people asking to fish pond. what to do

[bucktaker]

I dont have a pond but can offer a suggestion. A man near by has a nice pond with a simple rule. Kids only. What that means is with permission I have taken my daughter and my nephews fishing in his stocked pond. But I cant go by myself. No one else is allowed to fish unless they bring a child to teach them to fish. It has been a wonderful experience and we have had good times there. All ways catch and release, always clean up after ourselves and all ways be grateful. We always ask permission and say thank you for the allowing us to fish. He is delighted to see kids learning to fish.

My daughter is now 16 and still enjoys fishing with dad......here is a pic from the local stream this year White Bass

 

[TnAndy]

Neighbor of mine has a pond. He gave a few people the ok to fish it, but it got way out of control. One day he walks down there, asks some guy he doesn't know who gave him permission to fish. Guy says "The Owner!".....the owner being the guy asking the question, and never having met this fellow....... In further questioning, this guy got 'permission' from someone about 3 people downline from the original grantee.

We have a couple of catfish ponds on our place we stock, feed, and harvest for food. Asking to fish would be like asking to 'hunt' my chickens or cows or pigs .....taking our food we have raised for our family......but for some reason when it comes to a body of water, people don't seem to make the same association.

 

[jinman]

I got a nice rain shower last weekend, about 1-1\2". our garden is happy

 

[forgeblast]

Tell them its not a pond but a hog lagoon There are a lot of private ponds, lakes around us, but there are also a lot of public places to fish. Do not feel bad about not wanting the hassle of other people on your lake. People are sue happy.

 

[displacedPA]

They are sue happy and that was my and my wifes concern. I like the kid policy but think ill stick with family only and get the gate put back up. If there is a kid with a parent who ask ill do it by a case by case base.

 

[oosik]

I have a five acre (80feet deep) lake. It has been an on-going source of problems for over 50 years. I keep the lake stocked with rainbow trout. As far back as I can remember this lake has been a problem. Before we lived here and had constructed access folks entered by cutting fences. Both neighbors have lost cattle by being hit on the county road. Now there is constructed access and folks drive right thru the "No Tresspass - No public access etc" signs. They drive right in - park in my yard and don't even have the courtesy to come to the house. The entire lake is contained within my property - i.e. there is no public access.
One major reason I deny access - my insurance co - State Farm - advises that I currently do not have sufficient liability insurance to cover public access to my property and lake. One serious accident would wipe me out.

NO - I greet all unknowns parked in my yard with a loaded 12 gage shot gun. They are politely asked to leave or I immediately call the county sheriff for assistance. I advise them that they are trespassing - they are to remain in their car until the sheriff arrives or if they depart the car I will shoot them.
I have had far too many years of dealing with the obnoxious public to grant access to anybody except select friends. Or to take any BS from any who would trespass.

End of my rant!!

 

[MH8675309]

A sign I saw on the 3 stooges comes to mind - No hunting, No Fishing, No Nothing, Go Home

 

[oosik]

MH8675309 -
Ha, ha - excellent sign. Another is - a 4X8 sheet of plywood painted white - across the top is the outline of a 30-30. Right down the middle it says - We do not call 911. I've seen this sign not far from here.

 

[Buggs67]

MH8675309 -
Ha, ha - excellent sign. Another is - a 4X8 sheet of plywood painted white - across the top is the outline of a 30-30. Right down the middle it says - We do not call 911. I've seen this sign not far from here.

"Trespassers will be shot, Survivors will be prosecuted" my fathers sign.
A target with a few holes and a caption "You are now in range" is good too.

 

[oosik]

One thing to remember regarding this allowing folks to fish in your lake or use your property for any reason. You have just granted public access and are totally liable for any accident that may befall them. And, of course, any law suit they may file due to an accident on your property.