I've been watching these videos on YouTube of these guys fishing on golf course ponds and catching some hogs. I'm pretty sure they are in like Florida or Georgia and that's quite a ways away from Minnesota. I was wondering how you even find out if there are fish in golf course ponds and if any of you guys have tried it.
Just remember. If somone yells "Fore!" it doesn't mean they caught a four pounder.
i am led to believe that most golf course ponds will hold fish, but the hard part is getting permission or at least knowing a member. Otherwise, get ready to put on some dark clothing and become a ninja.
There are five golf courses in my community - all have several ponds each. I haven't a clue as to whether there are any nice fish in them. Fishing is not permitted...and attempting to access them is considered trespassing.
As mentioned above, the FIRST step in golf course pond fishing is to determine if it is possible to get permission to fish them...
Yeah there's a golf course right across the street from my house, and one time my friends and I were looking for golf balls in the woods when we saw a monster bass erupt on a pair of mating dragonflies hovering over the surface. Ever since then, I've wanted to fish it, but they denied me permission when I called .
There are some courses that allow fishing before 7 AM and after 7 PM. I stay at a condo in Pawley's Island, SC that seems to have this policy. I've seen others doing it, but I haven't tried it. There's one in Sunset Beach, NC that allows kayaks and small boats and is accessible form a public road. I've seen people on it too.
You MUST get permission.
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Take up golf and join a course that has ponds
then the bait monkey will have a new friend with his golf equipment ape
Fishing Minnesota,
You have these options and outcomes when considering fishing a golf course pond:
1. Meet with the golf pro and ask for permission to fish on the days the course is closed, usually Mondays. It will be either yes or no.
2. Go and fish the ponds on the days the course is closed. You will either be ignored or asked to leave the property.
Option 1 is the best. While you can do some fishing under Option 2 the local law enforcement may be called and you can receive a ticket for trespassing.
Your choice.
I suggest Option 1.
I fish the ponds at a local C.C., they have nice fish, I've had permission since I was a kid(my parents were members), they do not let non-members fish, and there's no fishing while there are golfers on the course. I really wish they would let me goose hunt, but they're being pretty stubborn on that one. As so much now days, they always site legal liability... blah,blah,blah
If you have permission know the course, fish holes 7-8-9 early morning and holes 1-2-3 late in the day, golfers won't be there. In the event you know some one that fishes a golf pond, don't go there, you might screw it up for them.
FishingMN718m, I am originally from MN, just moved to Florida.
" I was wondering how you even find out if there are fish in golf course ponds and if any of you guys have tried it. "
Generally speaking, there's a good chance any given pond or small body of water has bass in it.
Not sure if you are asking because you want to try it in MN, but MN ponds can't support large fish because during the winter they either freeze completely or run out of oxygen because if the ice and snow cover.
On 7/26/2015 at 3:47 AM, FishingMN718 said:I've been watching these videos on YouTube of these guys fishing on golf course ponds and catching some hogs. I'm pretty sure they are in like Florida or Georgia and that's quite a ways away from Minnesota. I was wondering how you even find out if there are fish in golf course ponds and if any of you guys have tried it.
I'm up here in MA, and I fish course ponds all the time- one of them is a top kayak fishing honey hole. As long as it fits your criteria, is deep enough to hold fish over a long winter and you can get to it without being arrested, do it up. Most of the people aware of these places ignore them because they are there to golf and most fishermen don't really golf and so they aren't aware of them at all.
Use to fish one all of the time when I lived in Lawrence Kansas.. Alvamar golf course.. Matter of fact I have an 8lb Largemouth on my wall from it.. I caught her and a guy who was painting a house on the course saw me catch it and ran to his van to grab a scale. He jammed the hook from the scale into the fish and it started bleeding bad.. It's the reason I had it mounted. . Of course a week later I catch a 10lber. ..
On 7/27/2015 at 11:56 PM, Chris716 said:Use to fish one all of the time when I lived in Lawrence Kansas.. Alvamar golf course.. Matter of fact I have an 8lb Largemouth on my wall from it.. I caught her and a guy who was painting a house on the course saw me catch it and ran to his van to grab a scale. He jammed the hook from the scale into the fish and it started bleeding bad.. It's the reason I had it mounted. . Of course a week later I catch a 10lber. ..
