Asking permission 2024
Chaddy reply :
If this isn't in the right place sorry.
I just want to know how y'all go about asking permission to fish ponds? I've ask four different people at four different ponds and have been turned down everytime!
flyfisher reply :
usually you have to give something to get something. Make them feel at ease and say you will pick up trash and not keep any fish etc...or if they want fish to eat you can always offer to give them fish too. You kind of have to play it by ear and read the person as you are talking to determine the route to go
Chaddy reply :
Has this happened to any of y'all much?
N Florida Mike reply :
At work I go to homes to consult potential customers.Many of them have ponds behind their houses.I try to treat them like I would want to be treated.This often leads to new friendships and makes it easy to ask permission.I have several new ponds to fish this year because of this. You're doing right by asking, so you'll eventually succeed.
2 teens knocked on doors around my lake and got several permissions!
I do try to be careful in feeling out the situation.Sometimes my gut feeling isn't good so I don't ask,but the better looking the pond is,the bolder I get!!? I actually fish a little to get permission.I never immediately mention the pond,but I eventually get around to it.Then I might say.I bet there's some fish in that pond etc.And based on the response I may go further and say something like, You wouldn't believe what I've seen come out of ponds like this.Next thing you know,theyre telling me I can come fish anytime,a and I never even have to ask !!
NHBull reply :
Years ago, I stumbled on a nice 35 acre pond with river input and dam controlled.
I walked up to the owners home and asked if he minded if I walked around and admire it with my lunch. He came out and gave me a little tour. 45 minutes later he said I could use his aluminum row boat and fish at will........as long as I treated it as if it was mine.
Respect goes a long way as does a firm handshake, eye to eye contact,
Angry John reply :
My success has been greatly improved by bringing a kid along. My little girl melts hearts and i seem to do well when she goes with. In CT i never had any luck at all people in the north east haven been very friendly as down south or out west.
BuzzHudson19c reply :
A bottle of whiskey goes a long way in softening up a land owner.
Also, assure the land owner that only you will be fishing it or that if you bring someone you are responsible for your fishing partner. Many people are hesitant to grant permission because it becomes a free for all.
greentrout reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 7:50 AM, Chaddy said:If this isn't in the right place sorry.
I just want to know how y'all go about asking permission to fish ponds? I've ask four different people at four different ponds and have been turned down everytime!
Congratulate yourself for asking permission. Too many do not. Respect for private property is important. As an old salesman who has sold products & services, you have a few seconds to make a good first impression. Make sure you are presentable. Be honest and tell them you will respect the property and will keep it clean and return the fish to the pond. Tell you no. Move on. The next one is a yes. Been there done that.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 9:19 AM, Angry John said:My success has been greatly improved by bringing a kid along. My little girl melts hearts and i seem to do well when she goes with. In CT i never had any luck at all people in the north east haven been very friendly as down south or out west.
Yep, only time I've ever had any luck getting into a place is when I have my sidekick along with me.
Angealy reply :
I'll be honest, I almost always ask for permission out of a way respect and if i'm told no "Hasn't happened yet" then i move on.
Most the time though, I'm told sure go ahead as long as you are respectful and i try to be.
I try not to leave any trash behind/pickup after myself, I'll fish the spot for some time catch/release then i'll clean up after myself and head home.
I believe if you do this, You'll be just fine 
Fishes in trees reply :
What neighborhood do you live in? You're just 0 for 4 - as a rookie - that ain't so bad.There are a few different ways to look at this. Is it a presentation issue? When you ask, do you look "skuffy" or are you presentable. Are you sure you're asking the right person? ( might be you'd have better luck with the guys wife, or visa versa )
Are you "cold calling" or have you met these property owners through some other means. (cold calling is tough )
My advice - figure out where you want to fish (Google Earth helps here). Find out who owns the property. (county court house)
BE PRESENTABLE - and have something to offer.
lonnie g reply :
I usually always offer to catch and clean some or them If they want. and I usually tell them I just fish for fun and release everything back. be sure to thank them. and I tend to ask If I can be of service to them in anyway.
CoBass reply :
Something that hasn't been mentioned yet. Many people deny permission to fish because of liability issues. How do they know you're not the kind of person who will sue them if you get hurt on their property? I have gotten permission to fish a couple of ponds by printing off a generic waiver of liability form where you can just write in the names and location of the property and sign it. People tend to be more accommodating when they know there is no chance they will be held responsible if something bad happens.
Koz reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 11:32 PM, CoBass said:Many people deny permission to fish because of liability issues. How do they know you're not the kind of person who will sue them if you get hurt on their property? I have gotten permission to fish a couple of ponds by printing off a generic waiver of liability form where you can just write in the names and location of the property and sign it.
It's pretty sad that it's come to that nowadays.
A5BLASTER reply :
First off good on you for doing it right and asking for permission to fish their ponds, seems most people now a days think if they see it they can hunt or fish it.
I have never asked to fish someone's pond, but that's due to where I live lots of public water to fish, but I grow up in a area that has lots of waterfowl hunters and even though my family has land we always seemed to be out searching for land to hunt with permission of course, so maybe some of this will help you.
