they just frown on it out there. I am usually asked if I throw them back and of course I always tell them I do- which is true. So security has been pretty laid back and cool with me over the many years I have fished out there and will continue to do so. It is just too good to resist and pass up!
Kind of cool fishing in view of Epcot, space mountain, the contemporary, and other classic Disney locations. Been doing it now for about 15 years out there and these days I am much more careful to not get caught- which is easy out there once you know the good locations!
B.A.S.S. is now running bass fishing at Walt Disney on some of the main lakes- which I avoid. Here is a link to their guided fishing:
http://www.floridabassfishing.com/disney-fishing/
***Fishing at Walt Disney World in Orlando is not illegal. I am a licensed Florida fisherman and the lakes belong to the state of Florida and the tax payers of this state by law for any body of water over a certain size which Disney does have surrounded by their private property. And, I have never seen a "no fishing" sign any where on Disney property ever. So if they have a no fishing rule out there they certainly do not declare it and this is why I carry a rod with me when I go out there. I am strictly catch and release for sport only. All Disney has ever asked of me is to stop and put the rod away which I do when asked. And the last time that happened was like 3 or 4 years ago.
Seems like I remember Denny Brauer do a show down there years ago. As far as Disney asking you to put your rod away, I wonder why? Also, when I lived in Fl. there was no state tax, is that still the case? Pretty sure it was Denny & Chad, lol..
Catch 22 reply :
Flyfisher, the place is not a pay/fish locale. Very few people even know about it. For the most part you have to know someone that would even tell how to get in there. Its a very casual good ole boy thing. Pay was optional.
The point is that the guy that filed probably had a false claim. Word gets around and spooks other property owners that might let people hunt or fish.Done
C22
flyfisher reply :
Even if it is not formal pay to fish if there is a pay box it is pay to fish and he is held liable....i only know because of a lot of access issues i worked on for rock climbing areas. Even if it is good old boy deal, laws still apply
RSM789 reply :
I have a long story about this, but will cut it down to medium length so as to not bore everyone.
Back in 1986, a friend told me about a lake he had come across in an area of our county that was just starting to be developed. He said it was called Oso Reservoir, that it was a small feeder lake to the (now) well known Lake Mission Viejo and that it was used to keep the Mission Viejo water level at a stable point. He told me that while Mission Viejo is a private lake, Oso was on public lands and could be fished if you had a license & were willing to make the trek to it. I bought a fishing license that day and got directions on where to park my truck & meet him there the next morning.
We parked on a public street next to some Model Homes that were being built & made the nearly mile walk through the brush. A quick climb up the earthen dam revealed a triangle shaped lake, about 3/4's of a mile long. No fencing, no signs, just a secluded little watershed tucked into the foothills. We caught about 30 bass in the 4 hours we were there, the hot July sun finally getting too much to bear. We decided to come back that evening for a few hours to finish off the day.
I arrived that late afternoon before my friend & headed off to the lake instead of waiting for him. I was fishing a spot about 100 yards down from the dam & the fish were just as willing to bite as they had been in the morning. I finally see my friend & another buddy of his crest the dam. I yell out & wave to him and as I do, suddenly there is the deafening roar directly behind me. Like a scene out of Apocolypse Now, a helicopter had flown low over the horizon, up over the hill behind me and was headed directly towards me. I look over to my friend & see him & his buddy running as fast as they can, now I have no idea what is going on. Scared out of my wits, I drop my pole and take a couple of steps back into a large bush to conceal myself. The helicopter buzzes over the top of me & then does a 180 so they are now facing me. I have no clue what is happening, so I just hunker down in the bush, not moving. After what seemed like an eternity, but was probably 15 seconds, the helicopter flew back over my head in the direction it had originally came from. I didn't move, instead just listened & noticed that while I could still hear the helicopter blades behind me, they were slowing down. I crept out of the bush, peered back behind me to see that the helicopter had landed on the shoreline. Just as I realized it was a police copter, I see a sheriff approaching me from the side, hand on his weapon & EXTREMELY ticked off.