I used to play golf there a lot when I was at KU. Great course. Never did fish it though. I used to catch loads of crappie in the reservoir in town (the name escapes me).
On 7/28/2015 at 12:08 AM, Violinguy said:I used to play golf there a lot when I was at KU. Great course. Never did fish it though. I used to catch loads of crappie in the reservoir in town (the name escapes me).
Clinton Lake? I always use to fish a pond on 15th Street too... that's where I would catch other monster bass..
I've always thought those courses on TV look like a huge waste of good fishing holes. Our local CC has one pond and it's tiny. I could ask permission, but the pond is so small, I could cast and get in the tress on the other side. I already have 4-5 better places.
I'm going to a new one Wednesday that belongs to an older couple at our church.
On 7/28/2015 at 12:25 AM, Chris716 said:Clinton Lake? I always use to fish a pond on 15th Street too... that's where I would catch other monster bass..
Yes, that's it. I was a lot more into golfing than fishing back then, and there was only time for one hobby.
Being from FLA and fishing golf course ponds with permission as a kid/teen, the largest fish I have ever seen in person came from a golf course pond in Jacksonville, FL. The ranger use to pay us no mind when we rented canoes to fish from and most golf course ponds are connected, the best time IMO was right after it rained to fish the incoming of fresh water from the culverts, the bass would stack up and wait kind of like current at a dam. Black curly tail worm Texas rigged was all we ever used. Like it was mentioned before get permission, fish early and fish late. Late was always good because most golfers had left and the front nine ponds where wide open. Also keep in mind any pond you see in a neighborhood or an office complex that has a fountain for looks maybe worth a shot as well, Florida has so many small ponds that are all connected for drainage you would be surprised what you can catch. If I had google earth as a kid there is no telling how many ponds we missed that hold fish within five miles from my house!!
My brother golfs a ton legit and he'll sometimes golf with people who will throw a rod in their golf bag with their clubs. They'll throw a line out into the water hazards while waiting for other people in their foursome to hit their shots and he's told me stories of getting a fish on almost every cast at some courses.
I *think* all bodies of non-flowing water are required to have mosquito fish of sorts to keep the mosquito larvae in check, and I assume they have a whole ecosystem in place that includes carp or catfish to keep the bottom/water clean.
Golf course ponds were an important place for me while I was learning how to fish for bass, I was able to practice a lot of techniques in a stress free environment which tremendously boosted my confidence when fishing other bodies of water as well.
If I was still a kid, I'd ask for a job on the grounds crew as a way to get into the good graces of the pro and the management. Then I'd ask for permission to fish there. If I wasn't granted permission, I wouldn't show up for work again. But, alas, I'm not a kid.
I used to catch decent size large mouths (2-3lbs) out of a golf course pond next to my house. The golf course ponds I fished werent pressured, so the bass would pretty much bite anything. I think the best thing to do would be to just throw a t-rig senko a few times and see if you get any bites. Also, if you see any bluegil around the shoreline, chances are that there are bass in there.
My sister lived on a golf course near Orlando FL and had an irrigation pond in her back yard that was attached to the course via a culvert but not actually on the course. I'd get up in the morning, grab a coffee, and walk out to fish 40 ft from the back door. Plenty of 5+ lb bass in that pond and a few real monsters. My PB, over 12 lbs, came from there while bank fishing. I also caught 2 lb crappie from the pond using 4" tubes and spinnerbaits.
On 7/30/2015 at 8:53 AM, BobP said:My sister lived on a golf course near Orlando FL and had an irrigation pond in her back yard that was attached to the course via a culvert but not actually on the course. I'd get up in the morning, grab a coffee, and walk out to fish 40 ft from the back door. Plenty of 5+ lb bass in that pond and a few real monsters. My PB, over 12 lbs, came from there while bank fishing. I also caught 2 lb crappie from the pond using 4" tubes and spinnerbaits.
i would of moved in with her !!!!!
In the Bayou City, there are some golf courses that hold 10lb. plus bass. Problem is access to these finer courses' ponds is nil unless you're a member of the club or know someone.
The Old School Basser...