1. Be clean shaved and well dressed.
2. Might sound silly but fix your hair.
3. 1 and 2 combined to make three is look and act professinal.
4. Use proper english, no slang talk, you aren't in the hood.
5. Firm hand shake and direct eye contact at all times.
6. Smile and good hygiene, don't show up smelling like a numb or like a bar.
7. Be truthful and honest about your intentions.
8. Make them a deal, give them fish and offer to help clean around the pond, cut grass, pick up trash, or any work that should need be done.
9. It's a lil sneaky but always bring a child and are a good looking woman with good manners and well dressed.
10. Also something most don't think about wash your dang truck and don't have trash in it are pools and tackle sticking out of it, when you go ask for permission that gives off a image of I'm asking so you have to say yes.
11. Always ask for permission for just yourself and or kids and wife, never go full bore and ask to bring your buddy's and don't show up with all your buddy's that tends to set owners back as you app rich them as a group, might make them frightful of you.
12. Provide references, if it's a bigger neiborhood and you have permission for other ponds in the area and the owner might know the other owners ponds you fish, let them know such and such can speak on your behave on how upstanding you are.
13. And this is the most important of all, get use to being told no and still smile and be of good cheer and manners, later down the road in crossing the owner my strike up conversation with you and remember how well mannered youare and that will give you anouther chance at fishing his or her's water.
Hope some of this helps you sir, this is the tatics I have used all my life to get permission for hunting so it should work for fishing as well.
Good luck and tight lines.
ClackerBuzz reply :
Always introduce yourself by your first and last name.
and..
"I'd only be fishing today and I'll always knock and ask permission first. I'd never come onto your property unannounced."
Chaddy reply :
I live in a rural area in central North Carolina where there's nothing but pastures. So there's a lot of farm ponds around me.
Angry John reply :
On 6/28/2017 at 4:16 AM, Chaddy said:I live in a rural area in central North Carolina where there's nothing but pastures. So there's a lot of farm ponds around me.
Never seen a farmer who could not use a hand for a bit. It may be worth your time something for nothing is not the best approach.
BassWhole! reply :
On 6/28/2017 at 12:09 AM, A5BLASTER said:First off good on you for doing it right and asking for permission to fish their ponds, seems most people now a days think if they see it they can hunt or fish it.
I have never asked to fish someone's pond, but that's due to where I live lots of public water to fish, but I grow up in a area that has lots of waterfowl hunters and even though my family has land we always seemed to be out searching for land to hunt with permission of course, so maybe some of this will help you.
1. Be clean shaved and well dressed.
2. Might sound silly but fix your hair.
3. 1 and 2 combined to make three is look and act professinal.
4. Use proper english, no slang talk, you aren't in the hood.
5. Firm hand shake and direct eye contact at all times.
6. Smile and good hygiene, don't show up smelling like a numb or like a bar.
7. Be truthful and honest about your intentions.
8. Make them a deal, give them fish and offer to help clean around the pond, cut grass, pick up trash, or any work that should need be done.
9. It's a lil sneaky but always bring a child and are a good looking woman with good manners and well dressed.
10. Also something most don't think about wash your dang truck and don't have trash in it are pools and tackle sticking out of it, when you go ask for permission that gives off a image of I'm asking so you have to say yes.
11. Always ask for permission for just yourself and or kids and wife, never go full bore and ask to bring your buddy's and don't show up with all your buddy's that tends to set owners back as you app rich them as a group, might make them frightful of you.
12. Provide references, if it's a bigger neiborhood and you have permission for other ponds in the area and the owner might know the other owners ponds you fish, let them know such and such can speak on your behave on how upstanding you are.
13. And this is the most important of all, get use to being told no and still smile and be of good cheer and manners, later down the road in crossing the owner my strike up conversation with you and remember how well mannered youare and that will give you anouther chance at fishing his or her's water.
Hope some of this helps you sir, this is the tatics I have used all my life to get permission for hunting so it should work for fishing as well.
Good luck and tight lines.
Perfect. I was just thinking treat it like a job interview. I'll just add cover your tattoos if you have them. Some folks might react negatively to them. Also even if its a no, continue to be pleasant and positive. If you see something that needs some work, like the grass or a fence, offer to fix it no strings attached. Of course if the fishing is really off the hook in the pond, then you do what you got to do.
[Roy Munson "paying the rent"]
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
To quote a few of my elder family members, "pull up your g. d. pants and put your hat on straight." That would be #14 on the list above!
I also second offering to do some work, and as a few others mentioned, talking a bit about fishing and leading up to the pond can change the type of "work" that you do. A lot of times, people who won't let you fish their ponds will do so because of issues with others releasing invasive species as a favor unknowingly or with malice. I've had a few folks get really happy when I offer to throw out a catfish arsenal after someone stocked a flathead that had a taste for bass (he was tasty) and I put out a jugline for turtles if I bring the kayak. Between that and scrubbing duck $h!+ off the dock, I can take as many panfish as I want and can catch & release lots of healthy smallmouth.
gimruis reply :
I would approach the same way I do when I'm seeking permission to hunt on private land. Knock on the door and ask. Sometimes they say yes and sometimes they say no.