By this time, I am freaking out. I knew this cop was livid and I had to do something to calm him down. I put my hands in the air as he approached me and he continued to yell at me 'What the hell are you doing?" For a reason that to this day I can't explain, I tapped my hands on my ears, made some phony sign-language signs and mumbled some nonsensical sounds. The sheriff stopped, looked at me oddly and said "What?". I repeated the gestures. The sheriff asked "Are you deaf?", to which I nodded yes (I must be a superb lip reader). He immediately calmed down, took his hand off his weapon & said "Oh, Ok." He pointed at my tackle box & rod and said slowly "Pick...up...your...gear..........You...are...under...arrest". I nodded again and as I gather my stuff, he pointed for me to walk up to the dam, where I saw a sheriff's cruiser parked with another cop talking to my friend & his buddy. I found out later there was a fire access road about 2 miles to the north that led to the dam, something we never saw but that was used by the sheriff to patrol the area.
Turns out this was not public land, but rather land owned by the developer of the model homes we had parked by. The cops put us all in the cruiser, took us back & around to where we had parked and ended up writing citations for trespassing. By this time, I had given up the deaf routine and the other sheriff had no idea what I had done earlier. We were able to keep our gear, but were looking at a fine in that could reach $100 (in 1986 dollars).
That evening, as I told my fiancé the story, I started to get a little uppity about the situation. After all, no fencing, no signs, how were we supposed to know it was private property? After a few hours of playing Perry Mason in my mind, I made the decision to return to Oso the next day, this time armed with a camera instead of fishing gear. I was going to build a bulletproof case to get out of the trespassing fine.
My fiancé went with me the following afternoon (a Sunday). I again parked next to the model homes, and told her to stay with my truck. I walked towards the dam, taking pictures along the way to show a lack of fencing or signage. As I get to the base of the dam, a security officer from the developer comes driving down the service road. I wait for him & when he pulls up, I show him the previous days citation and explain what I am doing. He says fine, but that I need to get into the truck so that he can escort me to the dam for the remaining pictures. We get to the top of the dam, he tells me I can get out to take the pictures I need & that he has to drive to the other end of the dam in order to turn around. When he comes back, I get back in his truck & he says "I went down to the other side of the dam to call the police (-this was before cell phones-). You knew you shouldn't have been here, so I had to report it. When the police get here, they will decide what to do". That was fine by me, I figured I could explain my situation & all would go well. He drove around the service road exit and then back over to where my fiancé was waiting. We all chatted, waiting for the sheriff to arrive. 10 minutes later, the sheriff shows up, pulls the security guide aside to talk with him for a few moments and then approaches me. Just as I get ready to start explaining myself, the sheriff says "Put your hands behind your back". I do as he says, but respond incredulously "You have got to be kidding!". As he handcuffs me, he says "I don't kid about this". A few minutes later, I am being taken down to Santa Ana county jail, where I was booked & then released on my own recognizance.
Turns out the sheriff told the security guy that it was up to him what the sheriff would do, either warn me or arrest me. The security guard told him to arrest me, which he probably later regretted as my sweet, innocent fiancé freaked out and started dropping F Bombs at him for doing that (after the sheriff left).
Without getting into anymore lengthy details, I ended up pleading my case when my hearing came up, using the pictures I had taken and the fact that I had bought a fishing license the day prior (showing that I was under the impression that it was a legal place to fish). Both the arrest & fine for me were dropped, but my buddy & his friend ended up having to pay about 35 bucks for their tickets (no fishing license). A couple of years later, the developer entered into an agreement with a private party to allow Oso to be fished as a private lake in exchange for waving of all liability and for the private party to provide security. If I am correct, lake access is now under control of the Boyscouts.