I'm a professional golfer from eastern WA. I work at a private country club that has a few ponds. And most courses in my area have 4-6 ponds and let me tell you, They have some big fish in them! Most private courses will not let you fish them BUT if you live near a public course with ponds and you go in the pro shop and ask to fish them before and after hours. Which is usually before 7a.m and after 7p.m than more than likely they will let you. Even some private courses might but it depends on the membership. So if I was you I would go in and talk to the pro. Don't call! Go meet with them. Good luck!
On 7/27/2015 at 11:56 PM, Chris716 said:Use to fish one all of the time when I lived in Lawrence Kansas.. Alvamar golf course.. Matter of fact I have an 8lb Largemouth on my wall from it.. I caught her and a guy who was painting a house on the course saw me catch it and ran to his van to grab a scale. He jammed the hook from the scale into the fish and it started bleeding bad.. It's the reason I had it mounted. . Of course a week later I catch a 10lber. ..
Holly! In Kansas wow
Every golf course I have ever asked had told me no. They always had some kind of reason on why'. One place said something about me getting hit in the head with a golf ball. I told the guy I have a hard hat in my car from work so no problem. I will even throw a vest on so everyone can see me over there. He didn't go for it though
Far and a way the majority of time you are going to be asked to leave, they just don't want you there. If one happened to play a lot of golf and got tight with management staff, in that case they may let someone, some stranger coming off the street, doubtful.
It's funny to read most attack the kid for trying to fish illegally than answer his question LOL. No **** you need permission. Sometimes I think half yall are here to either burst folks bubbles LOL.
I fish one course it has a couple ponds you can access from a walking path and it is a small community course. Of course the golf course part is off limits. I also tend to fish early or late (6-8 am). I know of one community that allows fishing while the course is not in operation. The fish mostly stack up along the banks, there the weeds get kinda overgrown. A popper type bait will get you strikes. Also at culverts, they are your best friend and like the other guy said especially after a rain. Majority of the ponds are weed controlled to various extents. So you gotta find what they like, you get some schooling. It is true that most ponds have some sort of fish for bug control and also weed control in Florida as it is required by most jurisdictions when creating retention ponds. IMO the golf course ponds can fish different because a couple factors like lack of fishing pressure, lack of BIG forage due to the lack of cover sometimes help make these honey holes. You see a lot more top water action, because I think the main eats are frogs, animals, ducklings that venture in versus bait fish. Also tend to chase food more versus a heavy cover bass sit and wait approach.
On 7/27/2015 at 11:56 PM, BillsFan721 said:Use to fish one all of the time when I lived in Lawrence Kansas.. Alvamar golf course.. Matter of fact I have an 8lb Largemouth on my wall from it.. I caught her and a guy who was painting a house on the course saw me catch it and ran to his van to grab a scale. He jammed the hook from the scale into the fish and it started bleeding bad.. It's the reason I had it mounted. . Of course a week later I catch a 10lber. ..
Hey BillsFan721! I live in Lawrence and was actually led to this page because I googled fishing on Alvamar. Could you let me know if you had to get permission? I grew up on Alvamar and never got into fishing until I had moved off of it. Thanks!
On 9/17/2015 at 1:30 AM, xtaticjm said:Hey BillsFan721! I live in Lawrence and was actually led to this page because I googled fishing on Alvamar. Could you let me know if you had to get permission? I grew up on Alvamar and never got into fishing until I had moved off of it. Thanks!
I never asked.. Just always went there and fished it... Lawrence was a great place to live.. I still talk to a bunch of friends that live there still. I Moved away 20 years ago...
Watch out for the Kracken.
I live in north central Florida and there are several golf courses that allow fishing. There is a list that was posted on the internet recently and I will see if I can find it. It is imperative to ask for permission before you fish the ponds. Most of the time they are happy to let you fish if you explain that you are releasing the fish back into the lakes are not dsetroying the surrounding golf course. You also need to remenber the golfers have priority so don't get in their way. I can assure they will not be happy and will complain. DO NOT LEAVE TRASH such as cans, wrappers, and stuff. That will be the end of you fishing there an ruining it for everyone else.
Here in california i have asked many local golf courses to fish the ponds many are fine with it aslong as i stay out of the way of golfers and dont leave a thing behind. Have had some great catches there also 5+ pounders