NCbassraider reply :
I own an 8 acre pond and get asked almost daily for permission to fish it. Unfortunately the answer is always no. The main reason is that it is located on my business property and my insurance policy will not allow it.
Unfortunately, that is the world we live in. If someone gets hurt or dies on my property the personal injury lawyers will line up and clean me out and my Insurance will not cover any of it.
To be honest, I don't want anyone else besides my friends and family out there anyway. We worked very hard to be able to afford this property and don't want a bunch of extra pressure on the fish from strangers.
I always treat those that ask with the utmost respect since the did the right thing. Sadly many just ignore the Posted signs and sneak on. Those people get the Game Warden, who I have on speed dial. He likes crappie fishing and I like fast response time;)
scaleface reply :
I have a hard time knocking on a door to ask permission . Fortunately for me there is a lot of public fishing lakes around .
When I was a teenager about 17 I wanted to fish this quarry . People have built a house on it . I knocked on the door and a lady answered . When I asked about fishing she wanted to know what part of town I was from . I told her and then she turned me down . I was from the poor part . I have not knocked on a door since .
PECo reply :
Regarding liability, some states protect landowners from liability when they allow recreational use of their land without charge. Connecticut is one of those states. In fact, the original 1971 law was broadened in 2011. You have to read the statute in context, including the definitions, to properly understand it, but here's the gist of it:
Quote
Sec. 52-557g. Liability of owner of land available to public for recreation; exceptions. (a) Except as provided in section 52-557h, an owner of land who makes all or any part of the land available to the public without charge, rent, fee or other commercial service for recreational purposes owes no duty of care to keep the land, or the part thereof so made available, safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes, or to give any warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure or activity on the land to persons entering for recreational purposes.
(b) Except as provided in section 52-557h, an owner of land who, either directly or indirectly, invites or permits without charge, rent, fee or other commercial service any person to use the land, or part thereof, for recreational purposes does not thereby: (1) Make any representation that the premises are safe for any purpose; (2) confer upon the person who enters or uses the land for recreational purposes the legal status of an invitee or licensee to whom a duty of care is owed; or (3) assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to person or property caused by an act or omission of the owner.
(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be deemed applicable to the duties and liability of an owner of land leased to the state or any subdivision thereof for recreational purposes.
That said, I once received permission from a riparian landowner to launch my kayak from his property and fish. The next time I saw him, he refused, because a bunch of shore fishermen made a mess on his property. That's why I get really ticked off at litterbugs, especially when they're fishermen.
Lures'n'Liberty reply :
On 6/29/2017 at 11:15 AM, NCbassraider said:I always treat those that ask with the utmost respect since the did the right thing. Sadly many just ignore the Posted signs and sneak on. Those people get the Game Warden, who I have on speed dial. He likes crappie fishing and I like fast response time;)
They are awfully lucky if they get the game warden. I know a few farmers around here that like the old rock salt in the 12 ga trick.
the reel ess reply :
On 6/27/2017 at 8:30 AM, Chaddy said:Has this happened to any of y'all much?
Actually, I've asked 7 people if I may fish their ponds and have only been flatly turned down once and that was because the lady's daughter and son in law use the place as a stay-cation home. She told me she would have been cool with it otherwise. I only fish three of those places now because most ponds are not that great. If neglected, they usually turn into a pool of stunted minnows. Or they think of their fish as pets and don't want any taken out, which leads to the same dink issues.
I have noticed that, the older the owner is, the more likely they'll want you to fish their pond. They like to come down and talk with somebody and like the idea of the security of another set of eyes on their property and someone actively managing the fishery.
If they like to eat fish, set up a basket and put your catch in it. Or if you eat fish, clean them and give the owner half. Try to come to some arrangement that benefits the owner.
One more idea. Do you have a local fish hatchery? We do and it has a managed pond on it. The DNR manager uses people doing community service to mow the grass and do a few chores when he can get them. You could offer to help out once in a while in exchange for fishing permission. If you can't come to an arrangement, don't do the chores.
N Florida Mike reply :
I let some kids fish in my backyard,which is the same thing a friend's dad did for me in the same lake.The first group were from the local apartments ,that were built on what used to be cow pasture.They were poor kids and I felt kind of sorry for them and let them fish.But only when I was home.My daughter let them in when I wasn't home and opened my fishing room to them.When I got home they were gone,but nearly every one of my combos were laying all over my backyard and nearly all with backlashes.My daughters fault not there's. They never knocked on my door again!
Chaddy reply :
Got turned down two more times this week. O-6 now.
Chaddy reply :
Anybody thank I'll ever get told yes!
Bluebasser86 reply :
Don't know about your area, but I've never been told yes unless I've got some kind of connection with the owner. I don't "cold call" very often, mainly because it just doesn't work for me.
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