Ironic thing is that where I live now is about 3 miles away from the lake and a toll road goes right over that same dam, so I see the lake on a near daily basis.
fisherrw reply :
x2On 1/21/2015 at 7:34 AM, Senko lover said:I try to not trespass or anything. It gives fishermen a bad image. I've gotten permission/access by being respectful and nice, something that's not happening if you get kicked out.
fisherrw reply :
same hereOn 1/21/2015 at 7:31 AM, cyclops2 said:Most people leave trash behind when they leave it. Pee & crap near a bush or tree. All the things I do not want done to me.
SirSnookalot reply :
In South Florida where I live many places are gated you can't get in, even some of the canals that are public are being fenced. Addressing ponds I go by my gut feeling even if they are no fishing or trespassing signs, you can usually tell if a problem will arise. Communities with single homes or condos may not work so well but apartment complexes seem to pose little problems. I have been fishing a couple of golf courses early in the morning, been working out pretty good. I can leave my car on the road and walk right in, I try to fish as far from the houses as I can. I know the golf course so I fish the holes that are later in the round, so no golfers. I'm neat and well dressed and don't do any bucket fishing. I don't spend more than about 15-20 minutes at each pond, I've got my rotation planned out pretty good. So far the early morning crew cutting grass just drive by and say nothing or give me the high sign if I have nice fish on the line.
Sam reply :
Florida Fishing Fool,
Would you believe my wife is planning a February trip to Disneyworld for us, my son, his wife and the two heathens and I told her that I am going fishing at Disneyworld.
So you can imagine how great it was to see your link for Disney fishing.
As I read your post, I can hire a guide and be legal; or take some fishing equipment and try my luck on any water by the cottage we will rent for the week.
If no one comes around and stops me from fishing any water by our cottage then I can have some fun.
What do you think of me fishing on my own near the cottage?
Catch 22 reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 11:11 AM, flyfisher said:Even if it is not formal pay to fish if there is a pay box it is pay to fish and he is held liable....i only know because of a lot of access issues i worked on for rock climbing areas. Even if it is good old boy deal, laws still apply
I agree and understand perfectly.
Confusion arose here. The phrase "I don`t understand" was substituted by the site computer for three well known letters that express frustration. Thou shalt not use them again.
C22
fishballer06 reply :
I got ran off some land that I thought was public while salmon fishing this fall. There was 4 of down at this creek fishing. After about an hour or two, the owner came down and started speaking to me and kindly asked me to leave. I said we would happily oblige, and then I went on to start talking to him about fishing and hunting. I ended up talking to the guy for almost 2 hours while the rest of my guys kept fishing and catching fish. He ended up saying that we could stay and fish as much as we want, and then he went up and asked the adjacent property owner if we could fish on their land as well. He came back down and told us we could and he told us how far we could fish each way up/down the stream. We were very grateful for this, and we were told we could come back next year and fish all we wanted. So at Christmas this year, we sent both property owners a $100 Wal Mart gift card for giving us permission to fish their land.
SirSnookalot reply :
The ranger waved to me this morning, if anyone would be asking me to leave it would have been him.
basscatcher8 reply :
Fishing a creek from shore where access is a bridge that walks over it. Had a farmer come and wait for us to step over the 30 foot mark from the bridge and proceeded to rip us a new ass for being on his land. He kept telling us he ran us off before and I had never seen the guy before. He didnt call the cops or anything. We just said screw it and left. I'm going to find a way to get a boat up to there one day cause the bass were loaded over on his property.
HoosierHawgs reply :
That was very generous on part of both parties. I wish people would understand the whole give and take thing..On 1/21/2015 at 10:29 PM, fishballer06 said:I got ran off some land that I thought was public while salmon fishing this fall. There was 4 of down at this creek fishing. After about an hour or two, the owner came down and started speaking to me and kindly asked me to leave. I said we would happily oblige, and then I went on to start talking to him about fishing and hunting. I ended up talking to the guy for almost 2 hours while the rest of my guys kept fishing and catching fish. He ended up saying that we could stay and fish as much as we want, and then he went up and asked the adjacent property owner if we could fish on their land as well. He came back down and told us we could and he told us how far we could fish each way up/down the stream. We were very grateful for this, and we were told we could come back next year and fish all we wanted. So at Christmas this year, we sent both property owners a $100 Wal Mart gift card for giving us permission to fish their land.
bigbill reply :
Ok I'm fishing a newer small swamp from a road off a low bridge. It's not my usual low bridge hot spot. There are smaller bass in many numbers but so far a 30" picketed has been my biggest fish there. It's legal to fish from a road from a bridge because I'm not on the property owners land. It's stated that the property owner doesn't own the water he owns the land around the water. The property was sold and the new owner was flexing his authority a little and asked me to leave.
I went and asked the state deep the environmental people and I got both answers.
One is I'm legal. The other find another spot to fish.
I'm disabled and fish not too far from the car. This was the best spot I ever found to date. In the spring I'm going to purse this issue further.
We're losing more and more legal fishing areas by law. The land owner doesn't know the law. It's time to educate everyone on there rights to fish.
I was never like this before but it's getting worse and worse for handicapped people to fish. The areas they do have handicap fishing at we couldn't catch a cold on a good day. It's silly what areas they pick out for us.
As a teenager we were run off of private land by the land owner with a shotgun.
geo g reply :
Most definitely, I have one pond I can only fish on Sunday afternoons after the guard leaves the DSL site, in Plantation., Any other day of the week you'll be asked to leave in minutes. Fishing is good so I wait him out!
Cleveland Clinic will kick you out of the west canal even though its on a South Florida Water Management Easement., and not their property. I don't argue, I just move to my next spot. 
Chris S reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 8:49 PM, Sam said:Florida Fishing Fool,
Would you believe my wife is planning a February trip to Disneyworld for us, my son, his wife and the two heathens and I told her that I am going fishing at Disneyworld.
So you can imagine how great it was to see your link for Disney fishing.
As I read your post, I can hire a guide and be legal; or take some fishing equipment and try my luck on any water by the cottage we will rent for the week.
If no one comes around and stops me from fishing any water by our cottage then I can have some fun.
What do you think of me fishing on my own near the cottage?
Good thing its Disney World not Disneyland!! http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/unvaccinated-students-told-stay-home-measles-fears-28351164
Chris S reply :
I have been ask to leave a few golf course ponds in Florida, I took a rod and reel golfing with me once and the Ranger found no humor in me fishing while waiting for a backed up par 3 
BassinLou reply :
On 1/22/2015 at 3:14 AM, Chris S said:Good thing its Disney World not Disneyland!! http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/unvaccinated-students-told-stay-home-measles-fears-28351164
Not to hijack the thread, I was gifted a Disney Charter last year. It was a unique experience for sure.
South FLA reply :
Anytime anyone goes to Orlando, I suggest you bring a fishing rod with a spinner-bait or a worm! Most large hotels and resorts have retention ponds and canals and if you get early enough you can fish them no problem. Full of HAWGS too. I lived in Orlando for 3 years and it was some of the best bank fishing ever!
bonzai22 reply :
I've only been kicked out of one neighborhood and I was kicked out multiple times because there was a guy with a clip board that had nothing better to do. First he said I had to have someone with me that lived there so I left. Then came back next time with somebody that lived there but they were just watching me fish. Then he told me they had to be fishing with me so he made me leave again. He seemed to make up new rules every time just to kick me out so eventually I stopped going. There were a lot of big fish in there so I think he just didn't want me sore mouthing all of his fish lol
zachb34 reply :
Key to bank fishing in iffy areas is the good ole smile and wave. Works a majority of the time if not just politely leave when asked.
Djf3864 reply :
There are almost no private lakes/ponds where I live, it is all public land that is cared for by the State.
Golf courses are one thing that I don't fish, which obviously would be privately owned (though there is one public that is up in NH) but we have enough bodies of water that I don't need to venture there to fish.
RSM789 reply :
On 1/23/2015 at 12:08 PM, zachb34 said:Key to bank fishing in iffy areas is the good ole smile and wave. Works a majority of the time if not just politely leave when asked.
Unlike most other younger guys, you have already figured out one of the keys to life. Congratulations.
Rhino68W reply :
I found this lovely little pond off of the beaten path in my town (the same pond I caught my 2 PBs at). It had a dirt road that lead to it and was only about 1oo yards from the main road behind some woods. No gate, No stay out signs or anything. I even saw tons of people running and walking their dogs and whatnot around it. So I started bank fishing it. One day another gentleman pulled up in his SUV with his 2 sons and asked how I was doing. I politely told him I had caught a few bass and let them go, just some dinks. I only catch and release. He asked if I had premission form the land owner, I said no, as I thought it was public due to its superb location and running/walking traffic it recieves. He gave me the guys work number and I called and asked permission. I also explained to him that I had been fishing it for about 3 months and released everything, He said YES! But 3 weeks later there was a gate up at the entrance
rabidsquirrel reply :
On 1/21/2015 at 7:40 AM, BassinLou said:Yep, the bass in my Avatar pic. Less than 3 min after that pic was taken. FHP, ask me to leave the retention pond i was fishing. Don't know why til this day, no signs or fence. I remember someone from BR said that it was the troopers honey hole and he was making sure no one fished it... LOL!!
Most ponds in FL are legal to fish unless it is private property. If there weren't any signs or fencing, you were within your rights to fish it. However, arguing with Johnny Law isn't wise, even when you are in the right.
Few people realize that most newer developments treat the ponds/lakes on within as public waters. If a community has a CDD, those bodies of water default as 'public' - unless they have specific policies against fishing. I'm on my community's CDD board. We are a gated community, so getting in is unlikely unless you reside there or are a guest of a resident. If you are going to fish ponds within developments, make sure you are doing everything 'right' like having a current fishing license, catch & release, etc... You want to do this in case someone does call the cops. Unless there are posted signs saying no fishing, you are generally OK, and the cop won't be able to do anything to you. Even if you know it is OK, don't fish behind someone's house unless you know them and have gotten their permission. Otherwise you might have your fishing briefly interrupted by some irate owner, or the police. Many of the owners don't know or understand that there are public easements around the ponds in most newer communities that have a CDD. It's just less of a hassle if you know the owners on near that pond. I may have rambled a bit here, but hopefully most of you get where I'm coming from.
TL;DR - It's always good to get permission, even when you don't technically need it.
a1712 reply :
Since when does no signs or fencing make something legal? Brian.
Penguino reply :
In Jersey, where I live, half of the retention ponds have signs that say it is illegal to fish in or the water is dangerous (total bs). And the other half have fences and signs claiming private property (while in reality, they are public ponds). Honestly, I don't mind any of these warnings and just fish wherever I want, unless the pond is actually on somebodys property. To this day, I still haven't gotten a warning or been reported for fishing in these areas.
SirSnookalot reply :
In my part of Florida communities gated or otherwise are private property. A pond less than 20 acres entirely on private property does not require a license to fish any where in Florida. Property lines differ in various communities, some go right to the waters edge and some don't go that far. In the case that the property line does not go to the waters edge that area is open to anyone living in that community, that's how mine is. I'm free to fish behind any ones house where I live, not that I would do it at 6 am for fear of waking some one up.
FishTank reply :
Sure, at local golf course even though they were closed for good. I get it but everybody fishes it.
A pond on a coal mines property. This one was kind of an accident but it took two policemen and about 10 security guards to ask me to leave, which I did gladly. I did however catch about 10 5lb+ large mouths before hand. Awesome day of fishing.
The one that irritates me though... I fish and hike at local park all the time. It's kind of a nice honey hole. The land and water are owned by the city and the pond is on the DNR's list of family friendly fishing spots but a few people that live nearby think they own it, literally. They have tried to chase people by banging pots and pans and yelling on blow horns. I think the local park management has finally settled them down but they continue to be a nuisance. They just ask people to leave. I just blow them off but treat them politely.
cbass12 reply :
In high school I had permission at a 3 acre pond in a subdivision that my best friend lived in. He and I had taken the time to speak to a few of the homeowners since it was techincally in the neighborhood right next to my buddy's. One of the homeowners was even a formal Royals player whose kid I knew from little league. They were all very nice and were fine with us fishing there, so needless to say we would fish around almost the entire pond everytime we went. One day I took a family friend's kid with me and as we made our way around, one of the homeowners who was foregin came out and started yelling at me to stop fishing and to put back the fish I had just caught. I politely explained to him that I had permission from several homeowners around the pond and that I do not keep any of the fish I catch. He continued to yell at me to stop fishing and to leave. I continued to fish and ignored him for a minute, until he started threatening to call the cops. I didn't really think it was worth the fight so I packed up my stuff and left.
greentrout reply :
I respect private property and never fish a pond or body of water without permission. At work, meet folks find out they live in nice private communities get permission to fish no problem. Years back drove up to many a farm pond owner's home and asked permission to fish the water. Few told me to get off their property and don't come back. Most said no or yes politely. Always be neat and polite. Enough said yes to give me some of the best LMB fishing of my fishing life.
Old school basser...
SFL BassHunter reply :
I've only been kicked out once. It was up in Boca and this pond is in front of the community. My friend and I were catching a bass on almost every cast, we only lasted 10 minutes there. An old fart (I call him that cause he doesn't deserve being called an elderly gentlemen) drove by and saw us, came out of his car and started yelling at us using foul language and threatened us with calling the cops if we weren't packed up and gone within 5 minutes. He called the community security guard over who was nice enough and had seen us fishing but didn't care. But now he had no choice but to tell the guy, hey sorry I didn't see them from the security guard house, otherwise he probably would have got in trouble.He stood there and watched us pack up till we left. The crappy part was I had a major wind knot on my bait caster and was trying to get that sorted out when he showed up lol. I had to walk out of there with a bunch of line in one hand , my rods in the other.
RSM789 reply :
On 1/24/2015 at 9:31 AM, a1712 said:Since when does no signs or fencing make something legal? Brian.
It doesn't, but what it does do is make the situation ambiguous.
With fencing & signs, you eliminate the chance of people not knowing they are on private property. Anyone who bypasses those measures to fish an area knows they are breaking the law and should be dealt with appropriately.
However, no signs or fencing means there is no differentiation between private or public property. In that situation, well intentioned & law abiding folks can make an understandable error and end up someplace they should not be.
flyfisher reply :
it is real easy to see if a pond is public or not, just look at the DGIF for your state. if the pond isn't listed it isn't public. And for anyone who says they just disregard the signs and fences anyways well, thanks for giving us law abiding fisherman a bad name.
a1712 reply :
On 1/26/2015 at 8:22 AM, flyfisher said:it is real easy to see if a pond is public or not, just look at the DGIF for your state. if the pond isn't listed it isn't public. And for anyone who says they just disregard the signs and fences anyways well, thanks for giving us law abiding fisherman a bad name.
I always felt if it's not mine it's someone elses and I should ask permission or find out first. Brian.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Yup... This right here sums it up.On 1/26/2015 at 3:48 AM, RSM789 said:It doesn't, but what it does do is make the situation ambiguous.
With fencing & signs, you eliminate the chance of people not knowing they are on private property. Anyone who bypasses those measures to fish an area knows they are breaking the law and should be dealt with appropriately.
However, no signs or fencing means there is no differentiation between private or public property. In that situation, well intentioned & law abiding folks can make an understandable error and end up someplace they should not be.
ABW reply :
This past summer I was fishing with a friend in a local park, and a kid that is doing community service tells me that I'm not allowed to fish. (It's legal to fish here and I wasn't littering or anything.) Then, he threatened to call the DNR and get my "poles taken away". I said go ahead sarcastically and he told me that he was going to punch me in the face..
Another time I was fishing alone when some kids nearby started yelling at me asking me if I had my license, and that they were going to get me arrested because I didn't respond. (I'm 16 so I don't need one here, but I'll be sure to get one when I'm 18.
So not really getting in trouble, but I thought I'd share.
SirSnookalot reply :
Addressing only the area of South Florida where I live, it isn't difficult to know if you are on public or private property, signs or no signs. There are private spots where you just know that isn't the place to be and other private spots that probably won't pose a problem. A little common sense goes a long way.
As invader we think that we are causing no harm, why should people care. On the other side when people come into my community I always don't like it for a variety of reasons. Being human I flow with the opportunities that favor me, you bet I'm selfish and I'm not the only one.
last week I wanted to fish a community that I know holds peacocks, I even have a friend living there but I didn't want to bother her. I drove up the gatehouse and asked the guard, he was nice but declined. I did have to respect the fact that it's his job not to let anyone in that doesn't belong there.
Bankbeater reply :
If it is posted "No Fishing" or "No Trespassing" I don't go there, plain and simple. There is usually a reason why those signs are up.
LunkercityVB reply :
Private property as in farmers pond or local home owners property i always stay away from unless i have permission, but for some reason here in VA every pond that says NO TRESSPASSING or NO FISHING usually has the biggest fish and I take my chances. Most of the time people dont really care, and 9/10 they are just gonna ask you to leave. I do have a friend that fishes a a local small lake here that brings a trashbag and cleans up trash for about a half hour before he fishes which seems like a great idea. --tightlines
flyfisher reply :
Knowingly disregarding the law and people's wishes on their property is what gives fisherman a bad name. If you take your chances, why not take your chances by asking permission. I have been denied permission on a few lakes where they specifically stated that too many people already fish there without permission and they have to run them off so they do not want anyone to fish there to prevent any possible misconceptions that it is perfectly ok to fish there without permission.
So to you, i say thanks for making my permission obtaining more difficult by knowingly ignoring laws and people's wishes.
On 1/30/2015 at 9:53 PM, LunkercityVB said:Private property as in farmers pond or local home owners property i always stay away from unless i have permission, but for some reason here in VA every pond that says NO TRESSPASSING or NO FISHING usually has the biggest fish and I take my chances. Most of the time people dont really care, and 9/10 they are just gonna ask you to leave. I do have a friend that fishes a a local small lake here that brings a trashbag and cleans up trash for about a half hour before he fishes which seems like a great idea. --tightlines
LunkercityVB reply :
"hawg" like i said before...personal property is different. The property im referring to is usually city or state property and even in some cases shopping center ponds and in those cases there's not just a door to walk up to and ask. Most of the people that control the laws on these areas are city cops and the few that I've ran into are actually just curious to see if anyones catching fish in these ponds and never ask us to leave. Don't think for a secong im a disrepectful fisherman that gives other saints like yourself a bad name. If im asked to leave I'm always polite and leave, its kinda like speeding. Everyone does it, but if I get caught im not gonna act like its the officers fault, accept the ticket and move on.
SirSnookalot reply :
I've fished some of those Mall ponds. A mall is private property, some company owns the land and leases to the stores. I've been left alone for the most part, once in a while security will ask me to leave. I don't often park at a strip center, the parking spots are vital for the businesses. Most larger malls should pose no real problem, the ponds are usually a good distance from the stores.
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